I have had a lifelong passion for peace, civil rights, and social justice. It was not until the Democratic Party failed to field even a token candidate to oppose the ultra-conservative Congressman George Radanovich that I became incensed enough to do something as a Democratic activist.

I resolved that if the Democrats would not put up a candidate I would get my name on the ballot as a place-holder (often regarded as a “throw-away”) candidate. I had already collected some 250 petition signatures before another progressive candidate with substantial financial resources stepped forward and I withdrew. It was this candidate, Dan Rosenberg, who mobilized a great deal of support from the Gay community in his futile but daring run against Radanovich in 2000.

My experience with the Rosenberg for Congress campaign as a precinct volunteer made me realize that progressives needed an on-going grass roots organization that would be in place before the next campaign began. Barbara Pyle, a member of the Fresno County Democratic Central Committee made me her alternate and was instrumental in helping launch Fresno Stonewall Democrats at a Central California Alliance Dinner featuring the out Gay Democratic Congressman Barney Frank in the Spring of 2001.

I became the first Stonewall Chair and was re-elected in 2003. In the meantime, I was elected to membership of both the Fresno County Democratic Central Committee and the State Central Committee of the Democratic Party in 2003. I was a delegate to the Democratic State Party Conventions in 2003 in Sacramento an in 2004 in San Jose. It was at the 2003 convention where the progressive congressman, Dennis Kucinich, spoke that I became an advocate for this candidacy for President.

Following the calamity of 9/11 in 2001, I was one of the charter members of Peace Fresno http://www.peacefresno.org/ and I have participated in countless peace marches and vigils since that time. As part of Peace Fresno, I even have a brief appearance in Michael Moore’s box office smash hit motion picture Fahrenheit 9/11. http://www.apple.com/trailers/lions_gate/fahrenheit_911/ .

My memberships include the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Central Valley Progressive PAC, the Sierra Club, Fresno Humanists (online list)  http://fresno.humanists.net/ , Central California Alliance http://www.ccafresno.org/

I was recently elected Vice Chair of the 29^th Assembly District Committee of the California Democratic Party for the 2005-2006 term of office.

I graduated from Fresno State College (California State University Fresno) in 1968 with a BA degree in fine art. Just prior to graduation, I failed the induction physical for enlistment in the Army due to my poor eyesight.

After graduation I started a retail book store in Long Beach California. I spent most of the 70s in the Hermosa Beach and retuned to Fresno in 1980.

I currently work as a low wage retail sales clerk for a large corporation.