My friends, this has been a long time coming, but I am excited to join the conversation and get to know this community.
You may or may not have heard of me, but I have heard of you. When I started reading more and more about the online progressive movement -- the people who mobilize ideas and turn them into an amplifier for change -- I knew I had to be a part of this community.
Over the years, people have called me everything from “far left” to “far right” and all points in between. The truth of the matter is that I am a progressive; I always have been, and I always will be. My actions in the California Legislature and my 20-year record of protecting the environment, fighting for our students, developing domestic infrastructure, and doing my utmost to move this country forward speak for themselves.
When I first ran for City Council, I did so as the President of the community action group, Long Beach Area Citizens Involved (LBACI), and as a member of the city’s LGBT Lambda Democratic Club. At the time, I had been a Community Psychology professor at California State University, Long Beach for more than 20 years.
I defied conventional wisdom and won that City Council seat; and while I was there I passed some of the most comprehensive campaign finance reform in the country, restricting special interest money from the local election process.
Years later, when I decided to run for the State Assembly, I was the underdog. Once again, with grassroots support and lot of heart, I came out on top. In 2004, I ran for the State Senate and won with solid support from both Democrats and Republicans in my district. As I come to the end of my second term in the Senate, I am proud to be considered, by my constituents and my colleagues, as one of the most progressive leaders in the Capitol.
Now that I am running for Congress, I am getting to know the larger progressive community, which I have come to realize means getting more and more engaged online. It is remarkable to me how the internet has connected people in places large and small to other like-minded progressives, and helped us to focus our belief in creating a better world.
With the internet and social media, progressives can now join in larger numbers and have a profound effect on policy and the direction of the Democratic Party.
The first thing you should know about me is ‘what you see is what you get’, and here it is:
Since joining the California legislature in 1998, I have authored more than 120 bills. For the sake of brevity, I want to outline what I consider just a few of my accomplishments. More or less, I feel these are a part of my progressive resume:
1. I led a nearly ten-year fight in the Capitol for reform of the redistricting process in the state. After not being able to get a second from either party, my persistence and determination led to a ballot measure approved by voters in 2008 that instituted citizen-run independent redistricting in the state, also known as the California Citizens Redistricting Commission.
2. I have fought for more than 20 years to clean up the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles. My efforts led to a complete revamp of their business model at these two ports (#1 and #2 respectively in Western Hemisphere) that places environmental stewardship at the forefront. Bills authored by me has led the ports to take action which has reduced the air pollution by over 75%. The two ports are now the greenest in the world and role models for the entire port industry.
3. I authored and signed into law the Student Success Act of 2012--the first major student-focused reform of the community college system in more than two decades (SB 1456).
4. I provided the first allocations for the purchase of commercially-made electric cars in the state and created the benchmark environmental standards for the production and use of hydrogen fuel in vehicles (AB 2061 and SB 1505).
5. I authored landmark consumer protection legislation, AB 1778, requiring auto insurers and repair shops to fully disclose the type of parts used in a repair
These accomplishments are the embodiment of not only my Democratic, but my progressive principles; my principles will not change. I might not always vote along party lines, but being progressive means more than party labels. All of my votes have been and will be based on my progressive beliefs and the best interests of my constituents.
My first goal when I get to Congress will be to work to pass the President’s American Jobs Act, a piece of legislation that will create millions of good-paying jobs and create tax breaks for the middle class and small businesses that hire unemployed workers and veterans.
As another voice in the Progressive Caucus, I will also fight any threats to the social safety net; to quality, affordable education; to the environment; to protections guaranteeing equality for all; a woman’s right to choose; and, to a fair and equitable tax system.
I look forward to working with the online community; we’re going to need each other. I don’t need any convincing about our principles or ideals, so I want to be one more shoulder to the wheel for progressives in Congress. I am going to need your help to combat the rhetoric of fear and privilege that emanates from the Tea Party Republicans.
Together we have to help educate and embolden Democrats who come from either marginal districts, or genuinely moderate backgrounds, to vote with the courage of their convictions.
The internet has shown us that progressives have power in numbers. Now, it is time to show the Democratic Party there is power in majorities.
But first, I have to get to Congress. This is where you can help me. I am one of the last candidates to be added to the Blue America PAC. I have spent the past 20 years authoring progressive legislation, but not necessarily promoting myself. I need you to help change that. I need you to tell other progressives who I am and what I am about. Just as you have built this community, we can all build a strong political coalition to make sure that our progressive beliefs are represented and championed in our local communities and in Washington.
Please help my campaign by “liking” me on Facebook, “following” me on Twitter, and visiting my campaign website.
Keep up the good fight. Thank you for your activism in helping shape a greater nation and a better world.
Alan
