Political Action
Reynoso got more involved in both local and state politics in the 1960s, emphasizing his commitment to education and empowering historically underrepresented people. While his run for state Assembly would be his first and last attempt at elected office, he continued to use his considerable talents to make change for the Imperial Valley and "Spanish-speaking" Californians. After his failed bid for the state Assembly, he joined the Pat Brown administration as a personal secretary to the Governor, as well as an advisor on the state Fair Employment Practices Commission. When Governor Brown lost reelection to challenger Ronald Reagan, Reynoso left formal state politics to work for the California Rural Legal Assistance (CRLA). As the Executive Director of CRLA, he dedicated his work to protecting the rights of rural peoples in California and inspired a generation of lawyers. These years provided Reynoso with a clear direction on what he wanted to fight for and influenced his thinking when he became a law professor at the University of New Mexico and, later, as a California Supreme Court justice.
"Reynoso Seeks Demo Backing for Assembly," Imperial Valley Weekly (1/30/1964)
Reynoso ran for Assembly in 1964, which was also a presidential election year. This election is most famous as a victory for President Lyndon Johnson and a loss for the conservative movement, embodied in Republican presidential candidate Barry Goldwater (R-AZ). In his campaign, Reynoso sought to tie his candidacy to President Johnson and his brand of liberalism: "In the coming campaign, my voice shall be a clear voice for finding responsible solutions on a county and statewide level for those great domestic issues stressed by President Johnson"
Campaign Flyer (May 1964)
"Democracy works through an informed public"
Spaghetti Feed Ticket (May 1964)
Photograph of Cruz Reynoso with Vice Presidential Candidate Hubert H. Humphrey, Imperial Valley Weekly (August 1964)
Open Letter from Cruz Reynoso to Victor E. Vesey [Republican Candidate for Assembly], Holtville Tribune (1964)
In this open letter, Reynoso responds to his Republican opponent who claimed that the "Communist People's World applauds our opponent and urges election." Here, Reynoso reminds the reader of his service in the Army and in the Counter-Intelligence Corps. Rather than resorting to name calling, he invited his opponent to "[discuss] the needs of the working man and in discussing the needs of our farmers."
Taco Feed Ad, Imperial Valley Press (October 1964)
"Reynoso Calls Education Key Issue in Campaign," San Diego Union (10/23/1964)
"The roots of democracy and the basis of our economic well-being are found in a strong educational system open to all, the rich and the poor"
Vote for Cruz Reynoso for Assemblyman, Calpatria Herald (10/29/1964)
Campaign Brochure - "Cruz Reynoso (Democrat) Candidate for Assemblyman" (1964)
In this campaign brochure, Reynoso emphasizes his qualifications for office, including his involvement in community organizations and his anti-communist training. During the 1960s, the realities of the Cold War encouraged candidates to proclaim their commitment to anti-communism and to the political ideals of the United States.
Get Out the Vote Flyer (1964)
"Democracy works when each voter considers the qualifications and programs of each candidate." Ultimately, Reynoso would lose his election to the state Assembly, but he became involved in other issues throughout the state. Most notably, he joined the Brown administration as a personal secretary to Governor Edmund G. "Pat" Brown, Sr.
Christmas Card Lists (1965-1971)
Reynoso Identification Card (1966)
Quote from a Governor Brown Re-Election Brochure (1966)
This quote comes from a brochure for the "Viva Pat Brown" branch of Governor Brown's re-election campaign. In the brochure, the campaign details Brown's record of accomplishments and argues that Reagan will not care about the issues facing the Spanish-speaking community. During the second half of the 20th century, many different terms were used to try to identify spanish-speaking people together, for example the term embraced by the federal government: Hispanic. During the 1960s, the term Chicano became popular among some Mexican-American people, while others within the community viewed it as a radical designation. More commonly today, the term Latina or Latino is used to cover many people with historical or personal connections to Latin America. Others continue to promote terms like Latinx or Latiné to encourage the recognition of gender diversity within this large community.
California Rural Legal Assistance Press Release (1969)
CRLA announced Reynoso's appointment as Executive Director in a press release in March 1969. As he said upon accepting the appointment, he looked forward to enforcing the rights of "rural people who face a multiplicity of problems which the lawyer can help to solve"
Letter from Dean Edward Barrett, Jr. to Cruz Reynoso (1969)
Reynoso agreed to give a guest lecture at UC Davis about the "Legal Problems of the Disadvantaged" in King Hall. This was one of many times Reynoso spoke to UC Davis Law students and shared his perspectives on law and justice.
Letter from Roger Mahony to Cruz Reynoso (1970)
In 1970, Cruz Reynoso developed a strained relationship with United Farm Workers Leader Cesar Chavez. Reynoso was reluctant to use CRLA funds, given by the state and federal government, to provide legal consultation directly to a labor organization. He did not want to antagonize state/national political leaders, and as the Executive Director of CRLA, did not want to jeopardize the agency's funding. In this letter, Roger Mahony (then-Diocesan Director in Fresno) offers his support to lessen the tension between the two organizations. Throughout the 1960s and 70s, the plight of farmworkers received attention and support from a variety of organizations, including some labor leaders, Catholic Church officials and lay members, as well as legal organizations.
Documents related to the Investigation of the CRLA by the Reagan Administration (1970)
Governor Ronald Reagan owed a significant portion of his election to Agribusiness leaders in the state. These supporters distrusted CRLA and pressured the Governor to weaken it. In 1970, Governor Reagan threatened to withhold the agency's funding pending a further investigation. Executive Director Reynoso responded by defending the CRLA's work and gesturing to a federal Office of Economic Opportunity report with "findings [that] were generally highly favorable." This investigation had national implications because Republican President Richard Nixon did not want to embarrass the California governor and needed to navigate a contentious situation. Ultimately, Reynoso challenged the Reagan Administration's efforts and successfully cleared CRLA's name two years later.
Cruz Reynoso's Resume (November 1971)
"Distinguished Panel Heads McGeorge Legal Symposium," De Minimis (1972)
As Director of CRLA, Reynoso served as a speaker on Poverty Law and shared his experiences with law students at McGeorge. He regularly gave talks about how to protect the rights of impoverished peoples and how to make law more equitable.
"Reynoso, CRLA Top Man, Quits," Oakland Tribune (1972) and "Director of CRLA Resigns," San Francisco Chronicle (1972)
After years of dedication to the issues of rural communities, Reynoso decided to resign as Director of the CRLA to pursue a faculty position at the University of New Mexico's Law School (UNM)
"Cruz Reynoso First Latin Law Professor with Tenure in U.S.," El Mundo (1972)
Documents related to Land Grant Research led by Professor Reynoso (1966-1972)
These documents detail Reynoso's study of the United States's violations of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. After the Mexican-American War, Mexicans residing in the United States were to gain citizenship rights under the federal government and retain their property rights. These documents detail how Reynoso participated in research to address land claims in the courts to continue to defend the rights and privileges of Mexican people and their descendants. These documents span Reynoso's time at CRLA through his time as a professor at UNM. In New Mexico, Reynoso connected with activists in the Land Grant movement who hoped to regain property seized from Mexican people.
United Community Fund Speech Notes (1976)
"It is a responsibility to fellow human beings because they are fellow human beings"