For the past three years I have intently followed the ups and downs of the political landscape, searching out every scrap of news I can find, analyzing all points of views, and formulating my own views as a free and critical thinker. In the midst of all this, I have discovered my strong passion for politics. I have always had an inclination towards politics, and our currently fiasco some call an administration has only strengthened my convictions. Deeply disappointed but further resolved by the outcome of the November elections, I am considering following the mantra of Howard Dean to run progressive candidates by throwing my hat into the ring for the 2006 election of the California State Senate. I want to be an open, progressive leader who actively searches out ideas, thoughts, and opinions of everyone, so I pose the following question to you:
Am I running for State Senate?
The life story:
First off, a word about the district. The district of the State Senate is question is District 8, encompassing half of San Francisco and the northern part of San Mateo County. The district is currently represented by Senator Jackie Speier, who will be termed out in 2006 (meaning, of course, that it will be an open seat race). The district was redrawn in 2000, and includes the western half of San Francisco, with Castro Street being the dividing line.
Why this district and what makes me worthy of this seat? This question is easily answered by looking at my life history.
I was born, raised, and currently live in this district. I am a 26 year old gay man (I will be 28 at the time of the 2006 election). I was born at UCSF and lived in Daly City from the day I was born until I left for college 18 years later. My mom was also born and raised in the district. My grandparents settled on Daly City in the 1930's. My mom has lived on the same street for 59 of her 60 years alive.
I attended St. Cecila's school in San Francisco's Sunset district for five years, elementary and middle schools in San Mateo, and high school in Burlingame. I volunteered for six years with the American Red Cross in San Mateo County, being the first youth representative on the Board of Directors of the local chapter. I also volunteered with the local ambulance company at the time, Baystar, and started an Explorer chapter at Mills-Peninsula hospitals.
My parents were small business owners in San Mateo. In addition, I worked at a small jewelry store in San Mateo. Being in the "trenches" of two small businesses helped me to understand the obstacles these owners face, and the daily personal and professional struggles they all face.
I went to college at Creighton University, in Omaha, Nebraska. This is a Jesuit college in the middle of a red state. Going to school here helped shape my progressive values of taking care of everyone in need. I spent one memorable spring break volunteering at a homeless shelter in Kansas City. I helped out wherever possible around the community on countless occasions. And being in Nebraska helped me to understand all those wingnuts we talk about daily.
After graduating in 2000, with a major in Finance, I moved to London for the summer where I interned with the Department of Commerce at the US Embassy. This opportunity helped me to refine my world view, and opened my eyes to the massive bureaucracy of the US government.
After completing my internship at the Embassy, I moved back to Daly City, where I lived for with my parents for one year before moving in with my boyfriend, and now husband, on 18th Street in SF (still a part of district 8). Yes, we were married Valentine's Day at City Hall, and regardless of what the courts decided, I consider us still married!
The events of the past year or so, starting with the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruling in favor of gay marriage, to our marriage and subsequent battle for equal rights, to the heartbreak of Election Day, and the current battle for the chairmanship of the DNC, have all shaped my thinking and understanding of the world, politics, and America's future. While I often lament over the events of the past year, and fear for the future of our country, I am determined to take back our country from the right wing ideologues who only have their narrow minority interests at heart.
There is already one strong candidate who will be running for this seat. He is Leland Yee, the current State Assemblyman for San Francisco. His previous experience in office includes sitting on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. However, I still consider myself to be a very strong candidate based on the geography of the district. This district was practically redrawn for me. Most candidates are either going to be from the city, like Leland Yee, or from the suburbs. I have the ability to represent everyone in the district, all the way from the Presidio in the city to Woodside in the south because this is were I have spent almost my entire life. I know the entire district, up and down, like the back of my hand. And while I may not have the same government experience as other candidates, grassroots and candidates with experience on the ground are going to be strong wherever they are, and regardless of experience. That is the core philosophy of Dean's Democracy for America and his push for the chairmanship of the DNC.
I want to represent all the constituents of District 8, and beyond, by actively seeking out other opinions while standing by my core convictions. I want to help change government to run with the progressive voice and reasoning I learned at Jesuit university and honed over the past year with the help of the online community, while at the same time using the skills I learned during my college education in finance and business to make sure it all runs responsible fiscally and managerially. I want to set up a webpage, which all constituents can access with a special code, where they can voice their concerns, and blog directly with their representative. I want to push for equal rights FOR ALL AMERICANS. I want to run for State Senate. I pose the question now to you . . . Am I running for State Senate?