ECONOMY

A multilingual second generation immigrant, Ricardo de la Fuente was raised on the work ethic that made America great. During his education at Harvard Business School, Ricardo (“Ricky”) learned the managerial, motivational, and team-building skills that have made him a great leader and one of the youngest candidates to ever run for United States Congress. In his work in green energy entrepreneurship, assisted living modernization, and small business advocacy, he has applied those skills for real change. As a philanthropist, he has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for charities fighting against cancer, homelessness, and child poverty. With his wide and varied experience in bringing people together and supporting those in need, Ricardo is ready to fight for Florida’s future through the creation of meaningful well-paid jobs in green energy, infrastructure, and technology.

HEALTH CARE

An invited speaker to the Touch-a-Life Foundation World Kindness Day Conference and the creator of the Emmy nominated Earth Walker documentary, chronicling lives affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, Ricardo has always taken a personal interest in the mental and physical well-being of humanity. Throughout the pandemic, Ricardo’s leadership in vaccine distribution and emergency relief gave him a firsthand look into the critical importance of accessible high-quality health care for all. He also knows that this is not the case for millions of uninsured and underinsured Floridians. That’s why he’s excited to get to work finding sustainable long-term solutions for affordable prescriptions and medical care for all in the state.

HOUSING

Ricardo knows that the lives of many Floridians includes a struggle to pay the rent or mortgage, which has only been compounded by the Covid-19, rising inflation and the spiraling cost-of-living. With the circumstances of Post-Covid America often making it difficult to save for home ownership or even pay the rent without multiple jobs and credit card debt, he is committed to real progress on making home affordable. In the exploration of innovative policies that include subsidies, incentives, and tax breaks, Ricardo is prepared to jump in the ring and fight for hard working Floridians.

ENVIRONMENT

Florida is known the world over as one of the most desirable locations for vacations, tourism, and quality of life. From Key West to Pensacola, the natural beauty of the coastal beaches, Everglades National Park, and the numerous parks and waterways that criss-cross the state make the protection of the environment a top priority for Ricardo. He knows that the encroaching effects of global warming including rising sea levels and catastrophic hurricanes threaten the way of life for many Floridians. With all of these considerations in mind, Ricardo is prepared to enact legislation to increase Florida’s climate change oriented infrastructure and protect her natural assets and attractions from the southern reefs to Jacksonville beach.^[8]

• Small Businesses: We are lucky that Hispanic, Asian and African Americans profoundly influence our district – populations that are best served by an economic environment that encourages and supports the development of small business. We can improve our communities and contribute to our success if we receive the tools to establish small businesses that can provide entry-level jobs as well as higher paying opportunities.

• Homelessness: Our homeless deserve a secure, sanitary environment that restores a level of dignity to their lives and provides them with an opportunity to rejoin the general population. We need to provide essential services such as restrooms, showers and laundry service to our homeless both for public health reasons and to reflect fundamental human rights.

• Healthcare: Healthcare is a basic human need. As your congressman, I will be fighting hard to keep the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA)–otherwise known as Obamacare–and to improve upon it, rather than eliminate it and start from scratch as the Trump Administration is pushing to do. Americans with preexisting conditions should not need to worry that they will lose coverage based on a change in policy. We must preserve programs such as Medicare and Medicaid for our seniors, disabled, and others needing assistance. Additionally, the cost of health care, including prescription coverage, must be kept a level that is affordable to all Americans.

• Affordable Housing: Affordable housing for working individuals and families is a must, not an option. Local initiative, Measure S, will not help with this issue. Measure S, while not a federal issue, will worsen the affordability crisis in downtown Los Angeles. It will also cost the city an estimated $2 billion in lost revenue.

• No Border Wall: I don’t believe in building a wall across our entire southern border. A wall is little more than a publicity stunt to capitalize on the fear that some of our elected officials created. It will not materially alter our safety, but it will almost certainly further divide our country.

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Candidate

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