A cancer survivor, former farmer, and current nonprofit healthcare leader, Bobby is a practical progressive who was raised in the Central Valley and understands firsthand the unique culture and needs of the community.

The son of Hmong refugees, Bobby Bliatout's family fought alongside American soldiers to combat communism during the Secret Wars of Laos. With the help of the refugee resettlement program, Bobby's family sowed its roots in California when he was four years old.

When Bobby was growing up, his father worked hard to provide for his family–taking a variety of jobs to make ends meet-from a Greyhound bus station janitor to a restaurant manager while he worked his way through college. Eventually, both of Bobby's parents saved enough money to open their own small business.

As a young man, street gangs and violence plagued his community. Bobby found his refuge in nature and education. He became an avid hunter and fisherman. As much as time would allow, Bobby took off into the Sierra foothills to hunt mule deer and fish for bass and trout. Bob also dedicated himself to his education, attending community college and eventually graduating from Cal State Bakersfield.

After graduating from Cal State University, Bakersfield, Bobby did what many Central Valley residents have done for generations–he became a farmer. While Bobby eventually realized full-time farming wasn't his passion, he still leases his farmland and has deep appreciation for agriculture.

Now, Bobby is the Chief Executive Officer of Fresno-based community clinics and a founder and Chief Information and Financial Officer of Sacramento-based community clinics. His clinics provide medical, dental, behavioral health and many other services to more than 100,000 patients and employs nearly 300 people.

But life was not always easy for Bobby and his wife Mouang -- a registered nurse. As they worked their way through school and began a family, Bobby and Mouang found it necessary to ask for government assistance to help feed their family for a short time. And shortly after starting the community clinics, Bobby tragically developed cancer.

While he is now blessed to be 5 years cancer-free, this experience shaped Bobby’s sensible and compassionate approach to public policy.

 I am a father, wartime United States Marine Corps veteran, college graduate, graduate student; Central Valley born and raised with roots in agriculture stemming from my time spent working on my family farm in Selma, CA. I joined the Marine Corps at the age of 17 in 2005 and, having just turned 20, was deployed to Iraq in 2007. Despite becoming extremely ill on my first deployment, I again deployed in 2008, celebrating my 21st birthday over the Atlantic Ocean and purchasing my first beer in Germany while in transit to Iraq. My sickness from my first deployment eventually caused me to be medically separated from the Marine Corps in 2012. I earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology in 2017. I started a Master of Science in Counseling/Marriage, Family, and Child Therapy program in 2018 and expect to graduate in 2021. I have been married for 11 years to the love of my life and have three young children.  

A Government of the people, by the people, and for the people has one responsibility and that one responsibility is the people. Without the people our government would not exist so it is only natural that the government ensures the safety and prosperity of the people. Certain individuals are able to properly provide for their family and themselves, however some may be unable to do so due to various circumstances. It is in the best interest for the Nation as a whole to ensure everyone is able to be or become self-efficient to their respective best level possible. Ensuring such things as drinkable water, medical care, livable wages, affordable housing, and so much more can help everyone regardless of their situation.