True agents of change are not often identifiable at first glance. There is no radical and indiscriminate standard for appearance, only action.
Chris Garland is the Political Director for the California Faculty Association. A union representing 23,000 faculty members of the California State University system, serves to ensure three main ideals. It states these as "a quality education for our students, fairness for those of us who earn our living as teachers and policies that ensure access to higher education."
Garland, who looks as comfortable in a tailored suit as in a grey fleece sweater and jeans, his gold wedding band always present, has for just over the past two years, enforced, guided and strengthened the union’s commitment to these ideals.
He is passionate about all things he loves. He lights up when discussing his commitment to social justice as much as when speaking of his wife, Lesley, and their marriage, to his hobbies and recreation.
Garland is an avid sports fan. He grew up in Bayonne, NJ, playing baseball and hockey. He adamantly proclaimed that he and Lesley are huge baseball fans.
Embracing his east coast roots, Garland loves the Mets, the Giants and the Rangers.
The first college graduate in his family, he postponed university after his brother’s death to stay with his family and work after graduating high school. At 23, he left for the University of Alabama, where he graduated with a degree in Political Theory with a Religious Studies minor.
From serving on the Committee for Higher Education when staffing his first elected official in D.C. upon his graduation, Garland fostered an uncompromised interest in education. From financing his own, he committed to making higher education more accessible to all students.
Most recently in his work with CFA, Garland authored Assembly Bill 656, presented by Assemblymember Alberto Torrico, D-Fremont.
The bill could be the most important, necessary and effective legislation for the current attack on higher education. AB 656 would levy a severance tax on big oil companies in the state, bringing in over $1 billion for higher public education.
Kevin Wehr, professor of sociology and CSU Sacramento’s CFA chapter president, discussed the reach of the bill and his support of the direction Garland is leading CFA.
“Had [AB 656] have been approved,” Wehr said, “the CSU’s share would have entirely offset this $564 million dollar statewide budget cut. This is the kind of legislation that prevents an entire gentrification of the CSU, and keeps our universities accessible to all students. This is our purpose.”
Garland has decided to run for Assembly in District 9.
There is nothing disingenuine in his apology for coming late to a meeting to discuss his candidacy, due to traffic over which he had no control.
“I’m sorry,” he gently urged attendees to trust, “because I think not being on time is rude and disrespectful.”
And Garland truly embodies the call to respect he addresses. The product of a union family, he believes in loyalty, and an ideal of true social justice. He respects all people, and fights to offer everyone fair opportunity.
Garland was asked why he decided to run.
“Why am I running, I’m running because I’m my father’s son. I saw an injustice-- I see an injustice-- and I have to do something about it,” he stated simply.
He entered this race without a lack of disadvantages. Both short of the present public recognition and financial solidity garnered by his opponents in the months prior to his entering the race, he was not deterred.
Garland faces four strong opponents. A Sacramento County supervisor and two City Council members, respectively, have been in the public eye since long before the bid for election. More so, two of which already sit with over $200,000 in cash on hand.
However, Garland raised $30,000 in just the first five weeks following his announcement to run. He is ambitious in his fundraising goals, and has seen the type of efforts that justify this aim.
Garland has the far-too-rare ability to mobilize people.
Whether compelling individuals and groups to donate to his cause and campaign or motivating student efforts, his conviction truly drives people to take action.
Garland, in speaking to a room of 40 young democrats, student activists, at CSU Sacramento, had over 30 people commit their efforts to his campaign.
“I am confident that I will win this election, but regardless of the outcome, I will still be committed to you all. This is a team and a partnership,” Garland promised. “I want to do everything I can to make sure this club and you, the members, see success.”
He is kind and funny, with a quiet sincerity. “Sorry for walking around,” Garland said in his address, “I can never stand still because of all the caffeine and because I’m perpetually nervous.”
Melissa Hurtado, former College Democrats at CSUS president and one of the students present, has been volunteering as an event coordinator and intern on Garland’s campaign.
“He’s not just asking for our support and time so that he wins this campaign. [Garland] is really giving us an opportunity. He has the resources and connections to hire the best campaign people in the state, but he believes in us students,” Hurtado explained with vigor. “We’re the ones he’s come to, asking for our support and help, and he trusts that we can do as good of a job as more established people. [The students present] are all really excited about him.”
Garland is able to reach into integral parts of the person and create a drive-- people trust in him because he gives them a reason to.
”He’s offering us experience and the potential for jobs. He stresses that all the time and really means it. He’s made himself a resource to us that we really didn’t have before,” Hurtado said. “The best part, though, is that he actually stands for what we believe in. He’s an advocate for us and for justice.”
“[Garland] already gave me a reference for a job with the [California Democratic Party] and the work I get to do on his campaign is the kind of stuff I’d need years of experience to get for anyone else. Now I get to work for the things I believe in, and someone who believes in the same things.”
Garland makes people want to fight as hard as he does for the ideals we share. This is too little seen in modern politicians.
He is the candidate for students and a righteous soldier for social rights and justice. Garland is without question or doubt fighting for the right causes. He is worthy of our support.
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