Letter: Why I support Richard Holober for State Assembly

As the 19th Assembly District Democratic primary campaign heats up, our mailboxes have been flooded with claims of "special interest group" support for and against various candidates. I’d like to set the record straight about one of the candidates, Richard Holober. I have served on the San Mateo County Community College District Board of Trustees with Richard for four years, and have known him personally for many years before that.

The only "special interests" that Richard represents are hard-working families in San Mateo County and beyond. I have seen him work tirelessly to support apprenticeship programs for our youth who want to go into the building trades; in support of training more nurses and allied health professionals to improve healthcare right here in our county; and helping airport workers laid off after 9/11 gain job opportunities in biotech manufacturing. Richard believes in creating good jobs with fair wages and benefits that people can afford to live on right here in San Mateo County.

He has also been a tireless advocate for our rights as consumers for financial privacy and fair billing practices. Richard is an environmentalist, endorsed by both the Sierra Club and Vote the Coast, and is the candidate in this race who has not taken money from developers! While on the College Board, Richard has supported the expansion of classes offered in Half Moon Bay and led our "Green Building" efforts. The only "special interests" he represents are people like us. That’s why I’m joining our teachers and nurses in supporting Richard Holober for election to the State Assembly. I hope Coastside residents will also vote for Richard.

Dave Mandelkern
Trustee,
San Mateo County Community College District