As a longtime teacher and third-generation union member, I'm proud to be a voice for working families. In Sacramento I will safeguard hard-won rights like collective bargaining while fighting for everything from fair contracts to worker safety.

As a teacher at Santa Clara High School, I belong to both the California Teachers Association and the United Teachers of Santa Clara, where I also served as a union rep. In my races for City Council, I have enjoyed the South Bay Labor Council's sole endorsement.

My record on the City Council includes:

• Leading the fight in making sure our convention center hires local, union employees.
• Helping ensure dignified compensation and retirement for city employees. Our public safety officers, for example, are among the best-paid in the state.
• Supporting Santa Clara's status as a prevailing-wage city.
• Spearheading the first Santa Clara County resolution against California Prop. 76, which would have privatized pensions for public employees.
• Leading citywide delegations to halt union-busting practices, and joining picket lines with working families.

As your Assembly Member, I will continue to champion working families, protecting and expanding their rights in both good and bad economic times.

* Affiliation listed for identification purposes only.