Senator Ed Hernandez, OD, announces run for CA Lieutenant Governor

Senator Ed Hernandez, OD, intends to run for Lieutenant Governor in 2018 when Gavin Newsom, who currently holds the position, will be termed out of office. 

Senator Hernandez, a long-standing member of the Capitol community and a champion for optometry in the state, made the first announcement of his candidacy amongst his peers during COA’s House of Delegates meeting late last month. The news was well-received by Senator Hernandez’s fellow doctors of optometry, who showed their approval with a standing ovation.

Dr. Hernandez had only one goal as a young man – to serve the health care needs of the community he came from.  As an optometrist and local businessman, he never dreamed he would one day work in the California State Legislature.  As a health care provider in predominantly low-income communities though, the need to improve access to health care is what drove him to run for office.  Dr. Ed was first elected to the Assembly in November of 2006, and re-elected in November of 2008.  He won his seat in the California State Senate in November of 2010 and was re-elected  in 2014.

With the experience he has gained during his time as a businessman and legislator, Senator Hernandez will make an unparalleled lieutenant governor and COA looks forward to supporting one of our own in his quest for statewide office.