Candidate for
Member of the State Assembly; District 72

I am a third-generation Democrat, making my second run for public office. We ran for this same seat in 2006 and received nearly 40% of the General Election vote.

I was born and raised in Southern California. I graduated from Earl Warren High School in Downey, then from Fullerton Community College in Fullerton, and from California State University Fullerton. I received my Master's Degree in Education from the University of Missouri, Columbia.

My wife Ida and I have lived in La Habra since we were married in 1976. We have three sons, Ian, Sean, and Ryan; and three grandkids, Emily, Scott, and Damien. We have been active for many years in youth sports, Scouts, and church activities. I am a member of Cornerstone Masonic Lodge in La Habra, Santa Ana Valley Scottish Rite, and El Bekal Shrine Temple in Anaheim. We are long-time members of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Fullerton.

I made a career change in 1990, leaving the high tech world to teach public school. I have been with the Fullerton School District since 1993. After a year of teaching Kindergarten, I moved to junior high, where I teach 7th grade Language Arts and Social Studies.

When I was growing up, my father was a teamster truck driver; later he bought his own truck.

My mother had two careers: raising a family and teaching in public elementary schools.

Both of my brothers were born with cerebral palsy and needed special care for most of their lives.

From my parents I learned the dignity and rewards that come with honest work, and how necessary a high quality education is.

From my brothers I learned about personal dignity in difficult circumstances and how important a helping hand can be.

As your representative in Sacramento I will do everything I can to make sure that all our families have the opportunity to support themselves, to get ahead in the world with a high quality education, and make sure that the helping hand is there if it's needed.

Thank you for your support.