Primary Election Date: 06/01/2010
General Election Date: 11/02/2010

Who Am I?

I was born and raised in Buffalo, New York. I received a degree in Education of the Visually Impaired from the University of Texas at Austin. While teaching at the Texas School for the Blind in Austin, I met and married my husband, Solly. In 1985, we relocated to Irvine, California where we opened an optometry practice and raised our children.

In 2000, I began attending Irvine City Council meetings. Skeptical about the ability of city leaders to effectively fight a proposed airport, I decided to run for City Council and was successfully elected in November 2000. I went on to win four more consecutive elections, including two terms as the directly elected Mayor of Irvine.

As mayor, I advanced initiatives that support balanced planning, “smart growth” and environmental stewardship, and enhanced community partnerships with local educational institutions, businesses and non-profits.

During my tenure as Mayor, Irvine was recognized as the “safest big city” in America as well as one of the "greenest" cities in the nation. I was proud to be one of the first mayors to sign on to the US Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement.

Frustrated by the stridently partisan, ineffective and non-responsive profile of the incumbent, I launched my Congressional campaign in 2009. Having been a mayor, I understand how decisions made in Washington impact local communities and want to bring that experience to the table.

Why Am I Running?

The district I am running in is a highly educated, multi-cultural region yet is represented by a man who is stridently partisan, co-sponsored the birther legislation, is anti-government and has refused to work with the people and cities he represents. I want to provide real leadership on issues that are important to all Americans — economic development, health care, education and environmental stewardship.

I have a record of demonstrating smart, strategic and courageous leadership at the local level. I look forward to the opportunity to work for positive change in Washington.

• I will work to stimulate all sectors of the economy through smart, strategic deployment of federal resources and to protect consumers by reforming our financial system and demanding greater accountability from all the stakeholders who participate in our markets and who drive our economy.

• I will work to reform health care. In order to create a health care system that works, there must be greater accountability built into our national healthcare reforms — by individuals, physicians, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies and insurers.

• I will work to advance innovation, environmental stewardship and our “green” economy, reducing our dependence on foreign oil through the development of alternative fuels, expanding the use of solar and creating thousands of new “green collar” jobs.

• I will work to achieve enhanced federal support for education, taking on the challenges of low-functioning schools, making college more accessible and ensuring that all young people have the chance to master academics, think critically, and embrace new ideas and experiences.

Hold Me Accountable!

- Our Economy
- Health Care
- Education

My DFA values:

I have brought my experience as a teacher, a business owner, a community volunteer and a mother to my work as an elected official. During my term as mayor, city reserves were tripled to better prepare the city for the current economic downturn. As a result, Irvine has accumulated more than $30 million in “rainy day” reserves, and more than $70 million in an Asset Management Fund, a $100 million buffer which will provide a significant hedge during these uncertain times.

While ensuring the economic stability of my city, I also led the effort to implement policies to expand affordable housing, transit, community health initiatives, educational partnerships and civic engagement. I am proud to have earned a solid reputation as a community leader by working collaboratively with the business community, the education community, the civic community and the non-profit community.

When I speak to young people, I tell them I was born at a time when segregation was legally sanctioned in America. I have personally seen what can be achieved through political courage and a progressive vision.

My Campaign is People-Powered!

Having won five consecutive elections in a city with a Republican registration advantage, I understand how important it is to rely on a strong grassroots organization and have always done so.

My campaign has held a number of community events (canned food drive for local food banks, collecting items for homeless shelters, beach cleanups). These events are driven by volunteers and help to engage the community as a whole in a non-political conversation about the importance of giving back.

We have 300 volunteers on the ground who are walking, phone banking, and helping get our message out to the district. We also have city leaders who volunteer to coordinate our community events. These leaders locate venues for our events, recruit volunteers in their respective cities, and place announcements in local papers. Since these leaders know their cities, it's been a wonderful way to ensure we are reaching each and every community.

Although I have wonderful paid staff, I know that I will only win this race, as I have every other race I've ever entered, with a strong people-powered campaign.