Newly elected congressman Raul Ruiz’s successful bid to take away a seat from a well-known incumbent continues to make headlines.
On Sunday, the website Politico took a look at the near improbable run for the 36th Congressional seat against Mary Bono Mack, widow of the former congressman Sonny Bono, of Sonny and Cher fame.
The site spoke to Ruiz, 40, during his freshman orientation.
“More than anything, it’s a reflection of America,” Ruiz told Politico. “It’s a reflection of changing times that people are electing folks they feel are competent and will represent the issues and values of the country as a whole.”
To read the entire Politico article, click here.
Among the things touched on in the article is the area’s changing demographics.
According to Ruiz’s bio, his is the son of farm workers. Raul grew up in Coachella Valley. He says he realized early on that an education would be key to his future. In the summer of 1990, despite the intense heat of the low-desert, Raul writes that he walked from business to business in the Coachella Valley asking people to invest in their community – by contributing to his education.
“With each investment for college, he made a promise to come back home and serve the community as a physician,” he wrote.
Palm Desert, Banning and Beaumont are all within Ruiz’s new district.
