Containing the damage to our public education and public health systems done by recent state budget cuts is at the top of my priorities. To move our state forward, we need leaders who will hold the line on basic progressive values of fairness and opportunity, and who will fight to ensure that our people have access to the best education and health care, a strong environment, and an intact public safety system.

Recognizing that our children are our future, I’ll make sure our children have all the resources and skills they need to compete for and win jobs in the global economy, and I will support efforts to reform our state’s longtime broken health care system.

I’ll also seek to rebuild our middle class by creating new jobs and pushing our state to invest in new technologies and industries. I’ll expand alternative energy and sustainable, clean ways of living and doing business, and will unite our state’s environmental and labor constituencies behind a pro-jobs agenda to ensure that California is not left behind.

As your representative in the Assembly, I’ll work for lasting change and success by looking beyond the short-term gimmicks and political expedience of cuts-only state budgets, and will push the state to find new revenue streams, such as increased tobacco taxes, oil severance, and single-use bags, as ways through our current fiscal crisis.

Labels: 35th-Assembly-District, california-assembly, california-education, environmental-protection, public-education, public-health, public-safety

Das Williams Leads All Democratic State Assembly Candidates in Fundraising

Williams out-raises his opponent by more than $100,000 in race for the 35th Assembly District


SANTA BARBARA, CA – Highlighting the immense outpouring of local support united behind his candidacy, Santa Barbara City Councilmember Das Williams today announced that his campaign for State Assembly officially raised over $330,000 as of the December 31st reporting deadline, and has $288,000 of cash-on-hand four months out from the June Primary. Williams’ official campaign report showed that 75 percent of his contributors came from within Assembly District 35 and that close to half of his contributors were grassroots donors who gave $100 or less.

According to recent campaign reports filed with the state, Das Williams raised more than any other Democratic assembly candidate in California.

“My campaign is all about building a grassroots movement united in the goal of changing the direction California is headed,” said Das Williams. “I’ve got a proven track record as a community organizer and as a City Councilmember, and have delivered on many, many issues up and down the district helping to create good, family supporting jobs, new environmental protections, and more educational opportunities for kids.”

“It’s truly unfortunate that as California’s budget deficit has continued to mount, Sacramento politicians have remained focused on bickering and finger-pointing, and have time and again failed to come together to solve our state’s problems,” added Williams. “People are struggling and frustrated right now, and they want results — not rhetoric.”

Since announcing his intention to run, Das Williams has been endorsed by hundreds of individuals and organizations in labor, public safety, women's movements, health care, the environment, local small businesses, and other key constituencies that make up our diverse state.

Labels: 35th-Assembly-District, california-assembly, campaign-fundraising, fundraising

Labor Leader Dolores Huerta Endorses Das Williams For Assembly


( Dolores Huerta image courtesy of Rich Pedroncelli )


SANTA BARBARA, CA – Local Santa Barbara City Councilmember Das Williams is pleased to announce today that Dolores Huerta has endorsed his campaign for the 35th Assembly District.

Dolores Huerta is co-founder and First Vice President Emeritus of the United Farm Workers of America, AFL-CIO, and one our state and nation’s leading advocates for working families.

In citing the reasons for her endorsement of Das Williams’ candidacy, Huerta pointed to Das’s impressive record as a Santa Barbara City Council member and school board member at Peabody Charter, as well as his background with labor as a local community organizer. Huerta applauded Williams’ experience fighting for living wage laws and health care benefits for employees, helping workers to organize and collectively bargain, protecting vital programs and services during city budget shortfalls, and creating good paying, family-supporting jobs through his local energy efficiency projects.

"Das Williams has been a longtime champion for labor, Latino families, and women," said Huerta. “His ability to get things done is exactly what we need in Sacramento.”

Dolores Huerta’s endorsement comes soon after Das Williams’ first debate with Susan Jordan and on the heels of his recent announcement of having raised over $300,000 as of the December 31, 2009 campaign reporting deadline.

“It is a great honor to have earned the support of Dolores Huerta,” said Williams. “Her life’s work and leadership have influenced my path and priorities in so many ways, and I look forward to standing side-by-side with Dolores as this district’s next Assemblymember.”

Labels: 35th-Assembly-District, california-assembly, Dolores-Huerta, endorsements

Please Join Our Hosts...

• Supervisor Doreen Farr
• Former Supervisor Gail Marshall
• Joyce Howerton
• Alice Gillaroo and Susan Jorgensen

At an evening reception in support of Das Williams for Assembly 2010

At the beautiful home of Alice Gillaroo and Susan Jorgensen



(Santa Ynez image courtesy of About Geology)


Join us at a wonderful sunset reception overlooking the beautiful Santa Ynez Valley. Enjoy local wine and hors' doevours with friends and supporters of Das Williams for Assembly 2010

Friday, January 29th, 2010 - 5:00PM to 8:00PM
(VIP Reception at 4:00PM)

Suggested Contribution Levels:

• Chair - $2,500
• Co-Chair - $1,000
• Sponsor - $500
• Co-Sponsor - $250
• Guest - $50

Please RSVP to Pat Dennis at 805-708-5499 or das.williams2010@gmail.com

Address will be provided upon RSVP

Labels: 35th-Assembly-District, california-assembly, fundraising

Das Williams’ Assembly Campaign Sprints into the New Year with Momentum, Strong Grassroots Support, and Over $300,000 in Campaign Contributions


SANTA BARBARA, CA – Local Santa Barbara City Councilmember Das Williams continues to build momentum in his bid for State Assembly announcing today that his campaign has raised over $300,000 as of the reporting period that ended December 31, 2009.

The vast majority of Das Williams’ contributors came from within the district.

"I'm humbled by the outpouring of local support," said Das Williams. "Residents and activists are investing in this campaign not only with their checkbooks, but also with their time, their energy, and their hearts. I'm incredibly honored to have earned the support of so many grassroots activists, community leaders, and Democratic constituency groups, all of which are united in their desire to bring change and new ideas to the State Capitol."

Since announcing his intention to run for the Assembly in April 2009, Das Williams has been endorsed by hundreds of individuals and organizations representing labor, public safety, women's issues, seniors, health care, the environment and local businesses. In Santa Barbara, Das Williams has won two city-wide elections and currently serves on the City Council representing about a quarter of AD 35. In addition, he has won dozens of local races as a community organizer in both Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties.

Das Williams added, "During this campaign I've seen the frustration and disillusionment on the faces of so many voters in all corners of the district. They're clearly sick and tired of the political bickering, grandstanding, and bad decisions that have paralyzed our state. Voters want results -- not rhetoric."

“Das Williams is one of the hardest working and most committed public servants I've ever seen,” said campaign consultant Josh Pulliam. “Running on a solid record from his tenure on the Santa Barbara City Council and as a community organizer before that, Das is assembling the resources and the local grassroots support to win in June, and, more importantly, to effect positive change in the Legislature."

Das Williams is campaigning to succeed fellow Democrat and termed-out Assemblymember Pedro Nava.

Labels: 35th-Assembly-District, california-assembly, campaign-fundraising

Following His Debate with Susan Jordan, Das Williams Announces New Support From Oxnard Leaders


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SANTA BARBARA, CA – On the heels of his first debate with Susan Jordan, Santa Barbara City Councilmember Das Williams announced today that a number of Oxnard leaders have endorsed his campaign for the 35th Assembly District:

• Dr. Manny Lopez, Former Oxnard Mayor
• Henry L. “Hank” Lacayo, California Congress of Seniors*
• Andres Herrera, Oxnard Mayor Pro Tem
• Ana Del Rio-Barba, Oxnard School District Board Member
• Jess Herrera, Oxnard Labor Commissioner
• Jess Ramirez, Oxnard Harbor District Board President
• Saul Medina, Oxnard Planning Commission

*Title for identification purposes only

In announcing their support of his campaign, Oxnard leaders cited Das’ impeccable record on local issues and his invaluable experience in balancing budgets and fighting for education, health care, public safety and the environment. Leaders also lauded Das Williams’ background as a local community organizer for CAUSE and his efforts to enact living wage laws for workers in the region.

Oxnard leaders have now joined a growing contingent of local supporters who back Councilmember Das Williams' candidacy for the 35th State Assembly district. Their endorsements further highlight the strong grassroots network united behind Das Williams' campaign and underscore the significant advantage in human resourses Das will have in conveying his progressive message to district households in the primary and general elections.

“I am so honored to have earned the support of such outstanding local leaders," said Das Williams. “I’ve always believed in and fought hard to advance the social and political causes the people in this district care about, and I am humbled by the recognition I have received throughout this campaign.”

Labels: 35th-Assembly-District, california-assembly, endorsements, Oxnard

Ventura City Councilman Carl Morehouse Endorses Das Williams for Assembly


( Carl Morehouse image courtesy of vchome.org )


SANTA BARBARA, CA – Santa Barbara City Councilmember Das Williams reports today that Ventura City Councilmember Carl Morehouse has endorsed his campaign for 35th Assembly District in 2010.

"Ventura needs an Assemblymember who understands local government concerns and local issues,” said Ventura City Councilmember Carl Morehouse. “I have known Das for some time and know that he knows what it’s like to be a local elected official from serving on the Santa Barbara City Council.”

Morehouse added that “Das is energetic and passionate about the issues he pursues. As a result of my endorsement I will be holding him accountable to maintain strong working relationships with all of the cities in this district and being responsive to our concerns. With that commitment, I am proud to support Das Williams for the State Assembly and am confident he will be an outstanding champion for Ventura in Sacramento."

Other Ventura leaders endorsing Das Williams’ candidacy include: Ventura County Supervisor Steve Bennett, former Ventura County Supervisor Susan Lacey, Ventura City Councilmember Brian Brennan, Ventura County School Board Member M.L. Peterson, Ventura Community College District Trustee Arturo Hernandez, Ventura Community College District Trustee Stephen Blum, Vice President of the Ventura Unified School District Debbie Golden, Ventura Unified School District Trustee Barbara J. Fitzgerald, Ventura Planning Commissioner Dan Long, and Richard Francis of Save Open-Space and Agricultural Resources (SOAR).

“Councilmember Morehouse has been a community leader in Ventura for years and I am honored by his support of my campaign,” said Das Williams. “Carl shares my principles and passion for promoting sustainable development, smart growth and land use policies, affordable housing, transparency in government, and fair and balanced budgets.”

“Californians are continuing to suffer from Sacramento’s bad decisions and I look forward to joining the State Assembly and continuing my work with Carl and other Ventura County leaders to advocate for what’s right for this district and state,” added Williams.

Labels: 35th-Assembly-District, california-assembly, endorsements, Ventura

(Image courtesy of Reuters)

Assembly Candidate Das Williams Comments on Governor’s Budget Proposal


SANTA BARBARA, CA – Assembly District 35 Candidate Das Williams today released the following statement regarding Governor Schwarzenegger’s proposal to balance the state’s budget:

“Californians have been suffering from two years of nonstop budget cuts and one-sided sacrifices. And what does Governor Schwarzenegger propose today as a solution? More pain for children, seniors, the disabled, and our low-income citizens. Today’s proposal does nothing but devastate an already crumbling state safety net, and pose further harm to the critical public programs and services that our vulnerable populations rely upon. The Governor’s budget fails yet again to produce the real and sustained revenue generation our state so desperately needs, and instead focuses on even deeper cuts to Medi-Cal and In-Home Supportive Services, and on so-called cost containment strategies that jeopardize programs like Healthy Families. The Governor said this year was all about priorities and it’s painfully clear once again that our state’s needy are not among his. I urge the Governor to consider the notion that a higher tobacco tax or a dime-a-drink increase will hurt our collective humanity far less than his proposed budget cuts.”

Das Williams is running to succeed fellow Democrat and termed-out Assemblymember Pedro Nava in 2010.



Das Williams grew up on the Central Coast and is a product of local public schools. In 2003, Das Williams became the youngest person ever to be elected to the Santa Barbara City Council, and was re-elected in 2007. Das has worked as a teacher, a policy aide for former Assemblywoman Hannah-Beth Jackson, and a community organizer working to stop the development of a Wal-Mart in Ventura and enact local living wage laws in Santa Barbara and Ventura. Das serves on the Peabody Charter School Board and is a national board member of the National Organization for Women (NOW). Das received his undergraduate degree from the University of California, Berkeley and holds a graduate degree in Environmental Science & Management from the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Labels: 35th-Assembly-District, california-assembly, california-budget, Schwarzenegger