Dear Friends,

As many of you know, over the course of the past few months I have been considering whether to become a candidate for the California State Assembly.

After talking with many of you, I experienced a great sense of urgency and responsibility. I know many of you feel it too. Now, more than ever, we need to take action, stand up for our beloved community and progressive principles and lead our state in a new direction.

I'm blessed to call the Central Coast home. I was raised here and attended our public schools. Growing up here, I developed a deep respect and passion for the environment. And it was my time working with folks here on dozens of efforts to protect the environment and better the lives of working families that has inspired me to run for the State Assembly in 2010.

Politicians in Sacramento have put our state in dire straits. For too long, problems have been brushed aside and quick fixes have been favored over long-term solutions. As a Santa Barbara City Councilmember, I have come to know the consequences of Sacramento's failures all too well. Never-ending budget deficits force cities to struggle to provide for even the most basic of needs. Teachers and local schools face the prospect of debilitating layoffs--year after year. Too many hard working families struggle to make ends meet -- juggling skyrocketing health care and college tuition costs, while trying to survive in a shrinking economy. Our environment is threatened and our state has yet to meet its renewable energy potential.

Yet, in the face of all these challenges, we have accomplished so much in our own community. We have managed to hire needed police officers and expand youth programs to meet the challenge of gang violence. We've fought hard to ensure our brave firefighters have the tools they need to keep our city safe. At the same time, we have done the hard work of balancing our budgets through shared sacrifice. We continue to do our utmost to minimize or avoid layoffs at local schools. I've worked with many community leaders up and down the Central Coast to protect local businesses, jobs and ensure working folks get fair and equal pay. Santa Barbara has become a model green city--we've taken bold steps that will ensure 30% of our energy is from renewable sources by 2011.

We've proven that we can overcome the challenges we face here at home. With the right energy, passion and hard work, we can overcome the challenges in Sacramento.

Real progress and change will not come easily and it will certainly not come from one person alone. That is why I need your support in this campaign. Over the course of the next year, I intend to speak personally with people all over the Central Coast, to listen and learn more about the challenges we face and what we can do to overcome them. In the coming months, I will discuss more of my plans and ideas to put our state on the right track.

We are currently in the beginning stages of the campaign and your support and input is critical. I am honored by the enormous outpouring of encouragement and support that I have received in our local community and it with this support that we can bring change to Sacramento.

This campaign can only succeed with your support and leadership.

Sincerely,

Das Williams



HOME FUNDRAISING EVENT - SATURDAY MAY 30TH

Please join Hosts: Stephen and Melissa Murdoch & Abe Powell

Co-hosts: Barney Bergland, Ken Fahn & Suzanne Perkins

Sponsors:

Bob & Carol Bason
Embody Dance
Max & Betsy Drucker
Nancy Goldsholl
Matthew Stotts & Carol Sacks Stotts
Councilmember Roger Horton


Saturday May 30th with live music, food & friends
from 2-4 PM at the home of Stephen & Melissa Murdoch

1564 Ramona Ln Montecito, CA

Co-Host: $1000 Sponsor: $500
Friend: $100 Guest: $75

RSVP: das.williams2010@gmail.com

Signup for Email: Send us an email so we can add you to our supporters list: das.williams2010@gmail.com

Become a Supporter on Facebook: Das Williams Facebook Page

Follow me on Twitter: www.twitter.com/daswilliams


To Make a Contribution to: "Das Williams for Assembly 2010"

Online: Das Campaign 2010 at ActBlue

Mail:

PO Box 22557
Santa Barbara, CA 93121

Labels: 2010, 35th Assembly District