Rep. Ruiz discusses re-election live in-studio
First elected in 2012, Ruiz was elected to his fourth-term. Ruiz secured 56% of the vote, defeating his opponent, Kimberlin Brown Pelzer (44%) by just over 13 thousand total votes.
Watch: Rep. Raul Ruiz wins 4th term in Congress
Fresh off his re-election last night, Rep. Dr. Raul Ruiz sat down with News Channel 3 anchor Karen Devine to discuss what’s next.
Ruiz on his expectations for a now Democrat-controlled House:
“Well, my expectations is that we’re gonna focus on healthcare, reduce the cost of medications, focus on an infrastructure package, and help improve the wage for the middle so that they’re not just getting by they are getting ahead. And I think we’re going to go after corruption and make sure that we hold the administration accountable for their use of taxpayer dollars.”
On President Trump’s comments about how he believes there will be much less gridlock with Dem-controlled House:
“What President Trump says one hour, he changes the next hour and then what he says and does are does are two different things. I’m just focused on what I do and what I believe in and what I believe is we need to talk less about party and talk more about country. We have to be for the people and make sure we bring results to improve the people’s lives. And on the things that we can agree on, let’s get it done and the things we disagree on, like repealing protections for people with preexisting conditions, like sabotaging the Affordable Care Act or anything like that, then I’m going to defend the gains that we’ve made. I’m going to defend the middle class to make sure that any tax plan will be fair and it’s not just 80-percent benefiting 1-percent of the population. And so, that’s what my campaign was about, you know? There was a very stark difference. I ran a very positive, issue-based campaign using facts, science, and the truth and the people agreed and we had a decisive victory, double-digit victory, and that’s what makes us very happy.”
On top three issues he is looking to solve:
“Well locally, continued to be focused on the Salton Sea and we have a window of opportunity now that we have a new Governor to make sure that he visits and we work as a team to implement the California water management project, Salton Sea management project, so that we can get the results that we want in the 10-year plan. We’ve had enormous momentum, enormous projects and funding. The other thing that I’m working on is to bring in more pediatric specialty care with Loma Linda, working with emergency departments at Eisenhower Medical Center to make sure, especially that our kids with cancer don’t have to drive to Loma Linda, Orange County, or LA and they can get their transfusions here. And we’re gonna continue to focus with my Veteran’s Advisory Board to connect the veteran’s with the resources they have and hold the V.A. accountable so that they provide the healthcare and the benefits that the veteran’s need through my casework department. So that’s three of several things that we’re working on but it’s just so exciting to be a part of it. It’s been a life mission to improve the lives of the people I serve. And when I work on a proposition, a measure ballot like BB that expands the healthcare district, that’s a lifelong dream of mine that I’ve had since I was a kid to one day be a doctor and come home and improve health care in my home area. This Measure BB is gonna a game changer, generational, sustainable and so these are the project that I like to focus on at home.
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Noticias en español: Telemundo 15
