Building the Bench Gathering Empowers, Encourages Latinas to Run for Office
Tanisha Gomez and Dr. Patricia Campos-Media at the Latina Civic Action Building the Bench Gathering in Millville on June 27, 2026. Photo by AC JosepH
BY CLYDE HUGHES | AC JosepH Media
MILLVILLE – Cumberland County Commissioner Yolanda Garcia Balicki said that when she was elected to her seat on the board in November, she had her mother, Hilda, to thank for helping inspire her path.
Garcia Balicki recognized her mother during the Latinas Building the Bench Gathering at Reece’s Place on Saturday morning, June 27, an event focused on nurturing and recruiting Latinas to run for elected office and pursue other leadership positions.
The gathering, which drew women from across Cumberland County, was hosted by the statewide Latina Civic Action and Vineland Democratic Latino Caucus. Tanisha Gomez, who ran to join Garcia Balicki on the Cumberland County Commission, served as emcee.
“My mom was an activist before she even knew what the words activist meant,” said Garcia Balicki, with her mother seated beside her. “She would take all the women from our church to Vineland for care. She made sure they had access to healthcare.
“To me, I felt it was important to always give back. She was my inspiration. She has always been a true champion to all of my sisters. She told me to go out and live my dream.”
In turn, Hilda Garcia praised her daughter, who is also a full?time immigration attorney, for having the courage to pursue her goals.
“She’s doing everything I wanted to do but never got a chance to do it,” Garcia said.
The gathering followed Gomez narrowly missing a spot to advance from the Democratic primary in the Cumberland County Commissioner race, and Bridgeton Library Director Michelle Azpiri running for a seat on the Bridgeton City Council.
That seat was eventually won by U.S. Sen. Andy Kim.
“We had spent 20 years telling Latinas they have to step up and run. Now we have a high?ranking seat open, and if I didn’t run, we were not living up to our values,” Campos?Medina told attendees.
“By running, I wanted the daughter of the housekeeper, the daughter of the nurse, to understand that they can step up and run. [Former New Jersey First Lady], ended up dropping out and I came in second to Andy Kim.”
Maria Laboy, a retired educator and currently vice chair of the CompleteCare Health Network Board of Directors, said she lost her first political race but felt it had a larger impact on Latinas in the county.
“It opened other doors for Latinas to come in,” Laboy said. “I thought if they saw me out there, then they may not be afraid.”
Former Vineland City Councilwoman Mayra Arroyo said she remains committed to public service.
“I’m here today because I want to continue to be involved,” she said. “I’m passionate about our community. I’m passionate about women, making sure we protect ourselves.”
The event drew Latina leaders from across the county, including educator and Rowan College of South Jersey executive Shirley Santos, leaders of the Vineland Latina Caucus, and members of the Cumberland County Democratic Committee.
Gomez said the support she received in her recent primary loss has only strengthened her resolve to run again.
“I really don’t feel like I lost,” Gomez told the audience. “I feel like I had a learning experience.”
That message captured Campos?Medina’s central theme: encouraging Latinas to throw their hats in the ring, run for office, and give voters the opportunity to elect them.
“You cannot be what you cannot see,” Campos?Medina said, emphasizing the importance of representation and ensuring the public—and the Hispanic community—can see Latina candidates stepping forward.
“What I love doing is going around the state meeting women like you,” she added. “You are the ones who have to build the bench in Cumberland County. Nobody else is going to do it for you.”
Latina Civic Action helps train, encourage, and empower Latinas, while Latina Civic PAC provides financial support to candidates and their campaigns.
Latina Civic Action advocates for the rights of Latinas to have a seat at the table in government and politics so that the community can have a voice in enacting policies that encourage economic opportunity, equity, and inclusion across all areas of society. Its goal is to directly engage voters and educate them to vote for the issues and candidates that advance its mission of empowering Latinas and their families.
Latina Civic Action builds political power and promotes policy solutions that improve the lives of Latinas and their families through legislative advocacy, electoral education, and voter engagement to advance progressive political and policy change.
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