Why do I want to run?

By Albert Chang

Many people have asked me "Albert, why do you want to run for school board?" and then also say, "you're still young" or "politics is a dirty business" or "politicians are always looking out for themselves."

2. I am the only independent candidate in this race. - I understand that politics is a dirty business, and I completely agree as I have seen this first-hand. Fortunately, I am the only independent candidate in this race and I will not be owned or beholden to any special interest groups that seek favors from the Board or from the district. If I am elected to office, my actions will only be accountable to you, the voter. Don't let your vote be bought!

3. If I am elected to the Board, this position is not a "stepping-stone" to another position. - These days with the volatile political climate in California, it seems as if the turnover rate for elected positions are very high. But if you look closely, the same names usually get recycled to another office. This creates many opportunistic politicians who often neglect the job that they are elected to do and leave before their term is complete or use their current position as a "stepping stone" to a higher office. This is definitely NOT what I am about. I am not running for the Board of Education to inflate my ego or to create my own personal fiefdom or just something that I thought would be fun. I am running because I think that I can make a difference by bringing a different perspective to the table and by contributing to innovative solutions that will work because they make sense.