Frazier

Antioch City Councilmember Monica Wilson announced she has earned the endorsement of Assemblymember Jim Frazier (AD-11) and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson for her supervisorial campaign.

“In my time working with Monica Wilson, I have seen how she always prioritizes our community’s best interests,” said Frazier. “Whether it is making sure our families stay safe or bringing financial stability to our government, Monica is known for implementing real and lasting change. Antioch is better for her time on council, and the Board of Supervisors will greatly benefit from her experience. Monica Wilson is the clear choice for this position.”

Jim Frazier was elected to the California State Assembly to represent the 11th Assembly District in November 2012, where he now serves as Chairman of the Transportation Committee and sits on the Veteran Affairs Committee. A local small business owner, Frazier got involved in the community after a traumatizing car accident. Jim worked tirelessly for transportation infrastructure improvements to fix the road that has claimed so many lives. This work inspired him to continue serving the public, including serving as Mayor of Oakley

“I am honored to earn the support from Jim.” said Monica Wilson. “He and I believe in making our community a place that offers better opportunities to residents. I know Jim cares about being accessible to his constituents in order to hear their concerns, and this is a value that we share.”

Assembly District 11 overlaps East Contra Costa County’s Supervisorial District 3 with Antioch, Oakley, Brentwood, and Discovery Bay. In November 2014, Frazier was reelected with 59.7% of the vote.

Torlakson

According to a March 31st post on Wilson’s campaign Facebook page –  “Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson has endorsed my campaign!

Here’s what he said: ‘I’m supportive of Monica Wilson because she’s worked hard in partnering with the community to improve job training for our youth. We need more public servants like Monica. She has my full endorsement and support.’ ”

Torlakson is a former member of the State Senate, State Assembly and County Board of Supervisors all representing Antioch, as well as the Antioch City Council. He was a teacher and cross country coach at Antioch High School.

Wilson lives in Antioch and received her M.B.A. from the University of Phoenix and her B.A. from Howard University. The seat is being vacated by outgoing Supervisor Mary Piepho. Contra Costa County’s Third Supervisorial District includes, Antioch, Oakley, Brentwood, and Discovery Bay. The primary election is June 7, 2016. For more information visit www.monicawilsonforsupervisor.com

Antioch High School Principal Louie Rocha

The Antioch Education Association, the union representing teachers in the Antioch Unified School District, and Antioch High School principal Louie Rocha, today endorsed Antioch Mayor Wade Harper in his campaign for Contra Costa County Supervisor in District 3.

“Nothing is more important to our community than our schools.  Mayor Harper has shown a special dedication to our students, teachers and parents.  His priority is to ensure the safety and success of our students,” said Principal Louie Rocha.  “As a civic leader who has committed his time to serving our youth as a role model and mentor, I believe he is uniquely qualified, and the best candidate – the only choice – to represent us on the Board of Supervisors.  His experience as Mayor, school board member, teacher and police lieutenant makes him uniquely qualified.”

“I think teachers have one of the most important jobs that a person can have, that is, shaping the young minds of our children, ”said Harper. “I am excited and honored to have the support of the Antioch Education Association and Principal Louie Rocha.”

Harper is a former Antioch School Board trustee.  While serving on the board, he started the Healthy Community and School Climate Committee to address safety problems in the schools.

Harper currently serves as a teacher in the Leadership and Public Services Academy teaching law enforcement careers at Antioch High. Having served as a sworn officer, he is able to share his experience and training that led to his career in law enforcement.

“I was excited to have our mayor join our staff,” said Rocha,  “He is making a positive impact on our students.  I have visited his classroom and the students are engaged.”

Harper is the only directly-elected mayor in the race for District 3 Supervisor.  Harper received his MBA in Leadership from John F. Kennedy University and was honored as alumni of the year for the school of management.  Harper received his BA degree in Pastoral Studies from Patten University and was honored as student of the year. For more information about his campaign visit www.facebook.com/HarperSupervisor2016. For more information on the Antioch Education Association, visit http://antiochteachers.org.

Antioch Councilmember Monica Wilson, candidate for District 3, Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors, announced that she earned the endorsement of Service Employees International Union (SEIU) 1021.

“We support Monica for her strong support for high-quality County services, her commitment to economic development that works for working families, and her proven ability to unite and lead state/regional policy makers in protecting our Delta water from tunnel schemes,” said Dan Jameyson, SEIU 1021 Contra Costa Chapter President.

SEIU 1021 represents over 54,000 employees in Northern California in industries ranging from healthcare, non-profits, local governments and schools.

“SEIU 1021 is one of the County’s largest unions,” Monica said. “I’m honored by this endorsement because it shows that Contra Costa’s working families are behind my campaign and we have momentum.”

Wilson is a Workforce Service Specialist for the Workforce Development Board of Contra Costa County. District 3 includes Oakley, Brentwood, Discovery Bay, Bethel Island, Byron, Knightsen, Blackhawk, Diablo and most of Antioch. The election is June 7th.

For more information on SEIU 1021 in Contra Costa County, click here. For more information about Wilson’s campaign visit www.monicawilsonforsupervisor.com.

Candidate for County Supervisor in District 3 and Antioch City Council Member Monica Wilson, announced Monday that she has earned the endorsement of California Nurses Association.

“Monica Wilson is a champion for Contra Costa nurses and patients.” said Kati Johnson, a Perinatal RN at Contra Costa Regional Medical Center. “The California Nurses Association’s is proud to endorse Ms. Wilson. She is committed to ensuring that our patients receive the care they deserve and that nurses have the support they need to continue serving our community. We unanimously support Monica and we know she is the best candidate to deliver real results.”

The California Nurses Association, together with the National Nurses Organizing Committee and the AFL-CIO, has more than 86,000 members in hospitals, clinics and home health agencies throughout the country. As one of the nation’s fastest growing labor and professional organizations, CNA has grown by nearly 400 percent in the past 15 years.

“I am grateful to have the support of the California Nurses Association.” said Wilson. “The compassion and work ethic of nurses is what inspires me to fight for what’s best for our community.”

District 3 includes Antioch, Oakley, Brentwood, and Discovery Bay. The primary election is June 7, 2016.

Ken Turnage II

Antioch businessman and 2015 Citizen of the Year, Ken Turnage II announced his campaign for the Antioch City Council in the November election, on Monday.

“As a life-time resident and business owner of Antioch, I am pleased and excited to announce that this fall; I will be running for Antioch City Council,” he said. “Antioch is the town that I have grown up in and love. We have seen growing pains lately and I have witnessed some questionable decisions made by the current city council. With deep ties into the community, I feel that I will bring a positive perspective not seen on the council in some time. I represent a fresh start with a new approach to the business as usual mentality in Antioch. With some hard work, we can get Antioch back on track.”

Turnage, who was recently named the 2015 Antioch Citizen of the Year for Most Impact, shared why he is running.

“I plan on running a transparent campaign and with an open line of communication with residents,” he stated. “I look forward to discussing many issues facing our city and working on realistic solutions on budget issues, crime, and future growth.

“As a business owner, I know some of the challenges our local businesses face and we must make some adjustments at a city level to attract and retain businesses while giving them a chance to succeed,” Turnage continued.

“I consider myself truly independent and free of special interest groups which will allow for honest conversation and apply decision making skills with what is best for the city and community as a whole,” he added. “In the near future, I will be releasing information on a campaign kickoff event, a website launch, and more.  In the meantime, you may follow me on my Facebook page here,  call me at 754-5232 or email me at k2gc@comcast.net with your ideas and concerns.”

Turnage is a licensed general contractor and owner of K2GC, Inc. in Antioch with 20 employees. He and his wife Teresa have two daughters. He serves on the City of Antioch’s Economic Development Commission.

Odessa Lefrancois, courtesy of the NAACP website

Becomes sixth candidate to join the race in District 3

Odessa Lefrancois, a 16-year resident of East Contra Costa County and a 12-year county health services employee, made her candidacy for District 3 Supervisor official by completing her filing on Wednesday afternoon, March 9th, as supporters and volunteers dressed in “Vote for Odessa” shirts looked on at the County Office of Elections and Registration.

Informally beginning her campaign last November, by riding in a car with signs announcing her candidacy in Antioch’s Veterans Day Parade, Lefrancois is undeterred to join a race with five other candidates seeking to replace Mary Piepho.

“I’ve not only lived in the district for a long time, I’ve also worked (and still do) for the County for over a decade,” she said. “I’ve seen County governance both from the inside and the outside.  More importantly, I’ve experienced, firsthand, the effects of Supervisor decisions as a resident as well as an employee. I have something unique that the other candidates don’t have – a dual perspective and experience.”

Recent decisions from the Supervisors have led Lefrancois to her run for Supervisor.

“For nearly a decade, we have seen the County reduce or completely cut services, close down health care facilities, roll back employee salaries and benefits, and insist residents do more with less,” she said. “Supervisors preached sacrifice.”

But one decision in particular concretized Odessa Lefrancois’ determination to run.”

Filing her papers at the County Elections Office on Wednesday, March 9th.

“When the Supervisors, minus Candace Andersen, voted to raise their own salaries by an unbelievable 33% while preaching sacrifice to everyone else, I knew this County needed new leadership,” she stated.  “That decision was incredibly self serving. Leaders serve the public interest, not their own interest.”

On her priorities for the County, she said, “I am neither a career politician nor a political opportunist chasing the next office. I am a mother, a resident, a County health services employee, a retired Navy veteran, and a community volunteer.”

As a mother and resident, Lefrancois’ priorities are improved public safety and the preservation of green spaces and wetlands for families to enjoy.

As an employee, Lefrancois’ priorities are better regional transportation infrastructure and County leadership that will treat their employees fairly, and to lead by example.

As a Navy vet, Lefrancois’ priorities are better health care delivery to all, especially our men and women in uniform who served honorably but now have mental and/or physical health needs to heal.

As a community volunteer for faith-based organizations working to serve those who are traditionally underrepresented and ignored, Lefrancois’ priorities are to become a Supervisor who is relentless in engaging her constituents and responding to the needs of those constituents.

Odessa’s supporters who joined her at the County Elections Office.

According to her bio on the NAACP East County Branch website, two weeks after graduating from Lincoln High School in McClellanville, she joined the United States Navy.

During her military career she was trained as a hospital corpsman and a respiratory therapist. Training led to a military career that took her to over thirty-five states in the United States and five foreign countries (Japan, Korea, Philippines, Canada and Mexico).  She retired from the military after 21 years of honorable service at the rank of Chief Petty Officer (E7).   After retirement, she went on to complete a Bachelor of Arts degree in Organizational Leadership and Management from Chapman University, in Orange County, California. Community involvement includes but not limited to Health Chair for Antioch Church Family and the current President of the East County National Association for the Advancement of Colored (NAACP) Branch.

Lefrancois is a proud mother of two children, Shane (28) and Lorraine (20) and three grandchildren. She enjoys bicycle riding, reading, traveling and most important, living a life of service to others. She is currently employed as a respiratory therapist at Contra Costa Regional Medical Center and Kaiser, Walnut Creek Medical Center. Lefrancois resides with her husband, Louis in Antioch.

The election is June 7th. If no candidate receives a majority of the vote, the top two candidates will face off in the General Election in November.

Betty Yee, courtesy of the California State Controller’s website.

Antioch City Councilmember and community advocate Monica Wilson announced she had added the endorsement of State Controller Betty Yee to a growing list of support for Contra Costa Supervisor.

“Monica is a champion for Contra Costa in improving the economy and quality of life for its residents and businesses,” Yee said. “Her demonstrated leadership and experience in the business and public sectors will serve Contra Costa County well. I wholeheartedly support Monica Wilson for county supervisor.”

Controller Betty Yee, of San Francisco, currently serves as the state’s Chief Financial Officer. She chairs the Franchise Tax Board and serves as a member of the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) and the California State Teachers’ Retirement System (CalSTRS) Boards, which have a combined portfolio of nearly $500 billion. Yee was elected to the seat in November 2014, defeating the Republican Mayor of Fresno Ashley Swearengin in 2014 with 54% of the vote.

“I am thrilled to have the support of our State Controller, Betty Yee.” said Wilson. “We both share the same goal of making sure California’s working families receive their fair share.”

Prior to serving as State Controller, Betty Yee served on the Board of Equalization since 2006 until 2015, representing 21 counties in northern and central California. Yee’s 30 years of experience in public service include serving as Chief Deputy Director for Budget with the California Department of Finance.

Yee also serves on the Board of Directors for the Equality California Institute, the nation’s largest statewide lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender civil rights organization. She is a Co-founder of the Asian Pacific Youth Leadership Project, which engages California high school students in public service and politics.

Yee is the newest high profile endorser for Wilson’s supervisorial campaign, which recently announced it had also received the backing of Board of Equalization Chairwoman Fiona Ma. Yee has served as Vice President of California Women Lead, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization for women holding or interested in running for political office, for which Ma currently serves as Treasurer.

Wilson lives in Antioch and received her M.B.A. from the University of Phoenix and her B.A. from Howard University. She is currently an Antioch City Councilmember. The seat is being vacated by outgoing third district Supervisor Mary Piepho. Contra Costa County’s third supervisorial district includes Antioch, Oakley, Brentwood, and Discovery Bay. The primary election is June 7, 2016.

Nance continues to build momentum to defeat failed incumbent Jerry McNerney as law enforcement continues to back Nance in battleground CD 9

Kathryn Nance, current President of the Stockton Police Officers Association and a 19 year member of the Stockton Police Department, today received the endorsement of San Joaquin County Sheriff Steve Moore in her campaign for Congress against who she labels the “vulnerable” incumbent Congressman Jerry McNerney.

“Kathryn Nance is the fresh face and new generation of leader that the 9th congressional district needs,” stated Sheriff Moore.  “Her 19 years as a member of the Stockton Police Department upholding the vow to ‘protect and serve’ shows her dedication to our community.  I am proud to give Kathryn Nance my endorsement for her campaign in the 9th congressional district and know that she will be a strong advocate for public safety in Congress.”

The 9th Congressional District encompasses the majority of San Joaquin County, as well as a small portion of Contra Costa including most of Antioch, and the City of Galt in Sacramento County.

“I am honored to have Sheriff Moore’s support and hope to take the fight against violent crime to our nation’s capital,” said Nance. “Jerry McNerney has been nowhere to be found in the fight against the criminal gangs and organized crime that costs lives and property for law abiding citizens.  I will be a voice for the victims of crime, not the perpetrators of it.”

Born and raised in the Stockton area, Kathryn Nance is a 19-year veteran of the Stockton Police Department, currently serving as a Sergeant with the Department’s AB109 Task Force and as President of the Stockton Police Officers Association.  She has previously served as a Field Training Officer and as a member of the Department’s Gang and Homicide units.  She is married to her husband of 11 years, James Nance, who also serves as an officer with the Stockton Police Department.  Together, they have a blended family of four children, ranging in ages of 15 to 23.  Kathryn is an avid outdoors enthusiast and enjoys activities such as hiking, cycling, kayaking and CrossFit.  Kathryn also served as the Chairwoman of Stockton’s annual “Strides Against Cancer” relay.

To learn more about Kathryn Nance for Congress, visit us online at www.Nance2016.com, like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/KathrynNanceForCongress and follow us on Twitter @Nance2016.