David Campos was a former San Francisco Deputy City Attorney, former Police Commissioner, District 9 Supervisor, Santa Clara Deputy County Executive, and is currently Chief-of-Staff to District Attorney Chesa Boudin. David is running his campaign for State Assembly 100 percent corporate-free, and aspires to end childhood hunger and reduce poverty for all Californians.

El Tecolote: Why are you running for State Assembly? 

David Campos: I think the city is at a critical time in its history. The most vulnerable in this city need a voice to champion their interests. Everyone has suffered during the pandemic, but there are some communities that have suffered more than others, especially communities of color, poor people, and key among them, the Latino community. I think it is time that we finally have a Latino voice from San Francisco in the state legislature. You know, we haven’t had a Latino/Latina in this role for 200 years, and I think we’ve waited long enough.

If elected, how do you hope to help Californians? 

To push for the fundamental changes we need, beginning with Medicare for all. Continuing with a Green New Deal, housing that is affordable for all Californians, prioritizing public education and criminal justice reform. And the reason that we’re running a corporate-free campaign is because that allows us to have the political freedom to push for change. 

How will Latinos in your district benefit from your election into the state assembly?

The systemic changes that we’re pushing for benefit all people but especially the most vulnerable, and that includes members of the Latino community. I think something like Medicare for all is a life and death issue for Latinos who, during the pandemic in California, died from COVID at a rate that was eight times higher than their Anglo counterparts. 

If elected, what will be the first pieces of legislation you will introduce and why? 

The first thing that I’m going to work on is Medicare for All. I will also work to push for a Green New Deal in California to make sure that the state moves away from fossil fuels.

Why did you choose to run for this office? If it’s only for a three month term?

I believe that the changes that are needed need to happen at the state level. And that’s the state legislature, and that’s why I’m running for this. You know, because I believe that that’s where change can happen. And I believe that the person who represents San Francisco in this seat can really make a difference at the state level.

What experiences do you have that will benefit the people?

There is a personal experience of being an immigrant, the experience of having been undocumented and living in the shadows and knowing what it’s like to feel disconnected from the rest of society. The personal experience of being LGBTQ and what comes with that. There’s also the professional experience of having been a legislator on the Board of Supervisors and not just a legislator, but one of the most effective legislators who pushed some of the most significant changes in San Francisco. 

 If elected, what do you see as some of the challenges you will face?

The power of big money, especially from real estate developers, they have a lot of power in Sacramento and getting changes through in that environment will be difficult. 

How will you overcome those challenges?

I think it’s about being strategic in how you approach legislation. Understanding that no big change can happen without grassroots support, organizing at the grassroots level throughout the state, so that the people whose votes you need to make change happen, hear directly from their constituents about why that change is needed. 

Overall, how responsive has the state assembly been to the district you hope to be representing and why has that been the case?

I give credit to David Chiu as the prior Assembly Member for addressing some of the issues facing the district. Whether it’s housing, whether it’s transportation. But I think the issue for me is that the assembly itself has not tackled the big systemic changes that are needed in the state, beginning with Medicare for all. 

In closing, is there anything else you’d like to add? 

This is going to be a low turnout election. I encourage and urge every voter in this district to vote, because this is going to be a close race, and it’s going to be decided by just a few votes.