As mayors of two very close cities of about the same size, Jesse and I worked on many of the same issues, such as homelessness, health care, education and economic development. He was my alternate as a BCDC commissioner, and when I left, he became the ABAG-appointed BCDC commissioner representing all the East Bay cities. He very ably chaired ABAG (Association of Bay Area Governments) and became immersed in regional government issues, including steering the approval of Plan Bay Area 2015, the future vision for the Bay Area. He is my choice to replace the termed-out Senator Nancy Skinner.

I hope you will turn out to meet him on October 5 and will support him with your vote next year.