Veronica Vasquez is a lifelong resident of Delano and a prominent member of the city’s political sphere. First elected in 2020, Vasquez helped represent the city of Delano and participated in decisions that shape the lives of more than 50,000 residents.
Prior to her election, Vasquez served as a social worker and labor organizer for more than a decade. However, her journey into public service did not begin with her professional career, but rather in her early childhood. Vasquez comes from a long line of United Farm Workers (UFW) organizers, where she first learned the importance of public service.
“My sister and I carried on our family tradition. Our grandparents did fundraising for the United Farm Workers growing up. Of course, my aunts and uncles were a part of it, and as kids, we just saw it; we saw the different work that they did,” said Vasquez.
Vasquez recalls that although she knew her family was involved in important work, she did not fully understand the magnitude of their mission until she attended California State University, East Bay.
“It was an eye-opener for me when I went to college because that’s when I realized the things I lived with in my childhood were a big deal and part of a big movement,” said Vasquez.
Since July 2024, Vasquez has not been able to be directly involved in city council decisions after being diagnosed with cancer and choosing to prioritize her health. Despite her diagnosis, Vasquez has remained involved in any way she can. She was sworn into the Delano Planning Commission in March 2025 and ran to be a delegate for the Democratic Party, where she is now serving her fourth term. Vasquez also recently enrolled in “Emerge,” a national organization that recruits and trains Democratic women to run for public office.
“Things happen for a reason, but I’m doing things now that I normally wouldn’t do, like applying to this program, because I was always so busy doing multiple things. I slowed down, and that’s what encouraged me to find out about this program…because I don’t know if I want to run again or if I want to help other women run. said Vasquez.
Vasquez mentioned that she wants to be the stepping stone for women in politics, by attending this program she hopes to gain insight to not only further her political career but to help other women’s.
“One thing I’ve learned over the years is that in the Central Valley, we don’t have many resources for women to run…I focus on women because a lot of the times we are still considered the underdogs…That program teaches us how to fundraise, how to dress, and I never had that formal training and thats how I envision helping women do here locally,” said Vasquez.
Vasquez also credits her personal and professional endeavors to the movement she grew up experiencing.
“It makes sense why I ended up the way I did in so many ways. When I was in college, I was on the academic senate, helping make decisions for students. I started a Latina sorority, and the issues we focused on then are the same things I focus on now: women’s health, higher education, farmworkers’ rights, and immigration rights. Not much has changed. That was my focus in college twenty-plus years ago, and I learned it as a kid by following what my grandparents and parents did,” said Vasquez.
Vasquez’s story reflects the continuity of service across generations. From her early exposure to the UFW movement to her work as a social worker, labor organizer, and elected official, she has consistently centered her efforts on community service, advocacy, and representation. Vasquez continues to represent the people of Delano and hopes to keep making a meaningful difference.
Prior to her election, Vasquez served as a social worker and labor organizer for more than a decade. However, her journey into public service did not begin with her professional career, but rather in her early childhood. Vasquez comes from a long line of United Farm Workers (UFW) organizers, where she first learned the importance of public service.
“My sister and I carried on our family tradition. Our grandparents did fundraising for the United Farm Workers growing up. Of course, my aunts and uncles were a part of it, and as kids, we just saw it; we saw the different work that they did,” said Vasquez.
Vasquez recalls that although she knew her family was involved in important work, she did not fully understand the magnitude of their mission until she attended California State University, East Bay.
“It was an eye-opener for me when I went to college because that’s when I realized the things I lived with in my childhood were a big deal and part of a big movement,” said Vasquez.
Since July 2024, Vasquez has not been able to be directly involved in city council decisions after being diagnosed with cancer and choosing to prioritize her health. Despite her diagnosis, Vasquez has remained involved in any way she can. She was sworn into the Delano Planning Commission in March 2025 and ran to be a delegate for the Democratic Party, where she is now serving her fourth term. Vasquez also recently enrolled in “Emerge,” a national organization that recruits and trains Democratic women to run for public office.
“Things happen for a reason, but I’m doing things now that I normally wouldn’t do, like applying to this program, because I was always so busy doing multiple things. I slowed down, and that’s what encouraged me to find out about this program…because I don’t know if I want to run again or if I want to help other women run. said Vasquez.
Vasquez mentioned that she wants to be the stepping stone for women in politics, by attending this program she hopes to gain insight to not only further her political career but to help other women’s.
“One thing I’ve learned over the years is that in the Central Valley, we don’t have many resources for women to run…I focus on women because a lot of the times we are still considered the underdogs…That program teaches us how to fundraise, how to dress, and I never had that formal training and thats how I envision helping women do here locally,” said Vasquez.
Vasquez also credits her personal and professional endeavors to the movement she grew up experiencing.
“It makes sense why I ended up the way I did in so many ways. When I was in college, I was on the academic senate, helping make decisions for students. I started a Latina sorority, and the issues we focused on then are the same things I focus on now: women’s health, higher education, farmworkers’ rights, and immigration rights. Not much has changed. That was my focus in college twenty-plus years ago, and I learned it as a kid by following what my grandparents and parents did,” said Vasquez.
Vasquez’s story reflects the continuity of service across generations. From her early exposure to the UFW movement to her work as a social worker, labor organizer, and elected official, she has consistently centered her efforts on community service, advocacy, and representation. Vasquez continues to represent the people of Delano and hopes to keep making a meaningful difference.
