Biden Shows Support in Colton

Vice President Joe Biden and California State Senator Alex Padilla joined Redlands Mayor Pete Aguilar in a Get Out the Vote rally three days before Tuesday's election, held at Colton High School's Ken Hubbs gymnasium Saturday afternoon, Nov. 1, showing support for Aguilar's campaign for the California Congressional District 31 seat and Padilla's race for Secretary of State. Other public officials who spoke out in support of Aguilar included Colton City Mayor Sarah Zamora, State Assemblymember Cheryl Brown and Colton Joint Unified School District (CJUSD) Board Member Dan Flores, among others. To a crowded room filled with district residents, local public officials and dozens of media members, Padilla, Aguilar and Biden, all Democrats, spoke about the needs of middle class Americans and how they felt Democrats were prepared to meet those needs. "Vice President Biden, Senator Padilla and myself all know that when the middle class is strong, our country is strong," Aguilar said Saturday. Aguilar said a strong middle class is founded on education, where "every child has an equal opportunity at success," a fair economy that includes a rise in the minimum wage, equal pay legislation for women and "making sure corporations pay their fair share," as well as supporting seniors, medicare and social security for current and future retirees. Vice President Biden said Aguilar had qualities needed in Congress. "He can get things done with Republicans and Democrats. He's trusted by both sides. He works across the aisle to balance the budget while protecting funding for students and for seniors. That's not an easy job," Biden said. "...That's what you need more of in Congress." Biden went on, "This is not your father's Republican party, folks. This is a different deal... The question of this race is: who do you believe, and what do they believe?" The City News provides video coverage of Saturday's rally. To view Padilla's speech, click on Padilla's thumbnail, the first in the series. To view Aguilar's speech, click on Aguilar's thumbnail, the second in the series. To view Biden's speech, click on Biden's thumbnail, the third in the series. You may also view all three speeches in the video below.