AD 38: Just days after announcing her bid for California\’s 38th Assembly District (Santa Clarita, Simi Valley, and a portion of the San Fernando Valley including Porter Ranch), early childhood education advocate and non-profit executive Suzette Martinez Valladares has secured endorsements from two prominent local Republican leaders: Senator Scott Wilk and former Congressman Steve Knight.
Former Congressman Steve Knight wrote, “Suzette is a rising star and the future of the California Republican Party. She will bring the same heart and passion for advocacy to her work running an early childhood education program, to the job of representing the all the people of the Santa Clarita and Simi Valleys . Having served in our State Legislature I can’t think of anyone better suited to challenge the Sacramento power structure and make life more affordable for our local families.”
Senator Scott Wilk, Vice Chair of the Senate Education Committee, wrote of Suzette, \”As a mother, Suzette Valladares knows that an excellent public education is the pathway to success. Suzette supports parents as she knows every child learns differently. She knows the one-size-fits all approach doesn’t serve our kids. Suzette will also stand with me in our effort to reduce your cost of living. That’s why I support Suzette Valladares for State Assembly.”
Background: An unlikely Republican story, Suzette grew up in the San Fernando Valley, the granddaughter of a farmworker who worked alongside Cesar Chavez in the vineyards near Bakersfield. She was blessed with loving parents who valued education, family and community responsibility. In 2012, Suzette became Executive Director of Southern California Autism Speaks. Her career is based on serving others, with a passion for early childhood education and advocacy.
After her mother’s passing in 2018, Suzette was asked to assume her mother’s role as CEO of Little Steps of Faith, a faith-based non-profit preschool that provides quality childcare to underserved families in the San Fernando and Santa Clarita Valleys.
Suzette and her husband Shane were blessed with their first child, daughter Charlotte, in April 2017.