Picture this: You meet “Francine” --- you’re on a first-name basis with your Congresswoman --- visiting your business, school, or neighborhood park for a scheduled Listening Day, checking on our Veterans or military families, even squeezing the tomatoes at the local farmers' market. You exchange greetings and you share your concerns with her because you know that she listens. That’s why you count on her to bring a greater voice for the 50th district to Washington.

When is the last time you saw your Congressman in your community? It's been a long time. In fact, it's been so long that citizens here assume that absentee representatives are the norm. Well it's not normal. That's about to change because I understand that my job as your Representative is problem solving. Whether you are a Senior or a CEO you'll have my ear at home and my voice in Washington.

I am proud of our district and eager to build on our abundant regional strengths to transform our economic potential into the reality of new ventures, more jobs, better schools and healthy families. The 50th District is unique. It is home to one of the world's highest concentrations of innovative businesses and research institutes. Whether it's cutting edge technology in cell phones, stem cells, solar cells, or break-throughs in surfing, skating and golf our 50th district is world class. Even the many variations of the Poinsettia that beautify the holidays around the world are generated in our district.

I will work with leaders in business, healthcare, education, labor, non-profit organizations to fire up the economic engine of our high-tech, bio-tech, green-tech and other enterprises to provide jobs, foster economic growth locally and to create a better future globally.

I envision San Diego as America's Center of Innovation as we emerge as a leader in the new economy based on science, technology and education. I am pursuing a position on the Energy and Commerce Committee to serve our regional needs from the port to patents. I will work to lower the cost of healthcare, accelerate the development of sustainable energy and advocate for affordable, quality education.

For over twenty years I have lived and worked in the beautiful 50th District. My family, like yours, works hard, values education, loves this country and wants our hard-earned tax dollars invested back into our communities. I will protect our quality of life --- our values, our environment, our livelihoods --- the reasons that we choose to live here. I will respect and represent the varied views that distinguish us, and champion the common vision that unites us.

It is time to end the political double-speak and fear-mongering that insult us all. Blame and innuendo do not move us forward. Solutions do. I will listen to your concerns, tell you like it is, and work harder than anyone else to get the job done right.

Please join my campaign to bring a greater voice from your house in the 50th district to the people's house in Washington D.C.