Footer

Headline Text Here

Celeste Rodriguez works every day to solve challenges and respond to San Fernando Valley residents' needs. She understands firsthand the hardships working families face. As a public servant for over a decade and the Mayor of San Fernando, Celeste has tackled tough issues and delivers resources for affordable housing, community safety, healthcare, and services for veterans, seniors, and children.<img src="https://run.imgix.net/44ced7e5-ce82-4664-88e1-c2f3bf2e7796/fb7338a6-e6f2-4903-aa8d-276a253ac482/fb7338a6-e6f2-4903-aa8d-276a253ac482.jpeg?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=0%2C0%2C2560%2C1707&amp;w=1500" alt="" caption="" align="left" alignwidth="42" variant="base">As your Assemblymember, Celeste will work to create meaningful, long-lasting solutions that lead to better futures for all of us.Northeast Valley Born and RaisedCeleste's upbringing shaped her understanding of the struggles and triumphs Northeast Valley families experience. Celeste's family immigrated from Mexico to Pacoima. She and her siblings were raised in the Northeast Valley, from North Hills to Sylmar and all the neighborhoods in between. Growing up, Celeste’s parents ingrained in her the values of service and social justice. Her father helped found the Cesar Chavez March for Justice, which Celeste has attended with her father since she was a young girl, while her mother worked for the Regional Center to provide services for Californians with developmental disabilities. Determined to build a better future for her children, Celeste's mom fought to get her children into the best magnet programs LAUSD offered. The quality public education her mother tirelessly advocated for is what opened the door to better opportunities for Celeste’s future.While attending James Monroe High School in North Hills, Celeste developed a passion for advocacy and service. As part of the Santa Rosa de Lima youth group, she volunteered to collect food and traveled to distribute toys at Posadas in Tijuana. She also joined Students Together Organizing Peace, the youth arm of LA Commission on Assaults Against Women (now Peace Over Violence), where she served as a peer educator and a mentor to middle school students.Celeste helped her family navigate economic and housing insecurity when her mother experienced a workplace injury. She began working for the City of San Fernando while attending LA Mission College. After earning her Associate's Degree, she transferred to San Diego State University, where she graduated with her Bachelor's Degree in Economics. While at SDSU, Celeste joined a student-led organization that advocated for higher education funding and against drastic budget cuts to the Cal State University system.At age 24, Celeste became a living kidney donor to help save her oldest brother's life, who had been on dialysis for over five years. Her family reflected on this life-changing decision when she walked alongside the OneLegacy float in the 2024 Tournament of Roses Parade.Dedicated to Lifting Families Out of PovertyCeleste Rodriguez is focused on creating and implementing cradle-to-career policies that improve outcomes for our community members.After graduating college, Celeste joined the Los Angeles Mayor's Homelessness Services Team, where she focused on prevention and helped connect unhoused veterans with much needed resources they earned from their service. She continued this work while earning her Master's in Social Work from USC.As the LA Mayor's Deputy Director of Community Development Strategies, she led efforts to provide support services and economic development opportunities throughout the city. Celeste oversaw the development and implementation of financial empowerment and poverty alleviation initiatives at the Community Investment for Families Department including LA's Guaranteed Basic Income pilot and Free Child Savings Accounts, which help families save for college. She was responsible for the Family Source Center System and Survivor Services, networks of nonprofits that support the city's most vulnerable families with emergency services, stability assistance, and generational wealth building.<img src="https://run.imgix.net/44ced7e5-ce82-4664-88e1-c2f3bf2e7796/efe14d77-4318-4a37-92a0-57aa97ac8191/efe14d77-4318-4a37-92a0-57aa97ac8191.jpeg?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=0%2C0%2C2560%2C1920&amp;w=1500" alt="" caption="" align="right" alignwidth="40" variant="base">In November 2020, Celeste was elected to the San Fernando City Council. As San Fernando's Mayor, Celeste ensures residents have a voice in their local government by establishing a public engagement policy, translation services, and childcare for community meetings—all firsts for the city. Celeste works to ensure economic stability in her community by distributing food to families in need and creating a Social Services Coordinator and Economic Development position to help residents access and navigate city resources. She has led the creation of a Community and Business Resource Center in City Hall and helped small businesses access grant funding. Celeste spearheaded the effort on San Fernando's Homelessness Action Plan and advocated for a dedicated Housing Coordinator and an outreach team.Celeste has volunteered with the Cesar Chavez Commemorative Committee of the San Fernando Valley, an organization her father helped found 30 years ago. The Committee established the Cesar E. Chavez March for Justice in the Northeast Valley and aims to teach youth about Chavez’s legacy.Celeste serves on Comisión Femenil of the San Fernando Valley, an all-volunteer, 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for Latinas, their families, and their communities through education, leadership development, and community involvement.Celeste lives in San Fernando, where she and her husband, Robert, are raising their two children. In their spare time, they play charades, have living room dance parties, and play at their local parks.<img src="https://run.imgix.net/44ced7e5-ce82-4664-88e1-c2f3bf2e7796/5e3404b6-f5d8-425e-a31e-e580ad0cd803/5e3404b6-f5d8-425e-a31e-e580ad0cd803.jpeg?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=0%2C476%2C1707%2C1659&amp;w=1500" alt="" caption="" align="center" alignwidth="27" variant="base">

Text

Issues Post

Volunteer

Header

Endorse Celeste

Dozens of local organizations and leaders are standing together!

Your Name for Political Office

CALIFORNIA NURSES

AMERICAN DIABETES

1199 SEIU

NURSES 2

Logos

About Celeste

Celeste's Endorsements

Campaign News &amp; Announcements

News Post

Endorser Title

Endorser Name

Headshots

Events Post

Celeste's experience and long-term commitment to our community has earned her the endorsement of community leaders, organizations, and labor unions. Please fill out the form to provide your public endorsement.

Endorse Celeste Rodriguez for Assembly

Long Form

Celeste has earned endorsements from a growing coalition of elected officials, organizations, community leaders, and neighbors supporting her campaign for State Assembly.

Celeste's Endorsements

U.S. Senator Alex Padilla

Testimonials

Please fill out the endorsement questionnaire to be considered for endorsement by Assemblymember Rodriguez. Once completely accurately, Assemblymember Rodriguez will be in touch regarding next steps.

Endorsement Questionnaire

Events

Request an Endorsement

Website Privacy Policy

<h3>As a community volunteer, San Fernando Mayor, and economic empowerment advocate, Celeste Rodriguez has been on the front lines fighting to meet the needs of underserved communities and lift up working families, seniors, and children throughout the San Fernando Valley.</h3><img src="https://run.imgix.net/44ced7e5-ce82-4664-88e1-c2f3bf2e7796/fb7338a6-e6f2-4903-aa8d-276a253ac482/fb7338a6-e6f2-4903-aa8d-276a253ac482.jpeg?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=0%2C0%2C2560%2C1707&amp;w=1500" alt="" caption="" align="left" alignwidth="47.5" variant="base">Serving as Mayor and throughout her life in public service, Celeste has worked to improve the quality of life in communities by creating policies and programs that respond to people’s needs. She brings her passion for service and social justice to her work as well as a wealth of experience designing, funding and implementing programs.&nbsp;In San Fernando, Celeste has ensured community members have a voice in their local government by establishing a public engagement policy, translation services and childcare for community meetings- firsts for the city.&nbsp; Celeste has also worked to ensure economic stability for residents and businesses to build a path for community wealth: she led a small business grant program to support recovery from the pandemic as well as food distribution program. To permanently support residents and businesses, Celeste led the creation of a Community and Business Resource Center in City Hall and created a Social Services Coordinator and Economic Development position to support the community in accessing and navigating resources.&nbsp; She has also championed the creation of a financial coaching program and dry food bank. To address homelessness, Celeste created a Homelessness Ad Hoc, Homelessness Action Plan, and successfully advocated for the city to contract an outreach team, create a housing division and establish a Housing Coordinator position. Centering community voice has guided Celeste’s work.<img src="https://run.imgix.net/44ced7e5-ce82-4664-88e1-c2f3bf2e7796/2f4466e5-720a-4294-aee4-f9871c373ded/2f4466e5-720a-4294-aee4-f9871c373ded.jpeg?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=0%2C0%2C2560%2C1920&amp;w=1500" alt="" caption="" align="right" alignwidth="50" variant="base">Prior to serving as Mayor of San Fernando, Celeste Rodriguez led the Community Services Section of the Los Angeles Community Investment for Families Department (CIFD). In this role, she oversaw the development and implementation of financial empowerment and poverty alleviation initiatives including LA’s Guaranteed Basic Income pilot and children’s savings account program, both currently the largest programs of their kind in the nation. She also managed an incredible team of 20 employees, supporting over 50 contractual partnerships to administer the local Los Angeles safety net including the FamilySource Center System and Survivor Services, networks of nonprofits working to support the city’s most vulnerable families with emergency services, stability support, and the accumulation of wealth.Celeste also managed homelessness prevention initiatives and oversaw the Homelessness Services Team for the former Los Angeles Housing and Community Investment Department (HCID), coordinating contracts and funding for homeless relief efforts in Los Angeles. She has served as the Racial Equity Officer for both HCID and CIFD, developing strategic plans for meeting the city’s race equity goals. Rodriguez previously served as Deputy Director of Community Development Strategies for the Office of Mayor Garcetti where she helped initiate many of the programs she implemented and led the development of the Mayor’s Consolidated Plan to provide support services, capital improvement projects, and economic development opportunities in underserved communities throughout LA.Mayor Rodriguez has a bachelor’s degree in economics and Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Southern California. She is raising her two children with her husband, Robert.<img src="https://run.imgix.net/44ced7e5-ce82-4664-88e1-c2f3bf2e7796/6ca1b7e2-3563-4320-8c55-96c8857baca8/6ca1b7e2-3563-4320-8c55-96c8857baca8.jpeg?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=0%2C0%2C800%2C482&amp;w=1500" alt="" caption="" align="center" alignwidth="32.5" variant="base">

Elected Officials

Labor Organizations

Other Organizations

Lists

<h2>Assembly District 43</h2><img src="https://run.imgix.net/44ced7e5-ce82-4664-88e1-c2f3bf2e7796/ce899be1-5918-462d-b99f-e8bfacd0fcdf/ce899be1-5918-462d-b99f-e8bfacd0fcdf.png?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=0%2C0%2C413%2C480&amp;w=1500" alt="" caption="" align="center" alignwidth="32" variant="base">California State Assembly District 43 includes portions of Los Angeles County, including the City of San Fernando and the East San Fernando Valley communities of:<ul><li>Arleta</li><li>Lake View Terrace</li><li>Mission Hills</li><li>North Hills</li><li>North Hollywood</li><li>Pacoima</li><li>Panorama City</li><li>Sun Valley</li><li>Sylmar</li><li>Valley Glen</li></ul>Not sure if you're eligible to vote in this race? Check your registration information below:<a href="https://voterstatus.sos.ca.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" style="color: var(--color-text-accent-primary)">VoterStatus.SOS.CA.gov</a>

Intro to the testimonials can be written here.

Testimonials Here

Endorser Name

Share your ideas for the future of our community.&nbsp;Fill out the form and our team will reach out to you shortly. We look forward to hearing from you!Connect with the campaign: <a href="mailto:celeste@votecelesterodriguez.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">celeste@votecelesterodriguez.com</a>

firstName

lastName

email

phoneNumber

zipOrPostalCode

textarea

Connect with Celeste

<h2>How to handle donations on your website</h2>Run does not process donations directly on our platform, as is standard with most political and advocacy sites. Sign up with a dedicated donation processor and then on your Pages sidebar, click the Link icon on the Donate page and add the link to your donation page. Some common options for donation processing include:<ul><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://secure.actblue.com/">ActBlue</a></li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://goodchange.app/">GoodChange</a></li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://numero.ai/">Numero.ai</a></li></ul>

About CA State Assembly District 43

Get Involved and Help Elect Celeste Rodriguez to the State Assembly!

Campaign Events

Events

Celeste is proud to have received the following endorsements for her campaign for California State Assembly.

Celeste Rodriguez for State Assembly

Assemblymember Luz Rivas

Congressmember Tony Cardenas

"I've&nbsp;dedicated my life to public service&nbsp;because I don’t want anyone to struggle to meet their basic needs in ways that my family did. Our communities deserve the opportunity to thrive. With over&nbsp;15 years of experience&nbsp;creating programs to help our community, I see where state policies – even the most well-intentioned ones – are falling short of providing people with what they need.As Assemblymember for the Northeast Valley, I’ve fought hard to deliver solutions to the problems that have long plagued our community. I’ll continue to push for policies that are responsive in times of crisis, protect families from being torn apart, and open real doors to stability and opportunity. I’ll keep showing up for the Northeast Valley to make sure our government actually works for the people it’s meant to serve.

Page Intro

Neighbors are coming together and supporting Celeste Rodriguez for State Assembly. Collaboration is key to making a positive impact,&nbsp;you are&nbsp;invited to&nbsp;get involved in our grassroots campaign.Sign up to volunteer today!

Elect Celeste Rodriguez to the State Assembly

Celeste's Priorities

Donate

CONGRESSMEMBER

Tony Cardenas

CA State Assemblymember

Luz Rivas

Los Angeles mayor

Karen Bass

Growing up with a single parent, Celeste experienced economic, housing, and food insecurity firsthand. She has dedicated her life to public service because she doesn't want anyone to struggle to have their basic needs met.As our State Assemblymember, Celeste has passed legislation to keep families together, help people recover from crisis, and open pathways to opportunity for young people. She’s working to make sure families in the Northeast Valley have the same shot at stability and opportunity as everyone else in California.

Priorities for Our Communities

Issues

Growing up with a single parent, Celeste has experienced economic instability – like housing and food insecurity – first hand. She has dedicated her life to public service because she doesn't want anyone to struggle to meet their basic needs. Instead, Celeste wants people to have opportunities to thrive.

Your contributions help us reach more voters.

Your donations power our grassroots campaign!

List item, description

List Title

Meet Celeste

Tell your audience why they should sign up. Make it inspiring or simply make it direct. On the sidebar options, make sure to set up where form submissions go - the simplest is email, but your form can also be linked to various other services.

Get Involved

Endorsements

Contact Celeste

So much is happening right now. Write a couple lines to get your readers excited for it.

Latest Campaign Developments

News

<h4>We understand the importance of protecting your personal information. This Privacy Policy describes how we collect, use, and disclose your personal information when you use our website. By using our website, you consent to the collection and use of your personal information as described in this Privacy Policy.</h4>You consent to our communicating with you about&nbsp;Celeste Rodriguez for Assembly 2026&nbsp;by&nbsp;SMS, text message, email or other electronic means. Your carrier’s normal messaging, data and other rates and fees will apply to these communications.<ul><li>If you subscribe to any text programs that Celeste Rodriguez for Assembly 2026&nbsp;makes available, the following terms apply: By subscribing to Celeste Rodriguez for Assembly 2026 updates or alerts, you consent to receive periodic updates or alerts by automatic text message. Text STOP to stop. For Help, text HELP or contact us via email.&nbsp;Message and data rates may apply.</li><li>You acknowledge and agree that you may opt-out of receiving further mobile messages via any opt-out keywords that are universally recognized, including, but not limited to, STOP, UNSUBSCRIBE, or QUIT.&nbsp;</li></ul>Collection of Personal InformationWhen you visit our website, we may collect certain personal information from you, including your name, email address, phone number, and other contact information. We may also collect other information about your usage of our website, such as your IP address, browser type, and operating system.&nbsp;When you provide us with your mobile phone number to opt in to receive messages, we will use it solely for the purpose of communicating with you. We do not share, sell, rent, or disclose your mobile opt-in data, consent, or personal information to any third parties for marketing or promotional purposes. Your mobile information will only be used to send you campaign updates, alerts, and other related communications that you have agreed to receive.Use of Personal InformationWe may use your personal information to:<ul><li>Provide and improve our website and services</li><li>Respond to your inquiries and requests</li><li>Communicate with you about our services, promotions, and events</li><li>Personalize your experience on our website</li><li>Analyze and monitor usage of our website</li><li>Comply with legal obligations</li><li>Disclosure of Personal Information</li></ul>We may disclose your personal information to third-party service providers who assist us in providing our services, such as hosting providers, payment processors, and analytics providers. We may also disclose your personal information if required by law or to protect our legal rights.&nbsp;Cookies and Other Tracking TechnologiesWe may use cookies and other tracking technologies to collect information about your usage of our website and to personalize your experience. You can choose to accept or decline cookies. If you decline cookies, some features of our website may not be available to you.&nbsp;Security of Personal InformationWe take reasonable measures to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, disclosure, and use. However, no security measures are perfect, and we cannot guarantee the security of your personal information.Children's PrivacyOur website is not intended for children under the age of 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under the age of 13. If we become aware that we have collected personal information from a child under the age of 13, we will take steps to delete the information as soon as possible.Changes to this Privacy PolicyWe may update this Privacy Policy from time to time by posting a new version on our website. We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically.

Volunteer

Celeste Rodriguez

Full Width Media

Community Champion Delivering Results for the Northeast Valley

Sign up below to stay connected with the camapaign.

Let's Re-Elect Celeste to the State Assembly!

<h3>Contribute now to support our campaign!</h3>

Landing Popup

Celeste's Endorsements

Join Us

Celeste Rodriguez is running for State Assembly to deliver results for our community. Join our campaign today!

Celeste Rodriguez for Assembly

Endorsements

Meet Celeste

Home

About

Request Endorsement

District 43

Celeste is running to deliver results for our community. Join our campaign today!

Contact

Endorsers

Privacy Policy

Endorse Celeste

Join us to get out the vote and encourage our neighbors to vote for Celeste Rodriguez for Assembly! We will send a Zoom link to volunteers before the phone bank begins.

Phone Bank - October 22nd

Celeste Rodriguez is the proud alumni of LAUSD public schools, community colleges, and the California State University. Access to quality public education helped create better opportunities for her future.She believes every Californian deserves the same opportunity.Celeste is committed to creating cradle-to-career policies that improve our community through investment in education and career training programs. She strongly believes in the value of making higher education accessible to all, regardless of socioeconomic background. Funding our schools and colleges is an investment in our collective future and allows us to develop a skilled workforce, foster innovation, and address inequality.&nbsp;That’s why as Assemblymember she has championed policies that expand opportunity beyond the traditional classroom. Celeste passed legislation allowing continuation school students to spend part of their week in paid workforce programs learning trades, building skills, and earning money, while still finishing school.<ul><li>Increase funding for public universities and schools, especially Northeast Valley K-12 schools.</li><li>Reduce student debt by fighting to decrease the cost of public universities and community colleges.</li><li>Fund and support programs aimed at tackling systemic racism and advocate for diverse faculty recruitment and development.&nbsp;</li><li>Support the development of community-based, restorative approaches to campus safety</li><li>Ensure that higher education remains an affordable opportunity for all students and their families.</li></ul>

Investing in education &amp; career training programs

Write a short blurb about an issue your campaign is highlighting. Try to keep the text a similar size between the various issue blurbs.

Education and Safe Learning Environments

Phonebank - October 24

<h5>Rodriguez Builds Momentum With Growing Support</h5>SAN FERNANDO, CA –&nbsp;Just days after formally launching her campaign for Assembly District 43, San Fernando Mayor Celeste Rodriguez announced a major endorsement from Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas.In announcing his support, Speaker Rivas issued the following statement:“Mayor Celeste Rodriguez is a dedicated public servant who comes from humble beginnings,” Speaker Rivas said. “She will be a vital voice in Sacramento to elevate the needs of families in the Northeast San Fernando Valley. I am proud to endorse her!”Assembly District 43 includes the city of San Fernando, and the City of Los Angeles neighborhoods of Pacoima, Sylmar, Arleta, Panorama City and Sun Valley. The Assembly seat is open given the November 20 announcement from the incumbent, Assemblywoman Luz Rivas, that she will not seek re-election in order to run for the Congressional seat now held by retiring Congressmember Tony Cardenas.The Speaker’s endorsement is the latest in a series of early endorsements for Mayor Rodriguez, including Congressman Tony Cardenas, Assemblymember Luz Rivas, and Senator Caroline Menjivar, all of whom represent the San Fernando Valley. Rodriguez has also earned early support from Assemblymember Pilar Schiavo, Los Angeles Councilmember Monica Rodriguez and IBEW Local 11.Mayor Celeste Rodriguez was first elected to the San Fernando City Council in November 2020 and has served as Mayor since December 2022. The daughter of immigrants, Rodriguez is a dynamic local leader who has made government more accessible, worked to reduce homelessness, and has advocated for small businesses and community development.

If you want to link an external news source, use the “link” icons on the sidebar. Anything linked externally will automatically be listed <a target="_blank" href="">as “new</a>s” and any article you create on the site itself will automatically be listed as a “press release.”

Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has b

Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas Endorses Mayor Celeste Rodriguez for Assembly District 43

<img src="https://run.imgix.net/44ced7e5-ce82-4664-88e1-c2f3bf2e7796/d0d02593-1f5f-4dcf-806c-94a769a0674a/d0d02593-1f5f-4dcf-806c-94a769a0674a.jpeg?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=0%2C0%2C2560%2C1707&amp;w=1500" alt="" caption="" align="left" alignwidth="50" variant="base">Celeste understands how quickly families can fall into crisis — and how hard it is to climb back out.Before elected office, Celeste worked on the Los Angeles Homelessness Services Team and with the Los Angeles Housing and Community Investment Department (HCID) on homelessness prevention efforts across Los Angeles, managing programs and coordinating funding to keep people housed.As a San Fernando Mayor, she created “Kids First,” a program supporting homeless families living in motels — connecting them to food, school support, and the services needed to transition into permanent housing.In the Assembly, Celeste is working to expand that impact by fighting for:<ul><li>Emergency rental assistance and eviction prevention</li><li>Mixed-income housing development and zoning reforms</li><li>Supportive services, including mental health care for those experiencing homelessness</li><li>Long-term solutions that treat housing as a human need, not a privilege</li></ul>

Making strides in addressing California’s housing crisis

Homelessness and Affordable Housing

Celeste understands how quickly families can fall into crisis. Housing and food insecurity doesn’t happen in isolation — it affects everything. When rent becomes impossible, when a family loses their home, when a mother can’t access care, when childcare costs more than a paycheck, stability slips away fast.In the State Assembly, Celeste is continuing to fight for real solutions that keep families stable through programs like emergency rental assistance, eviction prevention, affordable housing development, and supportive services like CalFresh.Families need more than survival – they deserve support to build a foundation.In the State Assembly, Celeste will push to expand maternal health access so that no mother is left without care during pregnancy or postpartum, and no family is forced to navigate one of life’s most vulnerable moments alone. She knows that childcare is not a luxury — it’s what allows parents to work, children to learn, and families to stay afloat. That’s why she is committed to strengthening childcare systems, supporting providers, and expanding access to affordable, reliable care for working families across the Northeast Valley.

Families deserve support to build a foundation

Family Stability, Maternal Health, and Childcare

Celeste Rodriguez works every day to ensure her community has the same access to resources and opportunities as every Californian.&nbsp;&nbsp;In Sacramento, Celeste is continuing that work by advocating for programs that expand access to capital for small businesses, strengthen safety net resources for families in crisis, and ensure economic growth is inclusive — not something that leaves the Northeast Valley behind.

Supporting policies that drive economic stability &amp; growth

Economic Opportunity for All

<h5>SAN FERNANDO MAYOR ENTERS ASSEMBLY RACE TO REPRESENT THE NORTHEAST SAN FERNANDO VALLEY</h5>SAN FERNANDO, CA –&nbsp;Today, San Fernando City Mayor Celeste Rodriguez announced her campaign for the 43rd Assembly District, which includes the city of San Fernando, and the City of Los Angeles neighborhoods of Pacoima, Sylmar, Arleta, Panorama City and Sun Valley. The Assembly seat is open given the announcement from the incumbent, Assemblywoman Luz Rivas, that she will not seek re-election in order to run for the Congressional seat now held by retiring Congressmember Tony Cardenas.“Our community needs resources and for Sacramento policies to meet families where they are,” said Mayor Celeste Rodriguez. “I am proud to step forward to serve as a voice for the Northeast Valley and am honored and humbled that so many Valley leaders and stakeholders are uniting behind my campaign.”“I’m proud to support Celeste Rodriguez to represent the Valley in the state Assembly,” said Congressmember Cardenas. “Celeste is a hard-working, experienced leader who has fought tirelessly for the Valley and will continue fighting for us in Sacramento so that we get our fair share of state resources.”Celeste has dedicated her life to public service. She began her career working in local government helping families access vital public services.&nbsp; Most recently, she worked for the City of Los Angeles where she focused on homelessness policy, community development, and financial empowerment initiatives. Rodriguez led the implementation of the Los Angeles’ Guaranteed Basic Income pilot and children’s savings account program, both the largest programs of their kind in the nation.“Celeste has a proven record of getting things done for Valley residents, and I know she’ll never stop working to make sure every child has a shot at the American Dream,” said Assemblywoman Luz Rivas.“I’m thrilled that Celeste Rodriguez is running for Assembly.&nbsp; I have had the pleasure of working with her in various capacities and she would make a great partner in Sacramento to deliver the resources needed in the valley,” said State Senator Caroline Menjivar.Celeste was first elected to the San Fernando City Council in November 2020 and in December of 2022 she was selected to serve as Mayor.&nbsp; In this capacity, she has ensured residents have a voice in their local government by establishing new public engagement policies, translation services and childcare for community meetings — firsts for the city of San Fernando.&nbsp; In addition, she has worked to ensure economic stability for families and for businesses to have access to capital and technical assistance.&nbsp; Celeste is the daughter of an immigrant and has been inspired by her parents’ dedication to social justice. Centering community voices has guided Celeste’s work.Rodriguez’s campaign includes a broad coalition of support spanning across Assembly District 43 and the San Fernando Valley.

If you want to link an external news source, use the “link” icons on the sidebar. Anything linked externally will automatically be listed as “news” and any article you create on the site itself will automatically be listed as a “press release.”

Mayor Celeste Rodriguez Launches Campaign for the Valley's 43rd Assembly District

SAN FERNANDO, CA – On New Year’s Day, City of San Fernando Mayor Celeste Rodriguez will be in the 2024 Tournament of Roses Parade, walking alongside the OneLegacy float – titled “Woven Together: The Dance of Life” – to bring awareness to the importance of organ donation. Rodriguez became a living kidney donor for her brother 10 years ago.She was invited to be a float walker after connecting with OneLegacy about celebrating national “Donate Life Month” in the city of San Fernando last April. She told them about her family’s journey.Rodriguez was 24 years old when she made the momentous choice to donate one of her kidneys to help save the life of her oldest brother, Ruben Rodriguez Jr., who had been on dialysis for over five years.“My brother needed a transplant and there are only so many years you can survive on dialysis,” she told the San Fernando Valley Sun/el Sol. While survival rates do vary, the average life expectancy for patients on dialysis can be five to 10 years, according to the National Kidney Foundation.In preparation for donating her kidney, Rodriguez said she learned about all aspects of the donation process. Unfortunately, she also encountered well-meaning naysayers expressing concerns and misconceptions about living kidney donation, including questions about her ability to eventually have children or lead a full, productive life.“I had my baby girl four years ago with zero complications and have been able to serve my community – now as mayor,” said Rodriguez, who has a second child with her husband Robert. Rodriguez said she’s grateful for her blessings and feels “lucky” that she and her brother were a donor match and that “he has a strong little kidney helping him.”“I’m 5’2” and he is 6’2” so we joke about how small [my kidney] must be,” she explained. “Science and medicine [have] created a great opportunity to be able to help others.”Supporting Organ DonationOneLegacy – a Los Angeles-based nonprofit organ procurement organization (OPO) that supports organ, eye and tissue donations in Southern California – has participated in the annual Tournament of Roses Parade for 20 years. Their goal is to help inspire parade viewers worldwide to consider becoming organ donors, said OneLegacy media representative Tania Llavaneras.The OneLegacy float will honor 56 individuals, with 34 depicted as memorial “floragraphs” (floral portraits) in recognition of deceased donors. In addition, 18 transplant recipients will be riding on the float and four living donors – including Rodriguez – will be “float walkers” for the 5.5-mile length of the parade route on New Year’s Day.The float design will showcase the artistry and traditions of the Hopi nation, including a depiction of a “butterfly dancer,” who dances to celebrate the corn harvest and ask for good health and long life for all living things. It will also include butterflies to symbolize rebirth – “from caterpillar to chrysalis to butterfly,” a metaphorical nod to renewed life through organ donation, explained Llavaneras.Celebrating Family MilestonesRodriguez – who will have family members watching from home and in the stands during the parade – said OneLegacy motivated her to share her personal story to help raise awareness about the powerful impact of organ donation.“I have been very private about being a living donor, but OneLegacy has encouraged me to share my story, to encourage others to learn about donation,” said Rodriguez, emphasizing the importance of education about organ donation, which she deems an opportunity to “give life.”“My brother and I recognize how significant it is that he’s here with us, alive [and] celebrating life’s milestones,” said Rodriguez. One of those recent landmark occasions was walking one of his daughters down the aisle at her wedding in October – shortly after celebrating the 10th anniversary of his successful kidney transplant.“We make the most of moments, especially during the holidays when we make my grandmother’s tamales,” said Rodriguez. “Now we’re looking forward to [Ruben] one day celebrating other milestones – like [someday] meeting his future grandbabies.”<a href="https://sanfernandosun.com/2023/12/27/city-of-san-fernando-mayor-and-living-kidney-donor-celeste-rodriguez-in-rose-parade/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Read on </a><a href="http://SanFernandoSun.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">SanFernandoSun.com</a>

City of San Fernando Mayor and Living Kidney Donor Celeste Rodriguez in Rose Parade

<img src="https://run.imgix.net/44ced7e5-ce82-4664-88e1-c2f3bf2e7796/cfec85b0-4f24-4225-b0f7-95434432d5cc/cfec85b0-4f24-4225-b0f7-95434432d5cc.jpeg?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=0%2C422%2C1706%2C1302&amp;w=1500" alt="" caption="" align="right" alignwidth="50" variant="base">Celeste Rodriguez experiences firsthand how air pollution, toxic sites, extreme heat, and lack of access to clean water have negatively impacted our community. San Fernando lacked critical infrastructure to clean and maintain the safety of their water supply, eventually having to import expensive water from the Metropolitan Water District.&nbsp;Celeste fought for state resources to complete a cleaning system for the city, offset costs to consumers, and guarantee access to clean drinking water.&nbsp;As Mayor, Celeste led the City of San Fernando's collaboration with LAUSD to increase shared green space and built a tree shade canopy to mitigate poor air quality and provide relief for extreme heat.&nbsp;Now, as Assemblymember, Celeste is continuing to push for investments that ensure our communities don’t get left behind by working to:<ul><li>Supporting legislation that encourages the use of renewable energy sources in residential and commercial buildings and provides financial assistance or tax incentives for property owners to make these upgrades.&nbsp;</li><li>Investing in water recycling and conservation programs, upgrading our aging water infrastructure, and ensuring access to clean drinking water.</li><li>Incentivizing the construction of energy-efficient buildings, retrofitting existing structures with green technologies, and phasing out fossil fuel-based heating and cooking systems in favor of cleaner alternatives.</li></ul>

Protecting the environment &amp; combatting climate change

Environmental Equity

Phonebank - November 5

Join us to get out the vote and encourage our neighbors to vote for the endorsed democrats in San Fernando, Sean Rivas and Jason Strickler for City Council and Celeste Rodriguez for Assembly! We will send a Zoom link to volunteers before the phone bank begins.

Phonebank - October 30