Teacher, humanitarian, and local activist Lydia Gutierrez is giving incumbent LAUSD School Board member Richard Vladovic a run for his money, and has forced him into a fight for his political life.
Gutierrez released the following press statements following three outrageous attack ads from the Vladovic camp, which political consultant Basil Kimbrew (himself a staunch and outspoken support for Gutierrez) called outrageous and offensive.
Gutierrez' press release will appear in italics, and comments will appear in the current type.
Campaign of HATE is Vladovic's tactic against Lydia Gutiérrez
“Is creating and condoning a Campaign of Hate toward one’s opponent the right answer for Vladovic in attacking Lydia Gutiérrez?”
After a recent poll conducted by the Charter School Association in LAUSD District 7 that showed Lydia Gutiérrez leading 37% to Vladovic’s 34%, the Vladovic “Money Machine,” already spending half a million dollars, has resorted to more aggressively attacking Lydia Gutiérrez with distortions of the truth and making her personal religious beliefs an issue—just another indication that Vladovic’s campaign is in trouble.'
No one should feel intimidated by large campaign war chests, union machines, or political peddling. A well-known name and Democratic political machine in deep blue Rhode Island failed to carry another member of a legacy into a general election.
Character and consistent count just as much as campaign cash, and even if Vlad outraises and outspends Gutierrez, the over-the-top petty attacks cannot cover up the welcome and rewarding record of a life-long teacher who wants the best for LA kids. Gutierrez cares, she knows what counts, and she deserves to be the candidate who wins!
In a continued act of desperation, his campaign supporters recently sent out 3 mailers hoping to ignite hateful anti-religious extremists against Lydia Gutiérrez. These vicious attacks are just another indicator as to how low his campaign feels it must go to undermine Lydia’s lead in the polls. These actions by his campaign and his supporting organizations have only helped to further unite Lydia’s supporters in their resolve to get Lydia elected. Her grassroots campaign dealing with the issues, without using personal attacks against Vladovic, has given Lydia the lead. That 37% to 34% lead is expected to widen by May 19th.
No question about this: supporters are fully and firmly planted in the Gutierrez camp. Many political insiders have dismissed or condescended to her ambitions for higher office, convinced that without the well-oiled political machine chicanery, Gutierrez would not have a chance.
Her campaign for LAUSD School Board has turned into an opportunity, not just for her, but for all LAUSD parents and students who want an education as opposed to the failed, statist status quo.
Every student, parent, teacher, administrator and Board member of LAUSD is FREE to choose their religious beliefs, and no harm or fear of reprisals must come to them in any of our schools. Hatred of religion will not be tolerated in our schools once Lydia Gutiérrez is elected. Freedom of Religion is our RIGHT as Americans under the 1st Amendment.
Finally, there is a political candidate who is a proud defender of the First Amendment. While governors in otherwise conservative states have caved
The Vladovic Campaign and the organizations listed below are being singled out for using “Freedom of Religion” as an issue, and attempting to inflame radical anti-religion Vladovic supporters in a last-minute effort to avoid coming in 2nd on May 19th.
Lydia is requesting an IMMEDIATE RETRACTION from all three organizations:
Lydia is firmly admonishing the Vladovic Campaign for its tactics of trying to hide the mistakes made under his term in office—BAD decisions, poor leadership and costly lawsuits that could have been prevented; mistakes that cost the district MILLIONS of dollars. They are all in the record of LAUSD. We will inform the CCSA, the SEIU Local 99, and the UTLA of Vladovic’s futile actions to divert attention from the key issues of mismanagement of public funds and costly lawsuits, and his attempt to turn this race into an “Anti-religion” battle.
After a recent poll conducted by the Charter School Association in LAUSD District 7 that showed Lydia Gutiérrez leading 37% to Vladovic’s 34%, the Vladovic “Money Machine,” already spending half a million dollars, has resorted to more aggressively attacking Lydia Gutiérrez with distortions of the truth and making her personal religious beliefs an issue—just another indication that Vladovic’s campaign is in trouble.'
No one should feel intimidated by large campaign war chests, union machines, or political peddling. A well-known name and Democratic political machine in deep blue Rhode Island failed to carry another member of a legacy into a general election.
Character and consistent count just as much as campaign cash, and even if Vlad outraises and outspends Gutierrez, the over-the-top petty attacks cannot cover up the welcome and rewarding record of a life-long teacher who wants the best for LA kids. Gutierrez cares, she knows what counts, and she deserves to be the candidate who wins!
In a continued act of desperation, his campaign supporters recently sent out 3 mailers hoping to ignite hateful anti-religious extremists against Lydia Gutiérrez. These vicious attacks are just another indicator as to how low his campaign feels it must go to undermine Lydia’s lead in the polls. These actions by his campaign and his supporting organizations have only helped to further unite Lydia’s supporters in their resolve to get Lydia elected. Her grassroots campaign dealing with the issues, without using personal attacks against Vladovic, has given Lydia the lead. That 37% to 34% lead is expected to widen by May 19th.No question about this: supporters are fully and firmly planted in the Gutierrez camp. Many political insiders have dismissed or condescended to her ambitions for higher office, convinced that without the well-oiled political machine chicanery, Gutierrez would not have a chance.
Her campaign for LAUSD School Board has turned into an opportunity, not just for her, but for all LAUSD parents and students who want an education as opposed to the failed, statist status quo.
Every student, parent, teacher, administrator and Board member of LAUSD is FREE to choose their religious beliefs, and no harm or fear of reprisals must come to them in any of our schools. Hatred of religion will not be tolerated in our schools once Lydia Gutiérrez is elected. Freedom of Religion is our RIGHT as Americans under the 1st Amendment.
Finally, there is a political candidate who is a proud defender of the First Amendment. While governors in otherwise conservative states have caved
The Vladovic Campaign and the organizations listed below are being singled out for using “Freedom of Religion” as an issue, and attempting to inflame radical anti-religion Vladovic supporters in a last-minute effort to avoid coming in 2nd on May 19th.
Lydia is requesting an IMMEDIATE RETRACTION from all three organizations:
- Service Employees International Union Local 99
- United Teachers of Los Angeles
- California Charter Schools Association
Lydia is firmly admonishing the Vladovic Campaign for its tactics of trying to hide the mistakes made under his term in office—BAD decisions, poor leadership and costly lawsuits that could have been prevented; mistakes that cost the district MILLIONS of dollars. They are all in the record of LAUSD. We will inform the CCSA, the SEIU Local 99, and the UTLA of Vladovic’s futile actions to divert attention from the key issues of mismanagement of public funds and costly lawsuits, and his attempt to turn this race into an “Anti-religion” battle.
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| Lydia Gutierrez for LAUSD School Board, District Seven |
It is disturbing to Lydia’s Campaign supporters to see her fellow union members of SEIU Local 99 resort to futile efforts in an attempt to undermine Lydia’s Campaign. She has served as the Union representative in the school where she teaches, and has twice been elected as a delegate to the National Education Association. Having stood side by side with her fellow union members to fight for fair wages, Lydia, too, is perplexed by this behavior of her union colleagues.
Impressive! Lydia understands the struggles of working education professionals, and more LA voters need to know. No one should ever confuse the general pronouncement of union leadership with the individual interests and concerns of the several and diverse members of teachers unions and other professional organizations throughout LAUSD. Gutierrez has the widespread support of individual professions, but more importantly the parents and pupils whom she will represent once elected on the School Board.
GO LYDIA!
Lydia has been a member and served on the executive board of the NAACP of Compton, and has been a former member of LULAC (League of United Latin American Citizens) and participated with the Latino Congreso. Lydia has not received any financial support from these organizations, nor has she received any form of help from large groups of volunteers. For anyone to arrive at the conclusion that she is carrying the banner of any of these organizations simply because she cared more about students and their academic success is beyond logical understanding.
This record of accomplishment is really inspiring. Gutierrez is all about serving the public, rather than the public serving her. She supports the best interests of many minority communities, rather than exploiting their concerns for limited personal, political gain.
Lydia’s supporters include Democrats, Republicans, and Independents, and they will not be intimidated by her opponent’s last minute acts of desperation.
Now more than ever, Los Angeles Schools need leadership and representation which respects the good will of all people, regardless of ethnicity or party affiliation. Beholden to no one, yet holding onto values which treat all people with respect and honor, Gutierrez is the right person to represent LA Harbor and South Los Angeles at 333 South Beaudry.
On May 19th, Vote for Lydia Gutierrez for LAUSD School Board District Seven!
You are awesome Lydia!
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