LOS ANGELES — Hiking through veterans park in Sylmar is just one place California State Senator-elect Caroline Menjivar can be found on her days off.
“It’s where I get to relax. I love being in the outdoors,” she said as she walks her dog, Woody, through the park.
This park is also where she kicked off her campaign for the newly formed District 20 State Senate seat.
It’s a seat Menjivar, the daughter of Salvadorean immigrants, won by nearly 17% points. Small fundraisers fueled her campaign, including one where her mother helped make pupusas.
“If you honestly think about it, the pupusas got me here,” she said, looking back on her journey. “Those fundraisers, those grass root fundraisers were such important pieces to me getting here because it brought different people to the table.”
People she said, normally wouldn’t have the means to donate thousands of dollars to a campaign were able to show their support by buying a plate of food.
Menjivar grew up in a single-parent household. She remembers her mother constantly working to care for her and her younger sister.
“She is the reason why I’m here,” she said of her mother. “I was raised by just basically her. She worked so hard cleaning houses. Until this day, she cleans homes.”
Menjivar was born and raised in the San Fernando Valley, an alumna of Reseda High School. As a marine, she was forced to hide her relationship with her girlfriend, who is now her wife, under the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy.
She will be the first LGBTQ legislator to represent the San Fernando Valley.
“I want to make sure that I’m elevating these voices and bringing added protection for our trans individuals and everyone within the family of LGBTQ,” she said.
Mental health and the environment are also priorities for Menjivar.
While she admits she’s still learning about her new role, she’s excited to represent her community.
It’s “so important to be able to represent a community that you’ve seen change, some for the better and some for the worst because you can see the potential, you have a greater investment into it,” she said.
Menjivar adds that it’s that connection that will help her become a powerful voice for this newly formed district. Menjivar will be sworn into the California State Senate on Dec. 5.