To celebrate the closing of her 34 years in Congress, Senator Barbara Boxer spent Monday afternoon speaking at the Maidu Community Center in Roseville.

The Placer County Democratic Party organized Fond Farewell to give local party members a chance to meet Boxer and hear her thoughts on the condition of the country today and the upcoming election.

Throughout her speech, Boxer stressed the importance of the American people’s responsibility to vote.

“People say, ‘what’s at stake in this election?’ And I say ‘everything.’ I’ve served under five presidents of both parties, and while every presidential race was crucial, I can honestly say that never in my lifetime have I seen a race like this before,” Boxer said.

After introducing this topic with neutrality, she quickly made it known who she was supporting.

“I know Hillary personally, as a loving aunt to my grandson, but also as First Lady, as a colleague of the U.S. Senate, as Secretary of State. She fought for our friends, our seniors, our children, our workers, the LGBT community and the environment. She will be an exceptional leader,” Boxer said.

As she admires Clinton for the work she’s done to improve the environment, Boxer believes that area is where she, too, has made the biggest strides during her years in office.

“We put a million acres of wilderness together, protected the coast from offshore drilling and saved the dolphins. I am a firm believer in environmental justice with keeping the air clean in low-income communities and making sure we take a stand against drilling for oil,” Boxer said.

Sharing her concerns on these issues, Robert Derlet plans to further the work Boxer has done if he is elected as the representative for California’s 4th congressional district this fall.

“I like the issues that she stands for and I like what she’s done in Congress. She stands for clean air and clean water, she stands for helping women in America and she stands for helping families. She’s taught me that if you stick with your passions and fight for them, you will win,” Derlet said.

Erin Minett, a staff member of Boxer’s first campaign, is looking for the next California senator to share the same qualities she admired in Boxer.

“I want someone who is strong and clear in their objectives and I believe Kamala Harris is the best person for the job. I think she’ll be a perfect replacement to continue what Barbara’s done these past three decades,” Minett said.

After serving 10 years in the House of Representatives and 24 in the Senate, Boxer will not run again for public office. However, she plans to stay involved in the political world.

Boxer said, “In my life I’ve been blessed to know when to hold and when to fold. I’m not retiring, I just won’t be in the Senate anymore. I want to go toe to toe with Karl Rove, and then after that the Koch brothers. You’ll see me, I’ll be running a great big political action committee.”

by RYLEA GILLIS