Defending Democracy. Creating Opportunity.
LEO MARTÍNEZ
DEMOCRAT FOR CONGRESS
Leo Martínez is a battle-tested leader who’s made real sacrifices to serve - and will never stop fighting for us.
An international lawyer, graduated from Harvard Law School and Princeton University School of Public and International Affairs, former Venezuelan Congressman, U.S. Department of Commerce Counselor, human rights advocate, small business champion, and Fairfax County parent, Leo is running for Congress to represent this district with honesty, compassion, and courage.
In Venezuela, a country plagued by authoritarianism for the last two decades, Leo was a leading voice in the fight for democracy. For standing up to an increasingly repressive regime, he and his family paid a steep price - government seizure of family assets, physical attacks, kidnapping attempts, and threats of imprisonment. No one understands the fragility of democracy more personally than Leo - and just how vital it is that we defend it.
After being forced from his home and immigrating to the United States, Leo dedicated the next 20 years to public service and advocacy. Here in Virginia, he served our Commonwealth on the University of Mary Washington Board and was a leader on Governor Northam’s Small Business Legislative Committee.
Nationally, he helped found the Latino Victory Fund and served as a member of the Democratic National Committee, working to uplift underrepresented voices in politics.
As a public servant, he’s fought for working families, small businesses, and immigrant communities. As a father and husband, he knows the everyday struggles facing Virginians—from the rising cost of living to the growing threats to our veterans and federal workers.
Leo is running for Congress to restore faith in our institutions and deliver real results - for veterans, federal workers, small business owners, immigrants, and for everyone who still believes America’s best days are ahead.
LEARN MORE ABOUT WHY LEO’S RUNNING FOR CONGRESS
WHAT ISSUES MATTER MOST TO YOU?
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Democracy is the foundation of our nation - and it’s under threat.
No one understands the stakes more than Leo. As a former Congressman in Venezuela, he stood up to authoritarianism and risked everything to defend democratic values. He’s lived through what happens when institutions fail - and he won’t let it happen here.
Leo will fight to protect our elections, defend the rule of law, and ensure our government remains accountable to the people - not to political strongmen or corporate interests.
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The American Dream is slipping away - but we don’t have to let it.
Leo knows what it’s like to start over. He believes that hard work should be enough to build a good life - but today, too many families are working harder than ever and still falling behind.
From groceries to gas, costs are rising, driven in part by Trump’s reckless tariffs. Meanwhile, Republicans in Congress continue to put corporate profits and political stunts ahead of everyday Americans, cutting taxes for the very rich while cutting services for everyone else
Leo will fight to lower costs, support small businesses, and ensure working families are at the center of our economic agenda - because the promise of America should belong to everyone, not just the powerful few.
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Federal workers are public servants, and they shouldn’t be fired without cause for political sport.
Leo Martínez knows firsthand what it means to serve with integrity. As political extremists threaten to dismantle the civil service and punish career federal employees for doing their jobs, Leo is standing up to protect the people who keep our government running.
Federal workers are nurses, firefighters, engineers, and policy experts. They ensure our veterans get care, our food supply stays safe, and our military remains ready. They deserve respect - not political retribution.
In Congress, Leo will fight to strengthen civil service protections, defend merit-based appointments, and stop any attempts to purge federal workers based on loyalty to a political party. Our democracy depends on a government that works for the people, not for partisan gain.
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Immigrants make our country better - and they shouldn’t be scapegoated for political gain.
Leo Martínez is living proof of the American dream. As an immigrant who fled authoritarian rule, he knows what it means to come to this country seeking freedom, safety, and opportunity - and to give back through public service.
Immigrants fuel our economy, start businesses, serve in our military, and care for our families. But instead of recognizing their contributions, too many politicians use immigrants as scapegoats to distract from their own failures.
Leo will fight for a fair, humane immigration reform - one that secures our borders without demonizing people, keeps families together, and honors the dignity of every person who calls this country home. America is stronger because of its immigrants, not in spite of them.
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Healthcare is a right - not a privilege for the wealthy elite.
Leo believes that every American deserves access to quality, affordable healthcare - no matter their income, age, or background. Programs like Medicare, Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Act are lifelines for millions of families, seniors, and children. But Republicans in Congress continue to try to dismantle them - putting lives and livelihoods at risk.
Leo will fight to protect and strengthen these vital programs. That means lowering prescription drug costs, safeguarding coverage for people with pre-existing conditions, and stopping any effort to cut benefits or privatize care.
Healthcare shouldn't be a luxury for the wealthy elite. It’s a promise - and Leo will make sure we keep it.
Public Education
Every child deserves a world-class education. As a father of three, Derek will prioritize our children’s futures.
Derek believes education unlocks opportunities and a brighter future. As a father of three young children in public schools and a youth mentor, he is committed to ensuring every child receives a quality education. Derek will fight to raise teachers' wages, invest in community public schools, support early childhood education programs, and expand vocational education and job training opportunities.
Gun Violence
Every three hours, someone is killed with a gun in California. We need to do better.
Churches, offices, hair salons, schools… there is no place safe from gun violence. Despite the fact that this level of gun violence ONLY happens here in America, our politicians are still refusing to take action. How many more kids have to die before something changes?
As a father of three, Derek knows that it’s past time to take action on gun violence. He will stand up to the National Rifle Association (NRA), advocating for universal background checks and a ban on assault weapons to get guns off our streets.
Crime & Public Safety
Derek Tran protected our country in the U.S. Army, and now he’ll protect our families at home.
Derek is dedicated to community safety. He aims to put more police officers on the streets to combat rising crime and ensure dangerous criminals are imprisoned. Additionally, Derek will push for greater investment in violence prevention and rehabilitation programs to tackle the root causes of crime.
Reproductive Rights
When it comes to abortion rights, Southern California has a choice to make this year:
Derek Tran Believes Women Should Decide
Derek Tran believes that decisions over family planning should be made by women, their families, and their doctors — not politicians. Derek is 100% pro-choice and is a fierce advocate for women’s rights.
His Opponent Would Put Women’s Health At Risk
Derek Tran’s opponent, Michelle Steel, co-sponsored a bill TWICE that could lead to a national abortion ban (including right here in Southern California) without any exceptions – even in cases of rape, incest, or to save a woman’s life. She even supported banning IVF – despite admitting to using IVF herself.
Michelle Steel is a hypocrite who wants to take away your individual rights.
Standing Up to Communist Dictators
Derek’s family fled a brutal Communist regime in Vietnam, giving him firsthand knowledge of the horrors of totalitarianism.
He is determined to stand against Chinese Communist rule. In Congress, he will advocate for democracy, human rights, and freedom of expression. He will support measures to counter Chinese Communist aggression and expansionism, while engaging in strategic diplomacy to protect American interests and strengthen alliances.
Housing & Homelessness
“It is unfathomable that in a state as wealthy as California, in a country as prosperous as the United States, we have such a major homelessness issue.”
- Dave Min
Dave has a plan to address the homelessness and housing crisis:
Expand efforts to fund affordable housing
Ease the barriers that prevent lower-income households from accessing housing
Develop new housing and rehab existing housing to create more opportunities and lower costs
Address and fund mental health and substance abuse solutions for the chronically homeless
100% Rating by California YIMBY (Yes In My Backyard), the leading pro-housing group in the state
Reproductive Rights
When it comes to abortion rights, Orange County has a choice to make this year:
Dave Min Believes Women Should Decide
Dave Min believes that decisions over family planning should be made by women, their families, and their doctors — not politicians. As a fierce advocate for women’s rights, Dave authored leading legislation to codify abortion rights in California’s state Constitution.
And he proudly has a 100% rating from Planned Parenthood and Reproductive Freedom for All (formerly NARAL).
His Opponent Would Put Women’s Health At Risk
Scott Baugh does not support abortion in any form – even in cases of rape, incest, or danger to a woman’s life.
Gun Violence
Every three hours, someone is killed with a gun in California.
We need to do better.
Churches, offices, hair salons, schools… there is no place safe from gun violence. Despite the fact that this level of gun violence ONLY happens here in America, our politicians are still refusing to take action. How many more kids have to die before something changes?
Dave has a long history of fighting to make Orange County safer from gun violence, including authoring bills that banned gun shows at the Orange County Fairgrounds and on all state property.
Dave Min is fighting for a safer future for our kids.
Climate Change
From oil spills to wildfires, earthquakes, droughts, and extreme heat, Orange County families are on the front lines of the climate crisis.
Our kids deserve a safe and sustainable future. That’s why Dave has long prioritized tackling the climate crisis, including authoring important bills to ban offshore drilling, decarbonize transportation and household appliances, and hold massive corporations accountable for their carbon footprints.
Dave is proud to be the only candidate in this race endorsed by and rated 100% by Sierra Club.
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“I will bring my experience as an international lawyer, a former Venezuelan Congressman, former Counselor with the U.S. Department of Commerce, a human rights activist, an advocate for small businesses, and a Fairfax County parent to represent this district with honesty, compassion, and courage.”