Mariko Yamada, Democrat for State Assembly

Dear Friends:

Public safety and education have always been among my top priorities. As a county supervisor, I’ve served as regional chair for our five-county emergency medical services agency, and know first-hand the work our fire, law enforcement, ambulance, and hospital services do 24 hours each day. As a parent, I was an active volunteer in the classroom as well as on district-level committees in support of public schools.

That’s why I am particularly proud of three new endorsements we’ve earned this week…from local law enforcement, we’ve been given the nod by the Yolo County Deputy Sheriff’s Association, and at the state level, we have been joined by California Professional Firefighters, along with the California School Employees Association who represent classified employees in our public schools, including school safety officers.

But while we celebrate these endorsements, I want to also let you know about one that got away—one that caught us by surprise. I was recently informed by the California National Organization for Women – PAC that they would be making no endorsement in my race.

As the parent of two grown daughters, a spokesperson against Propositions 73 and 85 (and will speak out again if parental notification returns to the ballot) and as an active member of our local women’s history month project for several years, I was disappointed to learn that one of the premier state women’s organizations had chosen to sit my campaign out.

We’ve been endorsed by the California List, whose mission is to elect pro-choice Democratic women to the State Legislature, and have a 100% rating from Planned Parenthood. In May, I will be recognized with the 2008 Woman of Distinction Award from Soroptimist International of Davis. To qualify for this award, one must have at least ten years of service to her local community.

We did find this excerpt from NOW’s Spring 2008 newsletter interesting:

“The California NOW PAC, in partnership with EdVoice, has created a special Women’s Vote 2008 project, because we know When Women Vote We Change the World…While the country is focused on November, we must remember to vote in the June elections in California, to vote on many important California Senate and Assembly races where good feminist representation is critical.”

EdVoice, formerly led by my opponent, contributed $120,000 in October 2007 to establish this joint project with the CA NOW PAC. I wish them well in electing feminists to the State Legislature.

Upcoming Events

• April 29th - Fundraiser hosted by Phil Angelides and Dave Jones at Thomas Enterprises in Sacramento
• May 4th - Hot Dog and Tofu Dog Cook out with Davis Professional Firefighters Local 3494, Central Park, Davis.

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