“As a State Senator and Chair of the Latino Caucus, I know how critical it is to have local leaders who fight for equity, opportunity, and a healthier future for all of our communities. As a former Long Beach City Councilmember myself, I know just how challenging and rewarding this work can be. Joni Ricks-Oddie has been a strong partner on the issues that matter most to North Long Beach families. Together, we’ve stood up against a freeway expansion project that would have harmed the health of residents, and we’ve fought to advance environmental justice in one of the most impacted parts of our city. Joni brings both expertise and heart to her role, and she has consistently delivered results for her district. I’m proud to support her re-election because Long Beach needs leaders who combine vision with action — and Joni is that kind of leader.”