WHO IS "GWEN THE DEM"? | Gwen The Dem For Congress

The Difference Between Experience and Understanding

The race for the 41st District of California has a number of remarkable candidates vying to represent it. Several Democratic candidates, not including myself, — each accomplished, dedicated, and passionate about service.

These are great people — educators, veterans, entrepreneurs, and community leaders. Each would bring valuable insight to Congress.

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Where I Fit In

And then there’s me — Gwendolyn “Gwen the Dem” Molina.

My résumé doesn’t read like a typical politician’s. I’m a mother of four with a degree in Graphic Design. I’ve worked in customer service, run my own Etsy shop, and freelanced to make ends meet. I’ve lived paycheck to paycheck, relied on SNAP and Medi-Cal, and even experienced homelessness.

I know what it’s like to work hard and still come up short — to face the fear, frustration, and exhaustion that comes with living in a system stacked against ordinary people. I’m not imagining that struggle. I’ve lived it.

And as of now, I’m the only candidate in this race who actually lives in the newly drawn 41st District. The Inland Empire’s needs aren’t the same as Los Angeles and Orange County, and it matters to have a representative who understands life here — not from a policy paper, but from lived reality.

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Why I’m Running

I’m running because I know what it’s like.

Our government is full of people who talk about the working class but don’t live like the working class. I’ve been laid off, priced out, denied healthcare, and left behind by technology and greed. That gives me something no degree or title can — understanding.

I’m running to:

Fight for a real living wage
Make housing truly affordable
Ensure healthcare is a human right, not a privilege
Protect and expand our social safety nets
Stop the cruelty and inhumanity of ICE

Because when you’ve lived these struggles, you don’t need a briefing to understand them — you just need a platform to fix them.

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Why Choose Me

Every candidate in this race is accomplished. But this election isn’t just about credentials — it’s about connection.

I may not have the most polished résumé, but I have the right one for this moment. What I bring is empathy born from experience. I’ve faced the same challenges as the people I want to represent — and that’s what we’ve been missing in Congress for far too long.

Because how can you lead the people if you don’t really know the people?

I’m Gwendolyn “Gwen the Dem” Molina, and I’m running to be the Representative of California’s 41st District — because I know what it’s like and it’s time someone who truly understands our struggles, fights for us in Washington.