Dear Editor,

As Mayor of Riverbank, I’ve had the privilege of working closely with families who embody the resilience, hard work, and optimism that define our community. That’s why I’m proud to support Eric Swalwell for Governor of California.

Congressman Swalwell’s story is one that feels familiar to so many of us here. He comes from a working-class family and is now raising a young family of his own. He understands what it means to worry about rising costs, to think about the kind of schools your children will attend, and to want a safe, stable future for your family. These aren’t abstract policy issues to him, they’re deeply personal.

In Congress, he has proven himself to be a strong advocate for communities that too often feel overlooked. He has stood up for working families and fought to protect vulnerable populations. At a time when so many Californians feel uncertainty and anxiety, that is the kind of leadership that matters.

What stands out most to me is Congressman Swalwell’s willingness to listen and his experience in local office as a Councilmember. He engages directly with people and is eager to turn those conversations into meaningful action and he knows what it means at a local level. That’s the kind of leadership we need in Sacramento — grounded, responsive, and focused on results.

California is at a crossroads. We need a governor who not only understands the challenges we face but is ready to fight for solutions that work for everyone, including our voices here in Riverbank.

I’m proud to support Congressman Swalwell, and I know he will deliver for communities, like Riverbank, and across our state. With uncertainty facing us at every turn, I invite you to support him as well so that we have a support system at the highest level of our state in Eric Swalwell.

Respectfully,

Mayor Rachel Hernandez