Southern California’s Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities have a true ally in
GEORGE WHITESIDES
George Whitesides is running in California’s 27th Congressional District. Not sure if you’re registered to vote? Click here >>
MEET GEORGE WHITESIDES:
A bold, new leader running to represent our families in Southern California.
As the first CEO of Virgin Galactic, George Whitesides created 700 jobs in the Antelope Valley and flew the first woman to space on a commercial space vehicle. Over his time as CEO, George grew the company from a small team to the global aerospace firm it is today.
In Congress, George will use his background in science and business to make life better for the residents of LA County, including creating high-paying local jobs, fighting the climate crisis, and protecting a woman’s right to choose.
This November, we have the chance to elect George Whitesides, a proven leader and problem-solver for LA County!
Asian Democrats of Los Angeles County
✓
California Democratic Party
✓
California Labor Federation
✓
SEIU California
✓
California Teachers Association
✓
National Union of Healthcare Workers
✓
International Association of Fire Fighters
✓
League of Conservation Voters
✓
California Environmental Voters
✓
Los Angeles County Democratic Party
✓
Santa Clarita Valley Democrats
✓
Equality California
✓
Asian Democrats of Los Angeles County ✓ California Democratic Party ✓ California Labor Federation ✓ SEIU California ✓ California Teachers Association ✓ National Union of Healthcare Workers ✓ International Association of Fire Fighters ✓ League of Conservation Voters ✓ California Environmental Voters ✓ Los Angeles County Democratic Party ✓ Santa Clarita Valley Democrats ✓ Equality California ✓
George is endorsed by:
This will be one of the closest congressional races in the country.
The stakes for this election are high. George’s opponent, Republican incumbent Mike Garcia, is a far-right extremist who:
Wants to ban abortion nationwide – with no exceptions.
Voted against bipartisan solutions to the border crisis.
Voted against stopping corporations from price gouging us at the grocery store and gas pump.
We can’t let Garcia win again.
Your vote can impact the outcome of this race. This fall, let’s encourage our friends and families to get out and vote for George Whitesides so we can send bold, new leadership to Congress!
What issues matter most to you?
Economy, Jobs, & Small Businesses
George Whitesides will get our economy back on track:
George Whitesides is a successful, pragmatic businessman with an economic vision to help California families. His plan will:
Create high-paying, local jobs: As CEO of Virgin Galactic, George helped turn a small company into a global firm, creating 700 jobs in the Antelope Valley. His leadership is what we need to create jobs right here in our community and reduce commuting hours for so many families. He will work to cultivate accelerator programs to support the development of small and mid-sized businesses in the district, and prioritize infrastructure projects to attract new businesses and enhance our region’s competitiveness.
Lower the cost of living: Right now, greedy corporations are raising prices for essentials like gas and groceries while reporting record profits. This price gouging hurts California families – and George will fight for that to end.
Help homeowners and small businesses: George has spent his career solving problems. He has the experience we need to get housing and fire insurance costs under control, cut taxes for homeowners, and expand opportunities for small businesses.
But his opponent is just looking out for himself:
In contrast, Mike Garcia is a corrupt extremist with an extensive record of putting himself before the California families he’s supposed to represent:
Garcia voted to allow corporations to price gouge us: Garcia’s economic record is disgraceful. Time after time, he prioritized corporate greed over our families, voting against both the Consumer Fuel Price Gouging Prevention Act and the Inflation Reduction Act that helped lower inflation and get our economy back on track.
Garcia continues to lie about his record: Garcia bragged about working to secure $15 million for our community – except the truth is far more sinister. While he was excited to publicly champion this “accomplishment”, he was actively working behind the scenes to make sure it didn’t happen. In fact, he voted against the very legislation that secured those funds.
Garcia got caught cheating the system: Within months of taking office, Garcia sold the stock of a company his congressional committee was investigating, making sure to look out for his own wallet. He then violated the law by failing to report these stock trades until after his re-election. We deserve better than someone who’s just using his position to make himself rich.
This election, the choice is clear: We need to say no to Mike Garcia’s corruption and elect an economic leader like George Whitesides in his place!
Immigration & Border Security
George Whitesides will work across the aisle to secure the border and fix our broken immigration system:
As a pragmatic business leader, George knows that lasting solutions require working with everyone - even those you disagree with. He will fight to improve border security by making meaningful investments in advanced technology, hiring more border patrol agents, and developing physical infrastructure where needed.
And he will work toward ongoing immigration reform that strengthens our economy and is true to our history as a nation of immigrants.
His opponent, Mike Garcia, cares more about playing politics than addressing the actual border crisis:
Garcia – despite making the border crisis a central theme of this election – opposed a bipartisan bill that would restrict border crossings, increase Border Patrol funding, and provide a pathway to citizenship for those who contribute to our economy. It’s clear he would rather let the problem get worse than actually work to fix it.
Not only that, but Garcia publicly supported a false, dehumanizing narrative peddled by Trump, suggesting that Asian immigrants are here in the U.S. to build an army and attack our country. Not only is this completely unfounded, but it is downright dangerous for our community.
Our leaders should be working toward real solutions to the crisis at the border, not fueling the flame of racism and hatred that puts our lives at risk.
Housing and Homelessness
George Whitesides is ready to get to work to address housing affordability & homelessness.
George learned a thing or two about developing innovative solutions while working as NASA Chief of Staff. That’s why he’s proposing a brand new program that aims to make homeownership more accessible by cutting taxes for homeowners, and will simultaneously help renters by cracking down on predatory landlords.
George believes in the power of mixed-income neighborhoods. He supports both public and private investments in affordable housing projects, ensuring that people from all backgrounds have access to safe, stable, and affordable housing opportunities. This approach ensures that everyone benefits from a diverse and thriving community.
Crime & Public Safety
George Whitesides has a plan to fight gang violence and mass shootings:
In Congress, George will fight for common sense gun safety legislation to get weapons of war off our streets and out of the hands of dangerous people. His commitment to this critical issue is recognized with endorsements by leading gun safety organizations in the country, including Moms Demand Action and the Giffords PAC.
George has a deep respect for law enforcement and recognizes the important work they do to keep our community safe. He supports increasing funding for local law enforcement to do their job, and will work toward investing in new technology to enhance public safety.
His opponent keeps voting against funding law enforcement:
Republican Mike Garcia repeatedly voted against keeping our community safe by refusing to increase funding for law enforcement. His disrespect for law enforcement goes even further – he even referred to the Capitol Police (who protected our democracy against violent insurrectionists) as “the Gestapo.”
Not only that, Garcia has proven he cares more about lining his own pockets than about protecting our kids’ safety. While our children practice active shooter drills in schools, Garcia received thousands of dollars from the gun lobby. It is clear that our kids’ safety is not his priority.
Only one candidate in this race will fight to keep our community safe. This November, vote for George Whitesides!
Reproductive Rights
When it comes to abortion rights, LA County has a choice to make this year:
George Whitesides Believes Women Should Decide
George Whitesides believes that decisions over family planning should be made by women, their families, and their doctors — not politicians. As a fierce advocate for women’s rights, George will fight to defend access to IVF, abortion, and contraception both here in California and nationwide.
And he is proud to be endorsed by Planned Parenthood and Reproductive Freedom for All (formerly NARAL).
His Opponent Would Put Women’s Health At Risk
Mike Garcia is a far-right extremist who backed multiple bills to ban abortion nationwide – with no exceptions.
Garcia has cosponsored multiple bills that would restrict access to reproductive health and IVF, and threaten access to contraceptives.
In this race, the choice is simple: Women deserve the freedom to determine their own health care decisions. George Whitesides will fight for that freedom.
Affordable Health Care
George Whitesides will work tirelessly to make health care costs more affordable.
George knows that affordable health care is a critical issue for working families and believes we need to do more, not less, to drive down costs. He will fight to lower health care and drug prices and protect critical, life-saving programs like Medicare. He’s also passionate about protecting the mental health of our teens, and has committed to tackling cyberbullying and other online safety risks.
Meanwhile, Garcia wants to repeal the Affordable Care Act.
The Affordable Care Act provides 1.7 million Californians with affordable and accessible coverage and protects those with pre-existing conditions, allowing them to get affordable health insurance for the first time. But Garcia doesn’t care – he’d rather destroy the ACA to score cheap political points than do what’s best for this community.
This fall, we have the chance to vote for a leader who will work to make our lives better.