Gil Gonzales Steps Up Campaign Efforts

The Gil Gonzales campaign is stepping up efforts heading into the last few weeks before the Nov. 6 election.

On Saturday, campaign officials said they would hold a fall kickoff barbecue event will be held at Robins Woodfire Grill, 395 N. Rosemead Blvd., Pasadena

The event is free and will run from noon to 3 p.m.

Gonzales, a Republican, is facing off against current State Senator Carol Liu for the newly redrawn 25th Senatorial District, which includes Glendora.

Both campaigns are working to relate to district constituents. Both have released bios that outline humble beginnings.

Gonzales's bio details that he was born in Fresno to a single teenage mother. He attended a number of elementary schools and five different high schools as he moved between various homes, youth shelters and public housing - and periods of homelessness. When Gil was 12, his mother nearly died in a motorcycle accident that left her in a coma for two years.

Gonzales said he dropped out of high school and drifted around aimlessly for a time. He did eventually earn his GED, and went on to earn a degree on full scholarship from Pitzer College.

Liu’s bio includes that she is a fifth-generation Californian on her mother's side. She is also the daughter of an immigrant as her father emigrated from China before World War II.

She was born in Berkeley and raised in Oakland, she attended public schools and graduated from San Jose State College, according to her information.

Officials with the Gonzales campaign are hoping to make an impression, an especially challenging task in his old college town known as a local Democratic strong-hold.

For information on the barbecue, check on the campaign’s website.