10/28/2026
My deepest condolences go out to the family, loved ones, and countless friends and admirers of Dolores Huerta. I am heartbroken by the passing of my dear friend and civil rights icon, whose decades of tireless advocacy for farmworkers and working families helped transform the fight for workersโ rights, dignity, and justice.
I first met Dolores in 1995, when I was running for Congress, and was fortunate to call her a friend for more than three decades. During my tenure as Executive Director of Equality California, she served on our Board of Directors, attending nearly every meeting, often traveling by Greyhound bus to be there. When I chaired California Environmental Voters, she also worked alongside us to advance environmental justice. Her commitment to justice extended across movements and communities, and she never hesitated to show up for those who needed her.
Even after decades of groundbreaking work, Dolores continued walking the halls of the State Capitol, fighting for farmworkers, immigrants, and working families whose voices too often go unheard. She never stopped fighting for a more just and equitable world. I will always be grateful for her friendship, her unwavering dedication, and the example she set for all of us. Her legacy will live on in the countless lives she changed and the generations of advocates she inspired.
