Friends Fundraising For Wounded State Assembly Candidate

Steve Sanchez, the former State Assembly candidate stabbed at a birthday party is on the road to recovery, but his friends are still asking for help.

Sanchez was stabbed four times trying to break up a fight at a friend’s birthday party in Whittier, southeast of Los Angeles, late last year.

Sanchez said his insurance covered most of the medical bills, but friends said he still needs some help.

They held a fundraiser at the Soul of Mexico restaurant in Indio Saturday.

“You don’t even have to ask them. They just want to give. So, it’s a testament to Steve because he’s so loved,” said Joy Miedecke, Sanchez’s friend and fundraiser organizer.

According to Miedecke they’ve raised several thousand dollars, but they’re looking for more.

They’ve set up a Facebook page where people can donate money called Prayers for Steve Sanchez.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office dropped the charges against 27-year-old Jonathan Moran of Highland and 29-year-old Raymond Martinez of Rancho Cucamonga, both arrested in connection with the stabbing of Sanchez.

Sanchez says he’s considering filing a lawsuit or trying to get the charges reinstated.

“I’m more upset at the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office than I am at the criminals. I expect bad people to do bad things, but I expect good people to do the right thing, and I don’t think the DA’s Office did the right thing on this one,” said Sanchez.

The former State Assembly candidate is back to jogging and running occasionally.

But the running his friends and family are really hoping for is another run for office.

“This town will go crazy if he does. We are behind him a million percent. We’ll come out of the woodwork for him,” said Miedecke.