Sergio Sanchez was the kind of person who seemed able to be everywhere at once—he was involved in just about every cause in Salinas, sometimes as a staff member and sometimes as a volunteer, a dedicated organizer who kept his finger on the pulse of community affairs and politics.
He died last week at 59 years old.
Sanchez spent his early childhood in Mexico before immigrating at 13 to the U.S., and attributed his dedication to community service to his parents.
He was recognized for his leadership in 2001 by the ACLU, when he was working as a union director for the SEIU Local 817, district director for LULAC (League of United Latin American Citizens) and other leadership roles. "I say it's not work to me, it's a family activity," he told the Weekly at the time. "Some people go camping. We go picketing."
Besides his own time serving in public office, he was routinely involved behind the scenes in get-out-the-vote campaigns, feeding and motivating volunteers, and encouraging others to run for office. His wife, Lupe Sanchez, is also a former board member of the Monterey County Office of Education.
Sanchez strove to make campaigning fun and inclusive, inviting his children's friends over for pizza before door-knocking. He welcomed anyone interested (including the press) into his home to participate.
He worked on many political campaigns and was a staff member to other elected officials and served himself as a member of Salinas City Council from 2002-2012. (After he did not advance past the primary in 2012 in a bid for county supervisor, he intended to run for a fourth term on City Council, but did not due to a paperwork error.)
Sanchez was involved in multiple redistricting processes, viewing it as a critical tool to empower historically disenfranchised communities. He then ran campaigns for many candidates who went on to victory, including Luis Alejo, at the time a member of the California State Assembly (and currently a county supervisor).
From 2010-2013, Sanchez worked as the 30th Assembly District director for Alejo.
"Sergio was one of the best community organizers I have ever known," Alejo wrote in a statement. "At a time when many thought it was impossible, he stood with me and helped lead our historic victory to the State Assembly in 2010. His belief in our community, his strategic brilliance, hard work ethic, and his tireless dedication made that moment, and so many others, possible."
Among major accomplishments during that time, Alejo noted AB 60, the law that gives undocumented immigrants in California the ability to get a driver's license and minimum wage increases. "We worked side by side to advance landmark legislative change," Alejo wrote.
Later on, Sanchez also worked for the influential California Strawberry Commission where he held a farmworker relations position.
That seemed to be his comfort zone—moving in circles of power, striving to represent the underrepresented.
According to a statement posted by Sanchez's family on social media, memorial services are still being scheduled.
"Sergio never stopped fighting to improve the lives of others," Alejo added. "His impact on our community is lasting and he will be missed."