Elizabeth Fenner for US Congress District 37

I believe today’s elected leaders often don’t do enough to understand their communities or know what they care about. The job title says it all — Congress members are supposed to represent the people. Standing strong for the viewpoints and priorities of the people of California’s 37th district — being your voice in Congress — will be my top priority. Our community is incredibly diverse, and we will not always agree, but I promise to treat everyone with respect, to celebrate our differences, and to bring people together whenever I can — to listen, to share, and to build trust, so we can solve problems together and build communities where everyone can thrive. And when I know what dreams you have, and what barriers stand in your way — I will carry those priorities to Washington, D.C. — I know together we can make real change happen.

Air pollution has harmed the health of Los Angeles residents for decades, and the problem continues today despite progress from California’s strong environmental laws and cleaner-burning gasoline. Wildfires such as the Palisades and Eaton Fires recently blanketed the 37th District with smoke, compromising the health of all residents who risk long-term chronic respiratory problems. In addition to respiratory issues, residents of CA-37, especially South and East LA, face rising rates of heart disease, heat-related illness, and mental health stress linked to environmental hazards. Noise pollution, limited access to green space, and exposure to toxic chemicals also drag us down. Clean air and public health are among my top priorities. Everyone benefits from a clean environment, and we have the technology to make it a reality. We just have to prioritize health.

Everyone deserves to feel safe in their own community, with the freedom to walk to the store, take their kids to school, exercise in the park or along the streets, or spend time outdoors, all without fear. When people don’t feel safe, we can feel confined to our homes, leading to less exercise, less connection with friends and neighbors, resulting in a lower quality of life.  There are many things that can go into making a neighborhood feel unsafe: excessive traffic and reckless drivers, gang violence, gun violence, and unlawful immigration raids. The government has a responsibility to create safe streets, safe neighborhoods and ensure residents who live peacefully can live without fear. There are many practical steps we can take to make our streets safer, and along with health, I will prioritize safety, and work closely with you on the details you think will make a difference.