Since moving to Orange County from Madison, Wisconsin five years ago, my
"profession" has changed from being a University Professor (of Biology) to
being a full time volunteer grassroots progressive activist. This shift has
permitted me to work diligently in many contexts, with many organizations,
both within and outside the Democratic Party.. For some considerable time,
my general conviction/passion has been that grassroots engagement is the
most effective way to overcome the corporate big money stranglehold over all
aspects of society, including the operations of government at all levels –
community, county, state, federal and international.

It is abundantly clear that the progressive voice is expanding rapidly
within the CDP. Some claim that the expansion is yet insufficient to  have a
substantive role; others claim that progressives are now in the majority in
the state party. Either way, there is clearly a huge amount of work to be
done, both short term and long term. This is clearly both a critically
important and critically challenging time to do this work. I hope to
continue to play a very active role in these efforts. I have been a
delegate, and have attended every state convention and state executive board
meeting, from 2006 on. I have produced, and worked with others to produce,
contributions to the state platform and resolutions committees, and have
been an active participant in the progressive and environmental caucuses.

I continue to be Co-organizer of the OC Chapter of the California Clean
Money Campaign and have participated in all the key election protection
issues. I have continued to work hard, and have lobbied as a volunteer, for
(single) publicly financed, privately delivered health care for all, both at
the state (SB 840) and federal (HR 676) levels, as well as actively
participating in the PDA Healthcare NOT Warfare program. I have continued to
work hard on green economy, environmental protection and global warming
issues, with several non-profit organizations.. I work hard to bring key
action alerts forward on economic and social justice issues, including "out
of poverty'" and  "restore the middle class "issues.  I work hard to bring
key action alerts forward on Civil Rights and Liberties; restoring the rule
of law, functional checks and balances, and accountability. I foster the
awareness that these and other issues are all interconnected.

On the county level, I have been re-elected to the Democratic Party of
Orange County Central Committee and have served on its Executive Board since
2007. I am the Chair and current sole member of the DPOC Central Committee's
Legislative Committee and
bring action items to monthly meetings of the central committee. I have
continued to be active in several Orange County candidate campaigns,
including both inside and outside of my districts, and have opened my wallet
to a much broader spectrum of campaigns.

Finally, I look forward to continuing my active participation with the
California Democratic Council (of clubs), as well as interacting directly
with several of the Orange County Democratic Clubs.