Rogelio V. Morales

Rogelio V. Morales was a Democratic candidate in the 2008 congressional elections for the 44th Congressional District (map) of California. He was seeking the Democratic nomination to challenge incumbent Rep. Ken Calvert (R-Calif.).

Iraq

 * Morales supports a substantial, responsible redeployment of American forces.
 * Morales supports repairing our relationship with allies and the U.N.
 * Morales supports shutting down Guantanamo Bay's detention camp aka Camp X-Ray immediately.

Health care

 * Morales supports universal healthcare.
 * Morales supports increased funding for the SCHIP program.

Special interests and politics

 * Morales supports the public financing of federal elections.

Education

 * Morales supports efforts to reform No Child Left Behind.
 * Morales supports increasing funding for pre-school programs such as Head Start.

Taxes and the economy

 * Morales supports balancing the budget.
 * Morales supports middle-class tax cuts.
 * Morales supports fiscal responsibility.

Immigration

 * Morales supports a reasonable path to citizenship.
 * Morales opposes construction of wall between Mexico and the United States.

Gay rights

 * Morales opposes a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage.

Torture

 * Morales believes waterboarding is torture.

Energy and environment

 * Morales believes global warming is real and must be addressed.
 * Morales supports environmental protections balanced with business needs.

2008 campaign

 * Morales issues this statement on his reasons for running:

"“Congressman Calvert has lost touch with the values and priorities of the 44th Congressional District. What’s worse, Congressman Calvert is no longer an effective representative to aid our district’s emerging political and economic importance. As your congressman, I promise to restore the special trust and confidence voters demand from their representatives. Indeed, I believe the best and brightest days for our district are still ahead, and I intend to hasten their long-awaited arrival.”"

Bio
Rogelio (pronounced row-hell-leo) was born in Los Angeles, CA. As a first-generation American, Rogelio was raised by illiterate Mexican immigrants whose combined schooling totaled a third-grade education. He attended 92nd Street Elementary School in Watts, Los Angeles, CA. Throughout his childhood, Rogelio was often surrounded by gang violence, poverty and drugs. In 1987, Rogelio’s family moved to the Inland Empire after his father’s job relocated to Riverside, CA. He attended several schools in the district, including Myra Lynn Elementary School, La Sierra Academy and La Sierra High School. In June 1995, Rogelio graduated from John W. North High School. A month later, he joined the United States Marine Corps.

Throughout his enlistment in the Marine Corps, Rogelio received several awards and commendations. In 1997, at the age of 20, he was selected by his unit commander to represent his infantry company in the Marine Corps’ Annual Rifle Squad Competition (ARSC). At the competition’s end, his unit was recognized as the “most combat ready rifle squad in 1st Marine Division.” According to his Navy Achievement Medal citation, Rogelio’s leadership as a fire team leader was “instrumental” to his rifle squad’s first place finish. Later that same year, Rogelio was awarded the ARSC Badge by the Commandant of the Marine Corps, General C.C. Krulak, at an awards ceremony held at Marine Barracks, in Washington, D.C. Looking back on his achievements, however, Rogelio remains humbled by the awesome privilege of once being in command of Americans who chose to serve their country.

After being discharged from active duty in 1999, Rogelio enrolled at Riverside Community College (RCC). At RCC, he excelled at academics and student government. Rogelio graduated in the summer of 2002 and earned the honor of being named the student commencement speaker. That summer, he transferred to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). In 2004, Rogelio graduated from UCLA with a B.A. in Political Science. Then in September 2005, Rogelio enrolled in the Juris Doctorate program at the University of Washington, in Seattle, WA. Rogelio expects his law degree in March 2008.

2008 elections
Morales was seeking the Democratic nomination to challenge Rep. Ken Calvert (R-Calif.) in the 2008 congressional elections.

Committees
Morales will be assigned committees if and when he is elected to Congress.

More background data

 * Full Legal Name: Rogelio Vergara Morales
 * Place of Birth: Martin Luther King, Jr. Hospital in Los Angeles, CA.
 * Age: 30 years old (as of 12/31/2007)
 * Military Rank Attained: Corporal (E-4)
 * Type of Discharge: Honorable
 * Marital Status: Single/ Never Married
 * Political Party: Democrat
 * Religion: Christian - Protestant
 * Other Languages: Spanish

Contact
[mailto:info@morales2008.com info@morales2008.com]

Related SourceWatch articles

 * 2008 U.S. congressional elections
 * 2008 U.S. congressional election dates
 * Portal:California and the U.S. Congress

External resources

 * 2008 Race Tracker page on California's 44th Congressional District
 * Official Morales for Congress website