Candidate for
Member of the State Assembly; District 15

I am running for the Assembly because I care about everyday people. I have been fighting all of my life to make things better, to make things fair, and to find solutions for real people. I am a progressive woman who has spent her life standing in the gap for others who need a voice. I believe that you have to stand for what is right, even if you are standing alone.

I have a winning record of fighting for justice and defending everyday people, successfully arguing against racial harassment, fighting for ground-breaking changes within the California Department of Corrections to stop sexual harassment of female officers, and handling dozens of other important cases, big and small, to advance and protect civil rights.

I am inspired by the diversity of the 15th Assembly District and I firmly believe that my community deserves someone who will reflect and represent the interests of the entire District.

As a mother, grandmother, and survivor of the juvenile justice and foster care systems, education is my top priority. I know firsthand what it's like to struggle but I also worked hard to overcome adversity + my own life experience shows just how important a quality education is to helping our youth succeed. Emancipated from foster care at 16, I managed to graduate high school, win a full scholarship to Yale, earn a UC Berkeley law degree, then, while raising my daughter as a single mom, earn my graduate degree. I'll be a leader to improve education for all.

As a small business owner, running my Oakland-based law firm, I see how small changes in the law can have a huge impact on people's lives. I will work to change laws to work for everyone, not just the rich and powerful. I am ready to take my experience, skills and knowledge finding solutions to the California State Assembly to tackle the challenges we face in the district and the State.

I am ready to take my experience, skills and knowledge fighting for these ideals to the California State Assembly to tackle the challenges we face in our communities and the State.

Issues

California is a great state, and although the economy is improving, we still face many challenges. The issues related to economic justice, educational opportunity, public safety, health care and restoring our civil and criminal justice systems remain essential to California's continued realization of its potential and promise.

Education Education is a top priority, I know first-hand that it is the path to a better life + I am living proof of the game-changing effect education can have on one individual, and the entire community. Criminal justice professionals use the reading literacy rates of elementary school children as a tool to determine how many prison beds they will need in the future. It makes budget sense to increase funding for schools and education programs that work, while reducing money for prisons.

Economic Development Small businesses and economic opportunity are the key to our local economic growth and improving the outlook for the state. I know how hard it has become to pay people and make a profit. Unfortunately, local governments' economic development programs have been dealt a double blow with the elimination of Redevelopment and Enterprise Zone programs. We must find new ways to support local businesses so that they can continue to employ local workers, provide health care benefits, pay a living wage, and make a difference in our neighborhoods. I will work in the legislature to find solutions to support and help small businesses thrive in California.

Civil Rights My lifelong passion for civil rights is never far from my mind. I will continue this fight in the Assembly with legislation to address sexual trafficking and all forms of violence against women and children. We need to increase funding for programs for homeless women and children, including youth aging out of foster care and other vulnerable populations. We need to continue California's leadership role in providing access to health care and acknowledge the need to improve patient safety.

I strongly support the Blueprint for Reinvesting in our Justice System. We must restore funding to the courts to ensure justice and civil rights for everyone. Our state and residents suffer without a fully functional justice system, I want to work in the legislature to make sure we improve and increase access to justice.