Daniel Garibay Rodriguez

[{"question": "Ballotpedia survey responses", "answer_html": "<p>See also: <a href=\"/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\">Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection</a></p>\n<div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-10 col-md-6 col-xs-offset-1 col-md-offset-3\"><p><a href=\"https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\"><img align=\"middle\" alt=\"Candidate Connection\" src=\"https://cdn.ballotpedia.org/images/8/88/Candidate_Connection_Logo.png\" width=\"90%\"/></a></p></div></div>\n<p>Daniel Garibay Rodriguez completed <a href=\"/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\">Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection</a> survey in 2026. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Garibay Rodriguez's responses.</p>\n<p><span class=\"expand-all\">Expand all</span> | <span class=\"collapse-all\">Collapse all</span></p>\n<div aria-multiselectable=\"true\" class=\"panel-group\" id=\"accordion\" role=\"tablist\"><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-bio-424370-2026-04-28\" id=\"heading-bio-424370-2026-04-28\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-bio-424370-2026-04-28\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-bio-424370-2026-04-28\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWho are you? Tell us about yourself.\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading-bio-424370-2026-04-28\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-bio-424370-2026-04-28\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI am Daniel Garibay Rodriguez, a Central Valley organizer, public servant, and candidate for Congress in California’s 13th District. I am the son of immigrant parents, and my life has been shaped by the sacrifices, struggles, and resilience of working-class families.\r\n<p>My background is in community organizing, youth leadership, mental health advocacy, and program management. I have worked to support young people, families, and communities that are too often overlooked by systems of power. Through that work, I have seen how policy decisions directly impact whether people can afford housing, access health care, feel safe, find good jobs, and live with dignity.\r\n</p><p>I am running because I believe the Central Valley deserves leadership that is rooted in the people—not corporations, special interests, or political insiders. Our communities help feed the country, power the economy, and care for one another, yet we are too often left behind.\r\n</p><p>My campaign is about people over profits. It is about dignity, care, and good jobs. It is about fighting for housing justice, health care for all, immigrant dignity, mental health support, worker power, and a government that actually listens.\r\n</p>\nI believe leadership is about service, accountability, and showing up consistently. I am running to help build a future where working families are not just surviving, but thriving—and where every person in the Valley knows they are seen, valued, and worth fighting for.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-424370-2026-04-28\" id=\"heading-key-message-424370-2026-04-28\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-key-message-424370-2026-04-28\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-424370-2026-04-28\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tPlease list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading-key-message-424370-2026-04-28\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-key-message-424370-2026-04-28\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\"><ul><li>My campaign is rooted in People Over Profits. I believe government should serve working families, not corporations, billionaires, or special interests. Across the Central Valley, people are working hard but still struggling to afford housing, health care, groceries, and basic stability. That is not because our communities lack worth—it is because our political system has failed to prioritize them. I am running to fight for policies that make life more livable, protect people’s dignity, and ensure that the Valley finally gets the investment, care, and representation it deserves.</li><li>My campaign is about dignity, care, and good jobs. Every person deserves housing they can afford, health care they can access, work that pays a living wage, and a government that treats them with respect. In the Central Valley, our communities contribute so much to this country through labor, agriculture, care work, and service, yet too many families are left struggling. I am running to fight for an economy that values working people, protects immigrant families, supports mental health, and creates real opportunity for every community in CA-13.</li><li>I am running to build a campaign and congressional office rooted in accountability and people power. Voters deserve a representative who listens, shows up, and stays connected year-round—not just during election season. My commitment is to organize alongside the community, bring federal resources home, provide strong constituent services, and fight for policies shaped by the real needs of working families. This campaign is about building power with the people of the Valley, so every resident knows they are seen, heard, and worth fighting for.</li></ul></span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-424370-2026-04-28\" id=\"heading1-424370-2026-04-28\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse1-424370-2026-04-28\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-424370-2026-04-28\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading1-424370-2026-04-28\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse1-424370-2026-04-28\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI am passionate about policies that improve the daily lives of working families: affordable housing, health care for all, mental health care, workers’ rights, immigrant dignity, education, climate resilience, and economic justice. In the Central Valley, these issues are deeply connected. Families cannot thrive if they cannot afford rent, see a doctor, earn a living wage, or feel safe in their communities. I believe public policy should be rooted in dignity and care, and it should be measured by whether it helps people live with stability, opportunity, and hope.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse2-424370-2026-04-28\" id=\"heading2-424370-2026-04-28\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse2-424370-2026-04-28\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse2-424370-2026-04-28\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWho do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading2-424370-2026-04-28\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse2-424370-2026-04-28\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI look up to leaders like Malcolm X, Dolores Huerta, and Zohran Mamdani because each represents courage, conviction, and a deep commitment to justice.<br/><br/>\n<p>Malcolm X showed the power of speaking truthfully about injustice and demanding dignity for communities that had been ignored and oppressed. Dolores Huerta’s lifelong organizing for farmworkers and working families, especially in the Central Valley, shows what it means to build people power with discipline, persistence, and heart. Zohran Mamdani represents a new generation of leadership rooted in working-class politics, housing justice, and the belief that government should serve people, not corporate interests.<br/><br/>\n</p>\nThe example I want to follow is one of courage, service, and accountability: staying connected to the people, challenging injustice, and fighting for a future rooted in dignity and liberation\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse3-424370-2026-04-28\" id=\"heading3-424370-2026-04-28\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse3-424370-2026-04-28\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse3-424370-2026-04-28\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading3-424370-2026-04-28\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse3-424370-2026-04-28\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tThe most important principles for an elected official are integrity, accountability, empathy, and courage. Integrity means making decisions based on what is right, not what is politically convenient or influenced by powerful interests. Accountability means being accessible, transparent, and willing to answer to the people you serve. Empathy means understanding how policy affects people’s daily lives. Courage means standing up for working families, civil rights, and human dignity, even when it is difficult. Above all, elected officials should remember that government exists to serve people—not corporations or special interests.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse4-424370-2026-04-28\" id=\"heading4-424370-2026-04-28\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse4-424370-2026-04-28\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse4-424370-2026-04-28\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading4-424370-2026-04-28\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse4-424370-2026-04-28\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tThe core responsibility of a member of Congress is to represent the people of their district with integrity, accountability, and courage. That means listening to constituents, fighting for policies that improve daily life, and bringing federal resources home to the communities that need them.<br/><br/>\n<p>A representative must help shape legislation, provide strong constituent services, and conduct oversight to make sure government works fairly and effectively. For CA-13, that means fighting for affordable housing, health care, good jobs, immigrant dignity, mental health support, and economic opportunity for working families.<br/><br/>\n</p>\nAbove all, the job is to serve people—not corporations or special interests.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse5-424370-2026-04-28\" id=\"heading5-424370-2026-04-28\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse5-424370-2026-04-28\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse5-424370-2026-04-28\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat legacy would you like to leave?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading5-424370-2026-04-28\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse5-424370-2026-04-28\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI want to leave a legacy rooted in hope, healing, and liberation. I believe leadership should help people imagine something better, especially communities that have been overlooked, harmed, or told to accept less.<br/><br/>\n<p>I want my legacy to be one of fighting for a future where everyone can live with dignity, safety, opportunity, and freedom—not just survive. That means building systems that care for people, protect working families, and allow every person to grow into the fullest version of themselves.<br/><br/>\n</p>\nI also want to model accountability and growth: becoming better every day, learning from mistakes, and staying committed to service. Ultimately, I hope to be remembered as someone who helped people believe again that change is possible.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse6-424370-2026-04-28\" id=\"heading6-424370-2026-04-28\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse6-424370-2026-04-28\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse6-424370-2026-04-28\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat was your very first job? How long did you have it?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading6-424370-2026-04-28\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse6-424370-2026-04-28\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tMy first job was working at a flea market during high school, helping at my friend’s family business on weekends. I did that throughout high school, and it taught me the value of hard work, responsibility, and showing up consistently.<br/><br/>\r\nIt also gave me an early appreciation for small businesses, working families, and the effort it takes to earn a living day by day.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse7-424370-2026-04-28\" id=\"heading7-424370-2026-04-28\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse7-424370-2026-04-28\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse7-424370-2026-04-28\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat is something that has been a struggle in your life?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading7-424370-2026-04-28\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse7-424370-2026-04-28\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tOne of the biggest struggles in my life has been navigating the expectations placed on me as the child of immigrant, Catholic parents while also trying to become my most authentic self.<br/><br/>\n<p>My parents made sacrifices to give me opportunities, and I carry deep respect for that. At the same time, their expectations were shaped by survival, faith, limited access to education, and the pressures immigrant families often face. Balancing those expectations with my own dreams, values, and identity has not always been easy.<br/><br/>\n</p>\nThat journey has required self-reflection, healing, and courage. It has made me more empathetic toward young people and working-class families navigating pressure, responsibility, and the desire to build a life that feels true to who they are.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse8-424370-2026-04-28\" id=\"heading8-424370-2026-04-28\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse8-424370-2026-04-28\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse8-424370-2026-04-28\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat qualities does the U.S. House of Representatives possess that makes it unique as an institution?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading8-424370-2026-04-28\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse8-424370-2026-04-28\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tThe U.S. House of Representatives is unique because it is designed to be the federal institution closest to the people. Members are elected every two years and represent specific districts, which means they should be responsive, accessible, and accountable to the communities they serve.<br/><br/>\n<p>The House also has major responsibility over federal spending, taxation, and legislation that directly affects people’s daily lives. Because it includes representatives from every part of the country, it brings together many different regions, communities, and lived experiences.<br/><br/>\n</p>\nAt its best, the House is where the voices of ordinary people can be translated into national policy. That is what makes it powerful: its duty to reflect the people and fight for their needs.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse9-424370-2026-04-28\" id=\"heading9-424370-2026-04-28\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse9-424370-2026-04-28\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse9-424370-2026-04-28\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat do you perceive to be the United States' greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading9-424370-2026-04-28\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse9-424370-2026-04-28\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tOne of the greatest challenges facing the United States over the next decade is whether working families will be able to live with dignity and stability. Too many people are struggling with the rising cost of housing, health care, education, groceries, and basic needs while wages and opportunity have not kept up.<br/><br/>\n<p>We also face a crisis of trust in government and democracy. When people feel unheard, ignored, or see powerful interests prioritized over everyday people, it weakens our ability to solve problems together.<br/><br/>\n</p>\nOther major challenges include climate change, mental health, political division, attacks on civil rights, and an economy that leaves too many communities behind. Meeting these challenges will require leadership that puts people over profits, protects democracy, and invests in a future where everyone can thrive.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse10-424370-2026-04-28\" id=\"heading10-424370-2026-04-28\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse10-424370-2026-04-28\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse10-424370-2026-04-28\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tDo you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading10-424370-2026-04-28\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse10-424370-2026-04-28\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tYes, compromise can be necessary in policymaking, especially when progress requires building support across different perspectives. But compromise should never mean abandoning people’s dignity, basic rights, or well-being.<br/><br/>\n<p>I believe in working with others in good faith to deliver real improvements for people’s lives. That means being willing to collaborate, listen, and move policy forward, even when the final result is not perfect.<br/><br/>\n</p>\nAt the same time, there must be clear principles. I will not compromise on protecting working families, civil rights, immigrant dignity, health care, housing, or people’s basic freedom to live safely and fully. Compromise should be a tool for progress—not an excuse to maintain the status quo.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse11-424370-2026-04-28\" id=\"heading11-424370-2026-04-28\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse11-424370-2026-04-28\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse11-424370-2026-04-28\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading11-424370-2026-04-28\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse11-424370-2026-04-28\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tMy campaign has been endorsed by Progressive Voters Network, and I am grateful for their support of our people-powered campaign for working families in the Central Valley. I am also continuing to meet with community members, organizers, local leaders, and grassroots organizations throughout CA-13 to build support around our shared priorities: housing justice, health care, immigrant dignity, workers’ rights, mental health, and a government that serves people—not corporations or special interests.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse12-424370-2026-04-28\" id=\"heading12-424370-2026-04-28\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse12-424370-2026-04-28\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse12-424370-2026-04-28\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat was the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading12-424370-2026-04-28\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse12-424370-2026-04-28\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tThe first major historical event I remember from my lifetime is September 11, 2001. I was young, but I remember the fear, confusion, and sense that something had changed across the globe. As I grew older, I also began to understand how that moment shaped American politics, immigration policy, national security, civil liberties, and the way Muslim, Arab, South Asian, and immigrant communities were treated.<br/>\r\nThat event taught me that moments of crisis can reveal both the strength and the failures of our institutions. It also reminds me why leadership must be grounded in courage, care, and accountability—not fear, scapegoating, or division. History should push us to protect people’s rights and dignity, especially in difficult moments.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div></div>\n<div class=\"small\" data-nosnippet=\"\"><p><i><b>Note:</b> Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.</i></p></div>", "answer_text": "See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection\n\nDaniel Garibay Rodriguez completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2026. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Garibay Rodriguez's responses.\nExpand all | Collapse all\nWho are you? Tell us about yourself. I am Daniel Garibay Rodriguez, a Central Valley organizer, public servant, and candidate for Congress in California’s 13th District. I am the son of immigrant parents, and my life has been shaped by the sacrifices, struggles, and resilience of working-class families. My background is in community organizing, youth leadership, mental health advocacy, and program management. I have worked to support young people, families, and communities that are too often overlooked by systems of power. Through that work, I have seen how policy decisions directly impact whether people can afford housing, access health care, feel safe, find good jobs, and live with dignity. I am running because I believe the Central Valley deserves leadership that is rooted in the people—not corporations, special interests, or political insiders. Our communities help feed the country, power the economy, and care for one another, yet we are too often left behind. My campaign is about people over profits. It is about dignity, care, and good jobs. It is about fighting for housing justice, health care for all, immigrant dignity, mental health support, worker power, and a government that actually listens. I believe leadership is about service, accountability, and showing up consistently. I am running to help build a future where working families are not just surviving, but thriving—and where every person in the Valley knows they are seen, valued, and worth fighting for. Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office? My campaign is rooted in People Over Profits. I believe government should serve working families, not corporations, billionaires, or special interests. Across the Central Valley, people are working hard but still struggling to afford housing, health care, groceries, and basic stability. That is not because our communities lack worth—it is because our political system has failed to prioritize them. I am running to fight for policies that make life more livable, protect people’s dignity, and ensure that the Valley finally gets the investment, care, and representation it deserves. My campaign is about dignity, care, and good jobs. Every person deserves housing they can afford, health care they can access, work that pays a living wage, and a government that treats them with respect. In the Central Valley, our communities contribute so much to this country through labor, agriculture, care work, and service, yet too many families are left struggling. I am running to fight for an economy that values working people, protects immigrant families, supports mental health, and creates real opportunity for every community in CA-13. I am running to build a campaign and congressional office rooted in accountability and people power. Voters deserve a representative who listens, shows up, and stays connected year-round—not just during election season. My commitment is to organize alongside the community, bring federal resources home, provide strong constituent services, and fight for policies shaped by the real needs of working families. This campaign is about building power with the people of the Valley, so every resident knows they are seen, heard, and worth fighting for. What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? I am passionate about policies that improve the daily lives of working families: affordable housing, health care for all, mental health care, workers’ rights, immigrant dignity, education, climate resilience, and economic justice. In the Central Valley, these issues are deeply connected. Families cannot thrive if they cannot afford rent, see a doctor, earn a living wage, or feel safe in their communities. I believe public policy should be rooted in dignity and care, and it should be measured by whether it helps people live with stability, opportunity, and hope. Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why? I look up to leaders like Malcolm X, Dolores Huerta, and Zohran Mamdani because each represents courage, conviction, and a deep commitment to justice. Malcolm X showed the power of speaking truthfully about injustice and demanding dignity for communities that had been ignored and oppressed. Dolores Huerta’s lifelong organizing for farmworkers and working families, especially in the Central Valley, shows what it means to build people power with discipline, persistence, and heart. Zohran Mamdani represents a new generation of leadership rooted in working-class politics, housing justice, and the belief that government should serve people, not corporate interests. The example I want to follow is one of courage, service, and accountability: staying connected to the people, challenging injustice, and fighting for a future rooted in dignity and liberation What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official? The most important principles for an elected official are integrity, accountability, empathy, and courage. Integrity means making decisions based on what is right, not what is politically convenient or influenced by powerful interests. Accountability means being accessible, transparent, and willing to answer to the people you serve. Empathy means understanding how policy affects people’s daily lives. Courage means standing up for working families, civil rights, and human dignity, even when it is difficult. Above all, elected officials should remember that government exists to serve people—not corporations or special interests. What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office? The core responsibility of a member of Congress is to represent the people of their district with integrity, accountability, and courage. That means listening to constituents, fighting for policies that improve daily life, and bringing federal resources home to the communities that need them. A representative must help shape legislation, provide strong constituent services, and conduct oversight to make sure government works fairly and effectively. For CA-13, that means fighting for affordable housing, health care, good jobs, immigrant dignity, mental health support, and economic opportunity for working families. Above all, the job is to serve people—not corporations or special interests. What legacy would you like to leave? I want to leave a legacy rooted in hope, healing, and liberation. I believe leadership should help people imagine something better, especially communities that have been overlooked, harmed, or told to accept less. I want my legacy to be one of fighting for a future where everyone can live with dignity, safety, opportunity, and freedom—not just survive. That means building systems that care for people, protect working families, and allow every person to grow into the fullest version of themselves. I also want to model accountability and growth: becoming better every day, learning from mistakes, and staying committed to service. Ultimately, I hope to be remembered as someone who helped people believe again that change is possible. What was your very first job? How long did you have it? My first job was working at a flea market during high school, helping at my friend’s family business on weekends. I did that throughout high school, and it taught me the value of hard work, responsibility, and showing up consistently. It also gave me an early appreciation for small businesses, working families, and the effort it takes to earn a living day by day. What is something that has been a struggle in your life? One of the biggest struggles in my life has been navigating the expectations placed on me as the child of immigrant, Catholic parents while also trying to become my most authentic self. My parents made sacrifices to give me opportunities, and I carry deep respect for that. At the same time, their expectations were shaped by survival, faith, limited access to education, and the pressures immigrant families often face. Balancing those expectations with my own dreams, values, and identity has not always been easy. That journey has required self-reflection, healing, and courage. It has made me more empathetic toward young people and working-class families navigating pressure, responsibility, and the desire to build a life that feels true to who they are. What qualities does the U.S. House of Representatives possess that makes it unique as an institution? The U.S. House of Representatives is unique because it is designed to be the federal institution closest to the people. Members are elected every two years and represent specific districts, which means they should be responsive, accessible, and accountable to the communities they serve. The House also has major responsibility over federal spending, taxation, and legislation that directly affects people’s daily lives. Because it includes representatives from every part of the country, it brings together many different regions, communities, and lived experiences. At its best, the House is where the voices of ordinary people can be translated into national policy. That is what makes it powerful: its duty to reflect the people and fight for their needs. What do you perceive to be the United States' greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade? One of the greatest challenges facing the United States over the next decade is whether working families will be able to live with dignity and stability. Too many people are struggling with the rising cost of housing, health care, education, groceries, and basic needs while wages and opportunity have not kept up. We also face a crisis of trust in government and democracy. When people feel unheard, ignored, or see powerful interests prioritized over everyday people, it weakens our ability to solve problems together. Other major challenges include climate change, mental health, political division, attacks on civil rights, and an economy that leaves too many communities behind. Meeting these challenges will require leadership that puts people over profits, protects democracy, and invests in a future where everyone can thrive. Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking? Yes, compromise can be necessary in policymaking, especially when progress requires building support across different perspectives. But compromise should never mean abandoning people’s dignity, basic rights, or well-being. I believe in working with others in good faith to deliver real improvements for people’s lives. That means being willing to collaborate, listen, and move policy forward, even when the final result is not perfect. At the same time, there must be clear principles. I will not compromise on protecting working families, civil rights, immigrant dignity, health care, housing, or people’s basic freedom to live safely and fully. Compromise should be a tool for progress—not an excuse to maintain the status quo. What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign? My campaign has been endorsed by Progressive Voters Network, and I am grateful for their support of our people-powered campaign for working families in the Central Valley. I am also continuing to meet with community members, organizers, local leaders, and grassroots organizations throughout CA-13 to build support around our shared priorities: housing justice, health care, immigrant dignity, workers’ rights, mental health, and a government that serves people—not corporations or special interests. What was the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? The first major historical event I remember from my lifetime is September 11, 2001. I was young, but I remember the fear, confusion, and sense that something had changed across the globe. As I grew older, I also began to understand how that moment shaped American politics, immigration policy, national security, civil liberties, and the way Muslim, Arab, South Asian, and immigrant communities were treated. That event taught me that moments of crisis can reveal both the strength and the failures of our institutions. It also reminds me why leadership must be grounded in courage, care, and accountability—not fear, scapegoating, or division. History should push us to protect people’s rights and dignity, especially in difficult moments.\nNote: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it."}]