Chuck began his political career in East Texas at United Rubber Workers Local 746. By 22, he had become the youngest officer of the 1,200 person local. At 29, he was hired to be the youngest and first person of color political director of the United Steelworkers. He is credited for building out one of the top national labor political departments in the country.[3][4]
In 2010, Rocha left the USW to create Solidarity Strategies, a full-service nonprofit and political consulting firm. Solidarity was built on the idea of diversity, inclusion and mentorship opportunities for the next generation of minority professionals. In 10 years, Solidarity has employed over 60 young people of color and has become one of the most successful minority-owned political consulting firms in the nation.[5][6]
On July 30, 2013, Rocha pleaded guilty to the embezzlement of union funds. He was sentenced to two years of probation and was ordered to pay a fine of $2,000.[7]
Chuck has worked on several presidential, congressional and gubernatorial races, including both of Bernie Sanders' presidential campaigns.[8][9][10][11]
Personal life
Rocha grew up in East Texas.[12] Rocha is Mexican American.[7] He was a single father at twenty and is proud grandparent.[1] In August 2024 he married Ebony Payne.[2]
Further reading
Rocha, Chuck (August 19, 2020). Tío Bernie: The Inside Story of How Bernie Sanders Brought Latinos Into the Political Revolution. Strong Arm Press. ISBN9781947492523.
^"Chuck Rocha reveals secrets to winning Latino voters in 'Tío Bernie' Sanders book". NBC News. August 20, 2020. Retrieved December 11, 2020. The book, too, is Rocha's personal story of how a "red neck farm boy from East Texas" who largely grew up without his father went from a goal in his 20s of landing a job that would provide health care for his son to becoming a union activist to having a felony in his record over what he describes as a $485 expense account mistake.
