A gay Latino veteran who fought the military's homophobic "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy and has ties to San Francisco is seeking to be elected to a Southern California congressional seat.
Should he win, Joseph C. Rocha would be the second out Democratic person of color elected to Congress from the state. Rocha, 35, who lives in Escondido with his dog Daytwa, officially launched his campaign July 7 for the Golden State's 50th Congressional District.
He is aiming to oust the Republican incumbent, Congressman Darrell Issa, from his suburban seat northeast of San Diego. Their 2022 contest is expected to be one of the most closely watched in the state next year.