REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS DISTRICT 1 VETERANS IN POLITICS ENDORSEMENT INTERVIEWS 2020

REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS DISTRICT 1,
Josh Elliot
Citlaly Labrios-Elias ENDORSED
Joseph Maridon
Robert Van Strawder Jr.

About Citlaly
LAS VEGAS AND THE LAND OF OPPORTUNITY

I was born in Autlan, Jalisco, Mexico on February 19, 1985. My parents immigrated here, to Las Vegas, when I was about 4 years old. They had three children, my older brother Samuel, myself, and my little sister Adriana “Alex.” Our father saw that this surely was the “Land of Opportunity” and desired for us all of the rights and privileges that come with citizenship. All three of us grew up in CD1 on Greenway Drive. The elementary, middle, and high schools we went to were respectively, J.T. McWilliams, Robert O. Gibson, and Western. We did our best to embrace the American dream and ideology. My siblings and I learned both Spanish and English at the same time. Our friends were from all walks of life and cultures. And we always felt accepted by those who live in this country.

LIFE CHANGES

We never really felt the impact of politics in our lives other than that which had to do with immigration, until my freshman year of high school when my brother became the target of a gang initiation. We lost him the next morning to a gunshot wound and rather than celebrate my 15th birthday, as is the tradition in our culture, we were faced with planning a funeral.

Sam had planned to enlist in the Marine Corps and had even gone to the Devil Pups program they have available for the youth. His commitment to our country, though he was not yet a citizen, sparked in me a gratitude for our freedoms. My sister and I were granted citizenship two years after his death. Then 9-11 happened. It was at that moment I knew I had to give back to the country that had protected us for so many years. I enlisted in the Army as a combat medic. Being only 17 I needed both of my parents’ consent but of course, they refused as they had already lost one child. I told them that they could sign the papers then, with my knowledge of their support for my decisions or that I would do it at 18 without their support. They both reluctantly signed.

MY JOURNEY BEGINS

I graduated from high school a semester early to speed up the enlistment process. I did my basic training at Ft. Jackson and then went on to do my combat medic training at Ft. Sam Houston. I injured my back and legs and was discharged for medical reasons a year into my service. Being a disabled veteran I was granted the GI Bill and I took full advantage of it and used it to acquire a bachelor’s of fine arts degree in fashion design. My dream was to start my own business and help impoverished women not only by donating clothing but by teaching them skills that would allow them to be self-sufficient.

I graduated in the summer of 2014. I worked retail jobs while I was doing research to put my plan into action. However, a year later I met the love of my life and we were married on April 30, 2016. I immediately turned my life over to my new family and it has been that way ever since. Our children have left the nest and it is time that I return to my personal commitment to serve my country.

MY NEXT STEP

I grew up here in the 1st Congressional District. As far as I know, my father was a Democrat as we were growing up. I wonder what his votes were worth since there is no evidence of improvement in my community. My husband and I recently purchased a home here, less than two miles from where I grew up. It pains me to see that the area has only decayed in the years I have been away.

Dina Titus has represented CD1 since 2013, just 5 years after the collapse of our economy due to the 2008 subprime mortgage crisis. Nevada was hit hard. The promise from Dina Titus and other leaders was to diversify our economy so we would be shielded from this sort of economic collapse again. Well, welcome 2020 and COVID19. Nevada’s economy once again solely dependent on gaming and entertainment has collapsed again. Dina Titus did nothing to lead us to a stronger and more diverse economy. This alone should be the reason we need younger, more innovative leaders that are not entrenched in the political constraints of partisanship. We need to make decisions that will protect our economy and strengthen our resilience to crisis.