I'm listening.  I am listening to our physicians and farmers, scientists and school teachers, small business owners and seniors.  What I'm hearing is that families are stretching and struggling to make it through this economic slump.  Like many of you, our family is dealing with increased college tuition, reduced income, skyrocketing health insurance, aging parents and other challenges of daily life. On the bright side, we feel privileged to live in our beautiful community and enjoy every day here.

As your representative I will work full time in our district to support the many worthy causes and strategic needs of our citizens and I'll fight in Congress to strengthen our voice and influence. We will no longer have to settle for an absentee representative or settle for second-rate representation. We need and deserve better.  Whether you are a Senior or a CEO you'll have my ear at home and my voice in Washington. 

I am eager to build on our unique 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. Aside from making our lives so enjoyable, our perfect weather is also one of the reasons that the 50th district is home to a large portion of San Diego's flourishing agricultural economy that is ranked #1 in California and in the nation in nursery, flora-culture, avocados, organic farms and small farms. We are ranked #2 in women-operated farms and #3 in honey production!

I will work with leaders in business, healthcare, education, agriculture, labor, non-profit organizations to increase our resources and leverage our many assets to fire up the economic engine of our 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 insults 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.