Jack O'Connell endorses Das Williams

"The sole candidate we can trust to represent the 35th Assembly District is Das Williams,” said O’Connell. “Das is the only candidate I’m supporting in this race. His background and record of fighting for schools, teachers and students is unmatched, and I know he’ll do an amazing job advocating for a stronger education system in our Capitol. In my view, Das will bring the perfect blend of energy, experience and new ideas to the State Assembly.”

Das Williams - Endorsed by the Santa Barbara Independent

The Santa Barbara Independent has endorsed Das for State Assembly on the November ballot.

Few Santa Barbara politicians come as prepared, equipped, and temperamentally suited to serve in Sacramento as Das Williams, the politically restless progressive now holding down the left end of the Santa Barbara City Council. Williams is both pragmatist and ideologue, meaning he can grandstand with the best of them but also get things done. With local roots running deep, Williams will remain accessible once ensconced in the weird Twilight Zone of Sacramento. Constituent calls will be returned; their issues, addressed. The same cannot be said for the recent occupant of that seat.

The Democratic Women of Santa Barbara County

endorse Das Williams for State Assembly.

The Non-Partisan California League of Conservation Voters

is endorsing Das Williams
for the 35th State Assembly District.

Dr. Walter Kohn endorses Das Williams

Dr. Walter Kohn, recipient of the 1998 Nobel Prize in Chemistry and local UCSB Professor, endorses Das Williams for the 35th Assembly District.

“It is one of the biggest highlights of my life to have earned the respect, confidence and support of a world class mind like Walter Kohn,” said Das. “Dr. Kohn understands the importance of a strong K-12 and higher education system, as well as the benefits that come from investments in research and in the new technologies and industries that allow for more renewable, cleaner ways of living.”

“I share Dr. Kohn’s commitment to more sustainable growth and creating an educational system that generates more breakthroughs and advancements toward that end. I will work every day to honor his endorsement of my campaign by continuing to fight for our schools and teachers, and for greater reliance on renewable energy,” added Williams.

Ventura County Professional Peace Officers Support Das Williams

and you should too!

Santa Barbara City Councilmember Das Williams is proud to report today that his campaign for Assembly District 35 has picked up an endorsement from the Ventura County Professional Peace Officers Association (VCPPOA).

“Das Williams has an exemplary record when it comes to public safety and helping local law enforcement do their jobs protecting our communities,” said Diane Hubbard, President of VCPPOA, which represents 325 deputy probation officers, corrections services officers, harbor patrol officers, airport operations officers and park rangers in Ventura County. “We are eager to work with him on important issues as our District’s next Assemblymember.”

VCPPOA joins a number of other major public safety groups in the region and state in endorsing Williams’ candidacy for this open Assembly seat, including the Peace Officers Research Association of California, Santa Barbara Police Officers Association, AFSCME Local 685 Deputy Probation Officers, the California Asian Peace Officers’ Association, the California Association of Highway Patrolmen, the California Professional Firefighters, Ventura County Professional Firefighters Association, the Santa Barbara City and County Firefighters, and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Firefighters (CDF Firefighters).

Das Williams gives thanks

To all those volunteers who have given so much time and energy to his true grassroots campaign.

Thanks to all the many, many volunteers who are in this fight to the end. In Oxnard, Ventura, Santa Barbara, Goleta and Isla Vista, we are reaching thousands of people a day, reminding them where their polling stations are and to support our campaign. We're still at it and will be right up to the close of polling stations at 8pm

So..VOTE DAS...Give him your endorsement. We LOVE DAS!

Environmentalist Linda Krop supports Das Williams

From her letter to the Ventura County Star:

I know from personal experience that Das Williams is an outstanding and effective environmental advocate. He has been part of our local environmental movement his entire life. As a board member of the Environmental Defense Center, Williams fought hard to oppose new oil leasing off our coast. As staff to former assembly member Hannah-Beth Jackson, Williams helped author legislation supporting the federal oil moratorium and blocking new oil tankering. As a Santa Barbara City Councilmember, Williams has taken a leadership role in the city, opposing offshore oil development and helping author the resolution adopted by the city opposing new leasing in federal waters.

But Williams doesn’t just say “no.” He also finds solutions. He has led the city in transitioning to a renewable energy future, making the city a leader in our state and nation. Under his leadership, the city has doubled its use of alternative energy and created hundreds of green sustainable jobs.

To pretend that Das Williams is pro-oil is the same as saying that congresswoman Lois Capps, former assembly member Hannah-Beth Jackson, Santa Barbara County Supervisors Salud Carbajal, Janet Wolf and Doreen Farr, and Santa Barbara Mayor Helene Schneider are pro-oil. They all joined Williams in supporting a plan to end existing drilling off Santa Barbara County’s coast.

I support Das Williams for State Assembly because he is a visionary and will move our community and state in a positive direction.

Linda Krop
Santa Barbara

The Santa Barbara Indy Endorses Das Williams

Santa Barbara Bicycle Fashion Show
Originally uploaded by CycleMAYnia 2010.

for the 35th State Assembly District.

Given the entrenched dysfunction gripping Sacramento, we have our doubts what difference anyone we send there to represent us can actually make. That being acknowledged, we remain hopeful that Democratic candidate Das Williams, a seven-year city councilmember from Santa Barbara, possesses the requisite political chops, youthful idealism, and cold-blooded pragmatism to actually make a dent.

...As a matter of temperament, Williams is that rare political animal who actually seems suited to the Byzantine challenges Sacramento has to offer. But given his life history — so deeply rooted in the culture, community, and values of the South Coast where he was born and bred — we’re confident Williams will remain connected and accountable to his constituents.

CA Labor Federation Endorses Das for Assembly District 35

From the Los Angeles Chronicle:

Leading into this weekend´s California Democratic Party (CDP) Convention in Los Angeles where he is expected to gain the CDP´s formal endorsement, Santa Barbara City Councilmember Das Williams announced today that the California Labor Federation has endorsed his bid for State Assembly District 35. Their support highlights Das Williams´ personal history and record of supporting working families, fair wages and safe working conditions, as well as his efforts to create local jobs, affordable housing, and access to higher education and health care.

...."I am proud to have the support and trust of the California Labor Federation," Das Williams commented. "I realize that the gravity of present events, and the heavy reliance on quick-fix solutions such as cuts-only budgets, furloughs, borrowing, and other fiscal gimmicks have only hurt the working men and women who support our great state."

"My success in the city of Santa Barbara has required committed, principled leadership," added Williams. "I am thankful that the AFL-CIO shares my principles and believes in my ability to succeed on the state level as I have at the local level. I pledge my own support and efforts to do what needs to be done to get California back on track without sacrificing vital services, access to quality healthcare and education, and environmental safeguards."