Pete Aguilar's Campaign Endorsed by Prominent Older Americans Group

Redlands mayor Pete Aguilar's run for Congress in the re-drawn 31st District has been endorsed by the National Committee to Preserve Social Security & Medicare, his campaign announced Thursday.

"Pete Aguilar understands the critical roles that Medicare and Social Security play in the health and retirement security of our nation’s older citizens, and he will make preservation of these vital programs a priority in office," Max Richtman, the organization's president and CEO, said in a prepared statement.

The mission of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security & Medicare, a membership organization, is to protect, preserve, promote and ensure the financial security, health and the well being of current and future generations of maturing Americans, according to the group.

The organization was founded in 1982 by former Congressman James Roosevelt, son of President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

"It's wrong that some in Congress choose additional tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans over quality health care for our seniors," Aguilar said in prepared remarks. "Voters in San Bernardino County will soon have a voice in the direction Washington takes on these and other critical issues, and I'm confident that they will support the needs of middle-class families."

Earlier this year, Aguilar made a pledge to protect Medicare as a member of Congress, noting the Paul Ryan budget would replace Medicare with a voucher program that could force future seniors to pay $6,000 more in out-of-pocket medical expenses each year, according to his campaign.

Aguilar, D-Redlands, is a small business owner and the city's mayor. He is a fourth generation resident of the Inland Empire.

As Redlands mayor, Aguilar has led efforts to reduce the city's budget deficit, establish a reserve fund, equip police with more tools to fight crime, and make critical investments in local roads and infrastructure, according to his campaign.

For more information on Pete Aguilar, visit: www.peteaguilar.com.

Redistricting last year split retiring Rep. Jerry Lewis's 41st District into the new 8th and 31st districts. Lewis, R-Redlands, in January after 46 years in office.

Other candidates in the race for the 31st District include Rep. Gary Miller, R-Diamond Bar, and State Sen. Bob Dutton, R-Rancho Cucamonga.

A pdf copy of the new 31st District is attached to this report.