It was a “victory” celebration on Main Street in Garden Grove at a campaign headquarters on election night, but not in the way you’d expect. It was not an Obama celebration, or a Proposition 8-relief party, or even a celebration for a candidate that was going to win their race.
“This is a victory party, and we are here to celebrate all the hard work we’ve done, and all of our great volunteers,” said Rosemarie Avila, a Republican Congressional hopeful in California’s 47th national district. The Biola Alum (’71) and board of trustees member, known simply as “Rosie,” ran for congress this election in a unique and refreshing campaign.
“I’ve run a real grassroots campaign, based on a lot of volunteer effort,” she said. “I have a different philosophy. Some people try and use their volunteers as little as they can. I like to have my volunteers commit their lives to me.”
Avila invites volunteers to join her campaign family and makes them feel right at home. In her “victory” speech on Tuesday, Avila spent less time talking about her campaign, or her stances, and more on sincerely thanking and honoring all the friends who made her campaign possible.
Family is an extremely important facet of Avila’s life. She is a mother of five; one, Lauren Avila, is a 2008 Biola grad and another, Jordan, is a junior and member of the AS social board. She has always been connected with Biola, receiving her bachelor’s degree in ’71 and her master’s degree in 2001 from the university.
“I’ve been on the board of trustees at Biola for 16 years, its been a wonderful experience,” she said. “I’ve gotten to know four presidents.”
Sam Sutherland was in office when Avila was at school, and she recalled working with Richard Chase in her younger years.
“I actually ironed his kids’ clothes,” she said.
“Biola really prepared me for what I’m doing now,” Avila said.
She told the story of how she felt called to be at Biola as a teenager, and even though she received no support from her father and worked 30 hours a week, she graduated and pursued a successful career.
“I really learned to trust God for finances,” Avila said, referring to her college experience. “Even in my campaign, God just says, ‘do what’s in your heart, and I’ll be there.’ The money just stays a little bit ahead of us.”
In 17 years of school board campaigns and this year’s congressional run, Avila has never suffered a post-campaign debt.
In a political world that is driven by money, Avila makes her voice heard without relying upon finances. In this campaign, she had a $46,000 budget, compared to her opponent’s $1.2 million dollar budget.
Her philosophy is simple. “God always gives you enough to do what you need to do,” she said.
The shortage of money has made the campaign trail a rocky one. In her eight months of campaigning, the OC Register never published a story on her. And Rosie did not run a single television ad, or even appear on any major radio broadcasts.
“Its harder to get people to know my name, because there is no ballot statement,” said Rosie, comparing the congressional election to her prior experience in school board races. “People don’t know anything about you unless you pay for it. It’s very hard to get the word out … I’d like to think God had a very special strategy.”
Rosie has overcome financial barriers in past campaigns. One school board election, she was out-funded 12 to 1. She won that election 3 to 1, despite the financial lopsidedness.
“I’ve had, like David, good experiences where I’ve killed the lion and the bear,” she said. “So, that’s why I’m after this Goliath.”
When the votes were tallied, Avila failed in her attempt to take a seat in the House. Incumbent Loretta Sanchez will return for her 7th term, after receiving 66 percent of the vote in Tuesday’s election.
But Rosie and her campaign were a refreshing break from the often oppressive political world. The system would be done a service if more like Rosie entered the realm of politics. Even if she didn’t win, her influence is still felt.
