Congressman Ruiz talks about bipartisanship in Congress
Three-term Congressman Raul Ruiz made the rounds today on little sleep after celebrating a victory over Republican challenger, actress Kimberlin Brown Pelzer.
Ruiz won a fourth-term by about 12 points. He walked into a polling place in Coachella with his daughter on his hip. Tonight, he spoke with CBS Local 2 anchor Brooke Beare, saying that his daughter’s twin sister was at home sick but woke him up in the middle of the night last to tell him she loved him
Read: Rep. Raul Ruiz wins 4th term in Congress
When asked what continues to drive him, Ruiz said, “It’s been my lifelong mission ever since I was a child to serve others and make sure it’s a better place, especially for those who find it difficult to do it themselves for whatever reason.”
Ruiz said he was proud of the issue-based campaign he ran.
“We ran a very positive issues-based campaign were we used facts and the truth. We talked about healthcare, about improving Medicare, reducing health care costs, defending the gains that we made for protecting people with pre-existing illness.”
When asked about Brown Pelzer’s TV ad calling him a “lapdog,” Ruiz believed the voters spoke for him.
“I think the voters addressed that overwhelmingly. I think the contrast was very stark. with a double-digit victory in this district, it’s very decisive that the American people and the people in this district prefer honesty, truth, and prefer a healthy debate on the issues that matter to them. and that’s what we should focus on.”
Ruiz continued, “The America that we want is the America that respects every human, every American citizen, to make sure that we protect our seniors, to give our workers a decent wage so that they can not just get by, but get ahead, that respects our children by giving a quality education and opens up doors to give opportunity so they can become what they want to become.”
Ruiz says he is excited to serve another term.
“I’m looking forward to serving another 2 years and bringing home some strong results. More legislation to be signed by the President that will help improve the lives that put their faith and trust in me to come back and do that job.”
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