I want to fix my constituents’ problems. I’ve made this a hallmark of my work over the years. San Mateo is a great county, known for innovation, collegiality, and a great quality of life. I want to see that continue, but I believe it is in jeopardy.

I want the Board of Supervisors to be an incubator of change that our residents want. The board can achieve great success if it works in a collegial manner, and when differences arise it works through them in a manner that distinguishes the board for its problem-solving.  I want us to be laser focused on the future …for the county I was raised in and have spent my life representing.

My legislative career on the local, state, and federal levels has taught me much. But the most important thing it has taught me is that all politics is local.

We live in the richest county in California, the 4th richest in the country and yet 27,000 children live in poverty. Ending homelessness and reducing poverty must remain priorities.

The middle class is being hollowed out. Our children cannot say that they are better off than their parents and they can’t afford to live in this county in which they were raised. Creating more housing for moderate and lower income households is essential.  The county can play a major role in turning this objective into reality.  Our goal should be:  LIVE HERE, WORK HERE.

Public safety and personal safety must be a priority. Hate crimes must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.  I want to hold public forums to hear from residents and our merchants about what makes them anxious and what can be done to make them feel more secure in their homes, businesses and neighborhood streets.

A childcare crisis is choking young families. Monthly childcare costs can equal mortgages and rents.  We have an obligation to solve this problem by incentivizing people to become childcare teachers and creating more childcare sites and slots.

We have allowed others to define us. Our county is not a pass-through county from San Francisco to Santa Clara counties. We are not limited to the name “Silicon Valley.”  I would argue we are much more. We boast hundreds of biotech companies and at the same time we treasure our agriculture on the coast.  We are home to social media giants and at the same time we treasure our main street merchants.  Drugs to prevent people from dying of AIDS or cancer have been discovered here, and we put them to use through amazing medical providers serving all income levels. I want to create opportunities and incentives for young people to live and to work here – to create a local economy where there are jobs for talented individuals from all backgrounds.  We are more than Silicon Valley.  We are a special place called San Mateo County.

With your support, we can make our community an even better place for us all – for love of county.