Union launches new Spanish-language ad for Jerry Brown

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A union-backed campaign committee launched a new Spanish-language TV ad Tuesday hammering Republican gubernatorial nominee Meg Whitman on her opposition to university access for illegal immigrants.

The ad features images of Democratic candidate Jerry Brown and Cesar Chavez with narration by the labor leader’s niece, Dr. Christina Chavez. “When Jerry Brown was governor, he fought alongside my uncle Cesar Chavez to garner fair wages for workers and help open the doors for a generation of Latinos to gain access to education and be successful,” says Christina Chavez in the 30-second spot. “Now Republican Meg Whitman wants to prevent undocumented students from attending college, taking away their opportunity to succeed.”

Funded by the Service Employees International Union, the spot is part of Cambiando California’s $5 million effort to help elect Brown and boost his standing with Latino voters. The ad is airing in Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Diego, Fresno, Bakersfield, Monterey and Palm Springs.

The issue recalls a tense moment from Saturday’s debate when an undocumented student at Cal State Fresno asked both candidates for their positions on the DREAM Act, which would provide an opportunity for citizenship for some illegal immigrants who arrived in the United States as children, complete some college or military experience and meet other requirements. Brown supports the legislation. Whitman said she was opposed to it and stood by her proposal to ban undocumented students from state-funded universities, saying legal California residents were losing access to state colleges.

She has said she would allow undocumented students to attend taxpayer-sponsored schools until 12th grade, but no further. ‘I am so pleased by your success,’ she said, before noting that budget cuts have limited university enrollment. ‘I don’t think it’s fair to bar and eliminate the ability of California citizens to attend higher university and favor undocumenteds.’

--Michael J. Mishak in Sacramento