Politics is how you define it.

For those not aware, I am running for State Assembly. 

It's been a remarkable period in my life ranging from bringing attention to new ideas to connecting people of different political affiliations and walks of life. But there's a dark cloud that I have to write about in this post... of discrimination. A discrimination of a political sort.

I've experienced disheartening discrimination on the campaign trail because of my political affiliation: Democrat. People start concluding I am for one thing or for another without asking first. And, without even having their facts straight. It reminds me of when I travelled through Europe and I would have people verbally try to insult me because Bush was our President at the time. They specifically named Bush and his policies. They looked at me as if I was Bush and their scorn was apparent. Regardless of who is in office, I support my country. Here and now, instead of learning more about ideas & experience before making a conclusion, some citizens are considering who to vote for just based on sheer name recognition. To those that complain about politics I must say: That's just creating the problems we can all agree on are problems. There is more to politics than name recognition. There is idea generation & policy reformation. And fire prevention. And pension re-examination.

It's exciting to get constituents who ask good questions and do their research. During the primary, many who heard of me were asking insightful questions that showed their interest in the complexity of politics and the problems we face. They fought our society's desire to over simplify complicated issues and got to better know what their vote meant and to whom they were voting for. Whomever they voted for, they did their due diligence and they should be proud for that. I commend these individuals. Engaging with one's constituency is an exciting part of campaigning...including with one's opponents.

In the Primary campaign, I had a challenger who is a Republican who I had the good fortune of meeting and connecting with. I would've been honored to have competed with him because he was putting in the work I was putting in too and it would have been a real and serious debate.

In light of my experience with former challenger for AD77, Mr. Dustin Steiner (R), I have decided to formally invite him to join our team, upon election to the Assembly, as Land Use Advisor to help represent San Diego's interests in that capacity in Sacramento. I found him to be a man of professionalism and a hard worker and I'd welcome the opportunity to work with him toward the betterment of our quality of life and the protection of our communities' interests.

We must work together regardless of party and ideology. Our common denominator is that we want what is best for our communities. The next step is ultimately how we tap into that commonality. About listening and considering. And, taking a stand in your own way.

Nathan Fletcher understands this better than most when he took a stand and went from Republican to Independent. He has made efforts to connect with Democrats and Republicans and Independents.

Ultimately, politics is how each of us defines it. For me, regardless of political party, we are all neighbors in the communities we reside, play and work. Our shared values become stronger through results that make us safer, happier and more productive in our own eyes and the way of the world helps everyone.

And that's why I am running for State Assembly.