Morales Journeys From Odd Jobs to City Council

Jorge Morales, the newest member of the City Council, had no intention of attending college after graduating from South Gate High School in 1992.

He instead settled for a series of odd jobs to pay his bills. However, he quickly retreated from this decision after his father was laid off by the company that had employed him for two decades.

The experience changed Morales' opinion about the worth of higher education.

“That’s when I figured out that I needed to get a college degree,” said Morales. “If you don’t have a college degree, it makes it hard to compete and get your foot in the door.”

The 37-year-old councilman did get his foot in the door, then went on to win election to the South Gate council in his first campaign, ousting incumbent Greg Martinez this year on a platform of economic development.

Finding Inspiration

After finishing his general degree requirements at Cerritos College, Morales transferred to California State University Long Beach and majored in political science. However, Morales was not satisfied with some of the classes and found inspiration in another department.

“It wasn’t until I started taking Chicano studies classes that [I was] motivated to get active politically,” said Morales.

As graduation neared, Morales confided to Armando Vazquez-Ramos, a professor of Chicano and Latino Studies at California State Long Beach, that he was not happy with his warehouse job.

Vazquez-Ramos asked Morales to join him on a trip to Sacramento. While on the visit, Morales instantly fell in love with the State Capitol building. He was also impressed with Latino leaders, such as Assemblyman Marco Firebaugh.

“I was like, ‘Oh my God, this is what I want to be, this is what I want to do,’” said Morales.

First Political Break

After Morales' graduation, Vazquez-Ramos called him to tell him of a job opening with Firebaugh, then serving his 2000-2002 term. Morales applied and was hired as a legislative aide.

Laura Barrera, who is special assistant to the California state controller, John Chiang, was Morales’ district director and boss.

“He had an incredible amount of enthusiasm and had the perspective of ‘I want to change the world,’” said Barrera. “I really felt he was genuine.”

When Firebaugh’s term was up, Morales went on to other government-related positions, such as vice president of governmental affairs at Fiesta Taxi and chief of staff to Los Angeles Unified School District board member Yollie Flores. 

Morales current full-time job is as a deputy for Supervisor Gloria Molina, who represents the 1st District of Los Angeles County. It is a position he plans on keeping while serving on the council.

Having worked in various behind-the-scenes positions, Morales opted this year to run for office himself. It proved a difficult task facing voters in his first campaign.

“What was hard was trying to sell yourself,” said Morales.

Voters appeared to be satisfied with the incumbent members of the South Gate City Council, making it hard for Morales to present the case that he was a better choice.

“People were saying that these guys are good people, and I was like, ‘Yes, but here’s what I bring to the table,'” said Morales.

Morales did his best, working months in advance with his campaign committee, and going door-to-door asking residents for their votes.

“He learned to let go and become a candidate,” said Barrera, who managed his campaign.

Election and beyond

In the March 8 election, Morales secured one of three available seats on the City Council with a total of 2,154 votes, the highest among all candidates. 

Since winning office, Morales has gotten married and bought his first house.

He also has been pushing hard for economic development, citing the corner of Firestone Boulevard and Atlantic Boulevard as an area prime for revitalization.

“That old philosophy of build it and they will come does not exist anymore,” said Morales.  “Come invest in our city … the city is really moving forward.” 

Aside from his duties as council member and deputy to Molina, Morales has no immediate ambition to seek higher office, but said he would like to continue spending time with his family and help the residents of South Gate.