I know, I’m not from the San Francisco area. But I’ve been following Michael Nava for a long time and it takes a lot for any political candidate to impress me. He’s openly gay, has a long time life partner, and he’s working hard to go up against tradition so he can make positive changes. If I lived in the San Francisco area I’d be going door to door helping get him votes. But the best I can do is post a few of his e-mails here for readers. If you’re in the SF area, please take the time to read these. And please pass this on to anyone you might know in SF.
60 DAYS AND COUNTING
Greetings from the campaign trail
—It was a year ago this month – just before my 55th birthday on September 16 – that I decided to run for the San Francisco Superior Court. It was not an easy decision. I’ve been a lawyer for almost 30 years. I realized that in a couple of years I could retire and begin another career, maybe as a teacher, or return to writing fiction, or pursue any one of my many interests outside the law.
But in the last few years it has become clear to me that the lack of diversity among California’s judges is a serious issue on many levels. It means that for young people from disenfranchised communities who want to enter the profession – young people of color, women, LGBT people – there are few role models and mentors to look to for encouragement, inspiration and assistance. It means that the people most likely to be ensnared in the legal system on both the criminal and civil side –poor people of color –are confronted by a system in which no one looks like them or has had their life experience. When I was a young prosecutor in the early 80’s, often the only other Latino in the courtroom was the defendant. I fear that that has not much changed.
I entered the race to change the status quo and help create a judiciary in San Francisco that looks like the community it serves.
We are now in the last stretch of this race. It has been hard-fought campaign and my opponent has tried everything from frontal assaults to backroom political maneuvers but the people gave me the highest number of votes in June and, if I can continue to get my message out to them, will give us victory on November 2nd.
I cannot begin to express the gratitude I feel for those of you who have supported me in this long and exhausting effort; I can only hope to repay that debt by becoming the best judge and public servant I can be.
In these final few weeks, I need your help more than ever. If you have considered making a contribution to my campaign, in whatever amount, now is the time. My budget requires me to raise $60,000 between now and mid-October. That money will go to sending out mailers, paying for slots on slate cards, and other forms of advertisement. Help me across the finish line by making an on-line contribution at http://www.navaforjudge.com or downloading the contributor form on my website and sending a check to: Michael Nava for Judge 2010, PO Box 78403, SF, CA. 94107.
Thank you, Michael
