About antonio
For davis, by davis.
I am proud to be from Davis, California. Davis is where my Mexican immigrant parents found their American Dream. They instilled in us the value of a good education. My dad dropped us off at school every morning with the phrase: “El que mas sabe, mas puede” - If you know more, you can do more. I went to Cesar Chavez Elementary, Harper Junior High, and graduated from Davis High School as part of the class of 2013. Beyond school, I benefited from all the ways our community invested in families and children. I learned to bike on the greenbelt, played hockey at the DISC, did my first communion and confirmation at St. James, and put on plays with Acme Theatre Company. All of the opportunities I’ve had in my life start here - in a town that offered good public schools and affordable homes for young families. I’ve gone on to serve at some of the highest levels of our nation’s politics and government. But no matter how far I’ve gone, I’ve never forgotten where I came from. I am intensely loyal to the place that made me and all of its people.
Belief in service
From a young age, I was taught to always be a help to those around me who were less fortunate. I learned about my grandfather, who was a Bracero farm worker at the end of World War II. I learned the value of hard work and the human stories behind the hands that harvest our food. I know first hand what feels like to be a student in a classroom where you don’t speak the language, and why it matters to have someone standing up for those who can’t stand up for themselves.
From my first job running the after-school program at the Madison Migrant Farmworker Camp to serving in the Biden-Harris administration as Special Assistant to Secretary Antony J. Blinken at the U.S. Department of State, I have always sought to serve my community and my country as best I can. I believe that public service is a noble profession and that each of us is called to participate in our democracy as best we can.
GEtting things done
I have always tried to go wherever I am most needed. That’s why at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, I came home to serve in Yolo County government. I helped push for, plan, and lead our successful farmworker vaccination campaign, getting over 80% of Yolo farm workers vaccinated by April, 2021. I know how to get things done and deliver for Yolo County’s people.
Now, I believe my community needs me to step up again. I made the decision to come home while standing on a runway near the Polish-Ukrainian border, watching artillery ammunition be unloaded from US Air Force planes and moved onto trucks destined for resupplying the Ukrainian army. It was April of 2022, and Secretary Blinken was about to be the first high ranking American official into Kyiv since the war began. Then I received a phone call from a 530 number. (Out of principle, I always answer a call from any 530 number). It was a farm worker family from the Davis Migrant Center who needed help with getting on food stamps. I get this sorts of call often—for over 10 years I’ve been helping families across Yolo County get access to food, health care, housing through systems that are never good enough for what people need. It was that moment that I decided I am needed at home.
It is all these calls I am answering now: to build a Yolo County that works for working people. I hope you’ll join me!
Experienced Leader
Communications Director for the United Farm Workers
Latino Outreach Specialist for Yolo County’s COVID Response Operations Center
Special Assistant to Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken
Legislative Aide and Press Secretary in U.S. House of Representatives
Policy Outreach Coordinator for Elizabeth Warren for President
Policy Manager for Julian Castro for President
Director of the Yolo Interfaith Immigration Network’s After-School Program at the Madison Migrant Center
2013 Thong Hy Huynh Young Humanitarian Award
2015 Justice Leadership Award by Yolo County District Attorney’s Multi-Cultural Community Council
Volunteer with Yolo Basin Foundation
Former Officer for Davis High School’s Latinos Unidos
Former Faith Formation Volunteer at St. James Catholic Church
Former City of Davis Camp Putah Volunteer
Former Member of Acme Theatre Company
