Candidate for
Member of the State Assembly; District 78

Biography

I have been given some unique perspectives through my experiences...

Like most Californians, although my parents were lifelong Democrats, they found themselves supporting Republican principles of personal responsibility and limited government. Sharing those beliefs, it only made sense to me in college to register as a Republican, as I have remained to this day.

Being a single father of two children, not only do I understand the challenges facing single parents, but with both of my children being mentally challenged I understand and have experienced the challenges this alone can pose to a loving parent. This - and my concerns for my four grandchildren - has helped to strengthen my passion for education, along with a deep desire to truly protect and encourage the education of our children. I have experienced first hand through my son and daughter the terrible effects of well meaning but too often ineffective or actually destructive regulations and bureaucracy which ultimately only serve to hamper our teachers and schools, instead of providing them with the tools they desperately need to prepare the next generation of leaders for our future.

My education and abilities were shaped by the California Public School System, when our schools were once nationally respected, shaping some of the brightest minds of our country, and was the envy of the nation. And I know, with your help, we can have that public school system again.

Other than a few years when I was assigned to East Texas, I have lived in Southern California my entire life. I was born in Los Angeles, the product of my working class parents. My father was a union truck driver. My mother was a waitress who became an assistant cafeteria manager for the college I attended. My father was forced to drop out of school after the 8th grade, yet he raised his family to a comfortable upper middle class living standard by hard work and determination. He instilled those values in me. From my mother I learned the importance of love, family, compassion, and education. From both I learned loyalty and pride of country and community.

I have a business degree and have a professional certificate as an Enrolled Agent (tax accountant). I worked my way through college as a commercial tire man in Brawley, changing tractor and combine tires in the middle of summer in the Imperial Valley. I maintain a professional tax practice from my home in North Park/Hillcrest, as well as being the CFO/Business Manager for a moderately sized company in Encinitas. In my spare time, I'm a community volunteer.

While some have tried to make an issue of my sexuality, and others have even criticized me for not declaring it as a badge of honor, the simple truth is I want people to vote for me because I am the best candidate. I stand as proof that a gay man can hold faith to Christian values, morals, and beliefs, to be true to oneself, and be a true Republican and fiscal conservative. The issues I stand for, and my moral integrity, are the prime measures by which I am to be judged, as your candidate and, God willing, your assembly member.

We as a state and nation can only accomplish great things through education. We can solve society's problems by first addressing the educational needs of our children, to challenge them with ideas, and inspire their patriotism. We can solve our budget crisis by spending wisely and conservatively, by bringing back businesses that employ our people, and to inspire the entrepreneur spirit that creates new businesses, jobs, and opportunities. We can solve the problems that now face us by reducing the bureaucracy and freeing ourselves of the convoluted regulations that strangle our economy.

The bottom line is, we must bring back common sense to Sacramento and to government.

And with your help and support, together we can do exactly that...