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Politics & Government

Ruiz: "Mary Bono Mack Doesn't Represent Us"

Press conference today bring members of various communities forward with similar message

This story was last revised at 8:11p.m. with link to quote

Dr. Raul Ruiz (D-Coachella) brought members of the community to speak at a press conference in Palm Desert this afternoon, which tried to send a unified message -  that Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (R-Palm Springs) isn't voting in their interests.

"Mary Bono Mack votes affect everything in my life and my lifestyle and she's nowhere to be found,"  said a woman who introduced herself as 'Melinda',  a small business owner, lesbian, military veteran, medicare recipient and voter in the 36th Congressional District.

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Others spoke from the viewpoint of medicare recipients, small business owners, seniors and Latinos - all commenting on how the Congresswoman's votes have affected them, with every speaker using the phrase "she's out of touch" at some point in their remarks.

Ruiz tried to emphasize his point with an quote from that Congresswoman made on monday.  

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" 'I pledge that after November, I will try my hardest to speak to Latino voters', she said.  'This election, I'm a little bit hamstrung.  But I will do my best, because I think that they deserve the attention we need to give them.' ", Ruiz read from his notes.

"My response to Congresswoman Bono Mack is that she's had 14 years to give them the attention that they deserve.  The Congresswoman's statements are an example of how far out of touch she has become with this community."

"Her comments from Monday that she doesn't need to speak with Latino voters until after the election are just another example of how far out of touch she'd become.   This is unacceptable.  A Representative should represent all of their district, and far too many have been left behind by Congresswoman Bono Mack.

"She will not hold public events to listen; and most people can't afford the price of admission to speak to their Congresswoman at her events."

The Congresswoman's campaign has been contacted for comment.

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