Candidate for
Member, Democratic Party County Central Committee; County of San Francisco; State Assembly District 19

AD-19 Deserves a Strong Progressive Voice, a Community Leader, and a Bridge Builder

I believe that true leadership should be rooted in our communities, not in placating downtown interests. I'm committed serving to our communities because I want better for them.

That's why I am running for one of the 10 seats on the San Francisco County Democratic Central Committee allocated to Assembly District 19.

When we strengthen our communities, we strengthen our Party.

Politically, I identify as a Progressive; but to me, serving on the DCCC is not about Moderates or Progressives. It's about serving AD-19 by bringing balanced representation to meet the needs of the cultural, economic, and political diversity of the West Side and not being afraid to push an agenda that puts our AD-19 communities first.

We are facing too much opposition around the country for the different factions of our own party to be squabbling over our ideological differences. Conservatives in this country have declared an all out war on working people, the middle class, the impoverished, women, people of color, and our party leaders who defend the rights of these groups. Even worse, they are pushing agendas like corporate personhood, which is insulting to our political process. And they aren't stopping. There is an old saying: "Put ten Democrats in a room and they'll debate ten different ideas. Put ten Republicans in a room and one will take charge while the rest fall into line." I want to see more unity here in San Francisco so that we ensure that President Obama is re-elected and that we take back the House and a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate.

I grew up in a small walkable neighborhood in San Jose, CA where supporting the community members, facilities and small businesses was part of our everyday existence. As San Francisco opens it's doors to large tech companies, new development, and major events such as The America's Cup, I feel as if our outer-lying neighborhoods are seeing those same doors close when it comes to funding for neighborhood improvements and services. As a result, those residents begin to feel defeated and underserved. There is no reason that communities should falter as our City grows.

This City belongs to all of it's residents and therefore we should all benefit from what it has to offer.

My values won't change, but I do look forward to co-sponsoring resolutions across the board to show that we can work together. The role of the DCCC is to build our party up on a local level, but it's up to all of us to put aside our differences and start working together to make this happen. If we can show that leadership at the Party level, it has the potential to equally change the dialogue among San Francisco residents.