Dear Neighbor, 

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My name is Cristian Mendoza Ruvalcaba, and I am running to represent you in the Oregon State Senate. I was born and raised in Medford, and I understand the challenges our families face because I live them too. Southern Oregon isn’t just where I live—it’s the community that raised me and the place I am proud to call home. 

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Growing up in a Spanish-speaking household, I learned English in grade school while experiencing the realities of a working-class family. I know the resilience and determination it takes for families to build better futures for the next generation. Throughout my career in healthcare, I have cared for patients forced to choose between paying for insulin, buying groceries, or keeping the lights on. Those experiences drive my commitment to building a healthcare system that works for patients, workers, and families alike. 

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As a nurse educator, I see firsthand the barriers college students face—rising tuition, housing costs, and economic uncertainty—as they pursue their dreams. I am also a proud union member and have spent much of my nursing career advocating for safe workplaces, fair pay, and quality patient care. I have worked to ensure that frontline healthcare workers have a voice in the policies that affect their patients and their profession.

 

I have also been a proud leader for immigrant justice, helping pass Senate Bill 1570 (2026) to protect healthcare workers and their patients from ICE and unlawful immigration enforcement. I am committed to ensuring that all Oregonians can live authentically and love freely, without fear. 

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I am running for the Oregon State Senate because Southern Oregon deserves a leader who understands how policy decisions affect real lives. My campaign is focused on strengthening public education, protecting access to healthcare, supporting working families, advancing immigrant and social justice, and making sure our communities are prepared to respond and recover from wildfires and other emergencies. 

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I believe that when workers, students, families, and small businesses come together, we can build a Southern Oregon where everyone has the opportunity not just to get by, but to thrive. I look forward to earning your support and working together toward that future. 

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Gracias,