Dawn Addis
| Candidate Name | Dawn Addis |
| Position Sought | California Assembly, 30th District |
| Website / Social Media | www.DawnAddis.org Facebook:Â addis4centralcoast Instagram:Â @addis4centralcoast |
| Why are you running for office? | I believe we need a leader who will work as hard as the people of the Central Coast do, to protect what we love and get our fair share from Sacramento. I am ready to do that alongside the coalition of teachers, nurses, firefighters, and close to 300 organizations, and elected and community leaders who support me. I am a Councilmember, special education teacher, and mom who will be a champion for the people of San Luis Obispo and the entire Central Coast. Having raised my children in San Luis Obispo County I am committed to protecting the things that make the Central Coast great. We live in one of the best places in the world. The natural beauty is unrivaled and people come from all over the world to visit. This Central Coast is a major contributor to the California economy, but we aren’t getting back what we put in. I will work to change that. |
| What makes you qualified for the job? | I have a strong record of effectively building coalitions and working with others to serve the people. This includes my work as a Morro Bay City Councilmember, being a special education teacher serving families and children in San Luis Coastal Unified School District, and founding the San Luis Obispo Women’s March. I am the only Democrat in the race who has earned the State Democratic Party Endorsement because I built overwhelming grassroots support from Democratic Party leaders across San Luis Obispo, Monterey, and Santa Cruz counties. I am also endorsed by the California Nurses Association, California Professional Firefighters, California Teachers Association, California’s Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, State Controller Betty Yee, and close to 300 organizations, and elected and community leaders (partial list at www.dawnaddis.org). My ability to work well with others, to build trust and to forge relationships are assets that make me an effective leader. I have a strong record of success and my campaign has demonstrated a level of integrity that sets me apart from other candidates pursuing this seat. These qualities will help me get legislation signed into law on behalf of the people of San Luis Obispo County. |
| What are your two main priorities if you win? | Education: As a special education teacher and bilingual educator, I have been working with students on the Central Coast for over two decades. I am honored to be endorsed by the California Teachers Association, the California Faculty Association, the California Federation of Teachers, California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, Retired California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Delaine Eastin, and County Schools Superintendents Dr. James Bresscia and Dr. Faris Sabbah. I look forward to working with these groups and leaders to address the educational needs across our District. We have huge needs across the District including increased preschool access, better special education service delivery, and lowering tuition at the University level. One of the differences communities face across the Central Coast are the varying mechanisms used to fund schools. Such differences can create inequities that we need to address. That said, in all situations we must work harder to make sure students are safe at school and that every student receives a world-class education that will make them college and career ready. I am ready to bring my in-depth knowledge of education to the State Legislature to start cutting red tape and solving the educational problems we face. Housing: Housing – including supportive housing, and first-time home ownership programs – is an urgent issue faced by too many people in the small cities and unincorporated areas that make up the Central Coast. I am proud to have the endorsement of dozens of local Mayors, City Councilmembers, and County Supervisors. If elected I will work with local leaders to increase housing affordability with solutions from the State that meet the needs of local communities. As a Councilmember I have worked with colleagues to effectively move right-sized housing solutions forward. The need to address homelessness and provide housing for all incomes is urgent across the Central Coast. We need a right-sized, localized approach so that we can effectively address the specialized needs and conditions of each community. I am ready to work on behalf of the people of San Luis Obispo County and the entire Central Coast to make sure that all are housed with dignity and allowed to live within the communities where they work. |
| How will you collaborate with other governments? | To deliver results, you need to start with common ground. I believe that a leader’s job is to bring people together around shared interests, find solutions, and deliver results for the people they represent. I’m proud that in my campaign, I have the support of dozens of local Mayors, City Councilmembers, School Trustees, County Supervisors, and local business owners across the Central Coast. I have served in local government as a Morro Bay City Councilmember and as an Appointee to the Morro Bay Citizen’s Finance Advisory Committee. I understand the local need for State collaboration, financing, and regulatory support so that the small towns and rural areas of the Central Coast can improve education, housing, jobs, healthcare, mental health services, and address the climate crisis. As an Assemblymember, I would continue my strong local relationships and prioritize listening to the needs of the people on the Central Coast. This is something I have always done as a teacher and public servant and it’s something I will continue to do. |
| What are the next two issues that are most important to you? | Health Care: I am the proud daughter of a nurse, and the only candidate endorsed by the California Nurses Association and the United Nurses Association of California. I was raised by a single mom because my father suffered from mental health and addiction issues. This experience made me understand deeply that the health care crisis is also a mental health care and addiction crisis. San Luis Obispo County is commonly referred to as a healthcare desert due the distance it takes to get to specialty care (3 hours to Los Angeles or San Jose). We need to increase access to medical care, mental health services, and addiction treatment. We must also lower costs for prescription drugs and overall care, so that every person gets the health care they need. Long-term Water Security: Creating long-term water security, while protecting rate payers, is an urgent need across the Central Coast. As a Councilmember, I have effectively moved forward a long-term water security project while protecting rate-payers from exorbitant costs. I also approved, then expanded, a water utility discount program to help the most impacted ratepayers. Having approved a water project, I understand the state-level resources needed to help communities move forward. If elected to the Assembly I will be a champion for getting needed resources to the Central Coast so that we can address our urgent water needs. |
