SEIU members are asking candidates for California Governor, Lt. Governor, State Superintendent for Public Instruction, State Attorney General and for the State Senate and Assembly to "Walk a Day in Our Shoes."

Today, State Superintendent hopeful Gloria Romero is spending the day at a middle school in South Gate. Her opponent, Larry Aceves, has already walked a day with L.A.'s Lincoln High School cafeteria worker Eladia Vazquez.

SEIU California President Bill A. Lloydsaid:

"When a politician weighs cutting home care, slashing Child Welfare Services, or outsourcing school workers' jobs, we feel a lot more confident if he or she has walked a day in an SEIU member's shoes. Doing leads to understanding, and understanding SEIU members' hard work and heart means valuing our contributions."

Walk a Day in My Shoes is a one-of-a-kind opportunity for candidates to experience firsthand what it's like to work and raise a family today by spending time with SEIU members on the job and with their families.

SEIU launched Walk a Day in My Shoes in 2007 to ensure that our next President understood what it's like to work and raise a family today. Since then, dozens of local, state, and federal candidates have participated. The program has helped to ensure that workers' voices are heard in the debate about the future of our country.

Already, Luis Marquez, the Democratic Candidate for the California State Assembly in District 50, visited SEIU childcare provider Tonia McMillian, and spent a day "walking in her shoes" by helping her at the childcare center.

Check out The State Worker for more coverage.