Candidate for
Member of the State Assembly; District 78; Democratic Party

George Gastil serves on the Lemon Grove School Board. Elected in 1998 and re-elected in 2002, George is a tireless advocate for children. He is also active in the California School Boards Association and the Leadership Council of San Diego County Preschool for All.

George recently worked for two years as a district representative for State Senator Denise Moreno Ducheny. He served as the Senator's local contact on a variety of issues, including education, health and human services, labor, and the arts.

George comes to politics from a background as a historian and an educator. An adjunct professor at Grossmont College and Palomar College, George teaches courses in the history of the United States, California, and Modern Europe. Earlier in his career, he taught social studies at the high school and middle school levels.

George also worked for a few years in the field of residential care for children with emotional and behavioral difficulties. As an outgrowth of that experience, George currently serves on the Board of Directors for Associated Residential Services, a group home for adolescent boys in the foster care system.

George participates in several civic organizations, most notably San Diego Civic Solutions, a group focused on regional quality of life issues such as housing, infrastructure and biodiversity. George is active in the Civic Solutions task force for urban canyons.

George has been active in local politics for many years. In 2004 he earned a "Chair's Award" for outstanding service to the San Diego County Democratic Party.