NAME: Derek Cressman
AGE: 46. Born in Seattle, Dec. 12, 1967
PARTY: Democratic
EXPERIENCE: Led Democracy program for Public Interest Research Groups from 1995 to 2006. Served in government watchdog advocacy group Common Cause from 2006 to 2013 including as vice president for state operations in last year
FAMILY: Wife Deniz Tuncer, two daughters
WEBSITE: www.derekcressman.com
PRIORITIES: Hold hearings showcasing elected officials stances on corporate money in politics, improving voter and business registration and creating digital voter guide with campaign finance data and debate archives
___
Name: David Curtis
AGE: 49. Born in Las Vegas, Aug. 21, 1964
PARTY: Green
EXPERIENCE: Designer for architect firms, Green Party activist since 2000 Ralph Nader presidential campaign
FAMILY: Partner Marnie Glickman, two daughters and a son
WEBSITE: www.votedavidcurtis.org
PRIORITIES: Wants candidate debates and forums to invite all candidates; opposes top-two primary as detrimental to minor party candidates; supports public financing of campaigns
___
NAME: Alex Padilla
AGE: 41. Born in Los Angeles, March 22, 1973
PARTY: Democratic
EXPERIENCE: State senator representing Los Angeles-area district since 2006, member and president of Los Angeles City Council 2000 to 2006
FAMILY: Wife Angela, two sons
WEBSITE: www.padilla4sofs.com
PRIORITIES: Increasing voter turnout and working with county elections officials; improving business registration; modernizing and enhancing state campaign finance portal
___
NAME: Pete Peterson
AGE: 47. Born in New York City, Nov. 25, 1966
PARTY: Republican
EXPERIENCE: Executive director of the Davenport Institute for Public Participation and Civic Engagement at Pepperdine University since 2010, which evolved from Common Sense California
FAMILY: Wife Gina, one daughter
WEBSITE: www.petesos.com
PRIORITIES: More campaign finance transparency through open data tools; improving business registration; reducing government officials’ roles in ballot initiatives
___
NAME: Dan Schnur
AGE: 50. Born in Milwaukee, Wis., July 31, 1963
PARTY: No party preference
EXPERIENCE: Director of the Jesse Unruh Institute of Politics at the University of Southern California since 2008; chairman of the California Fair Political Practices Commission in 2010 and 2011; Republican strategist for John McCain’s 2000 presidential campaign and spokesman for former Republican Gov. Pete Wilson
FAMILY: Wife Cecile Ablack, adult son and daughter
WEBSITE: www.4schnur.com
PRIORITIES: Advocating for total legislative session fundraising ban and 24-hour contribution disclosure, using position as bully pulpit for good government and ethics reform.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.