Candidate for
Member; California State Assembly; District 12; Democratic Party

I am generally considered a Progressive Democrat and I accept that assessment with humility, for I don't consider myself to be a 'political' person at all. I am a Pediatrician first and foremost and approach public service from a humanitarian perspective. As I have done on the Board of Education, I will work hard to shape legislation and programs that make this state a healthy and stable place for our children and grandchildren. In my professional life, I put a higher premium on promoting healthy development and growth than on simply treating disease. As a Legislator I'll take a similar approach, and work for policies that build a solid foundation for our state's future growth and health.

I work closely with families every day and also work one-on one as a sports instructor for disabled atheletes; I have served on numerous local Boards to provide sevices like day care and Arts programs. These experiences will keep me focused on the lives of real people and real communities and guide me when hard policy decisions need to be made.

Leadership is not just taking a poll and then claiming the mid-position, it is staking out a goal and then working to reach it by bringing others to it. It is the willingness to take the long range view, rather than the quick fix.

I am usually considered independant, fair and issues oriented, I have tried to be a unifier and healer when tensions ran high. I have set difficult goals and achieved them for our children. I have made my contributions while espousing high ethical standards of personal and professional conduct for myself and my colleagues.

California should lead in forging the model America of equal opportunity, good government and of innovation. If you want a Test-the-Winds, No-position Legislator, I'm not your guy. If you want a Legislator who will set high goals and standards and then work hard to achieve them, I would greatly value your support.