The two Democrats both boast impressive political careers and similar ideals for the state Senate. However, we are giving the edge to Lempert. He’s arguably better on the environment and education, the two most vital issues for people in District 11; and he promises a fresh start in a legislature humbled by the economy, Gov. Gray Davis and its own actions.
Lempert, 42, also brings youth along with eight years in the State Assembly (1992-2000).
A father of young children himself, Lempert has personal motivation to make our schools better. He’s been so passionate about bettering education that he started his own non-profit, EdVoice, to lobby for more schools funding. His environmental record is endorsed by outgoing Sen. Byron Sher and the Sierra Club.
Simitian, 51, has earned high marks through the years while serving as a member of the Palo Alto school board, Palo Alto mayor, Santa Clara County supervisor and a two-term member of the Assembly. While in the Assembly, he joined the campaign to stop the governor from taking away basic aid funding from local high schools.
But Simitian also seems sidetracked on trivial issues that take away from the big two, education and the environment. We like the fact that he seems to be everywhere at once, holding office hours in Los Altos and putting forth the image of being in touch with his constituents.
But we wonder how much is just plain public relations, simply geared to the goal of getting elected to the next level.
We appreciate Lempert’s ideals on limited campaign financing. He stopped spending at $637,000 under Proposition 34, saying that amount was plenty to run a campaign.
We don’t buy Simitian’s argument that the amount is not enough because the district area is so vast.
Although he is relatively young, Lempert is savvy and persuasive, as his colleagues found out during his time in the Assembly.
He worked effectively with Republican legislators on forging compromises and crafting effective legislation, such as the Coastal Sanctuary Act to prevent oil drilling off the California coast.
One caution for Lempert: He is quick to point out that California is 46th out of 50 states in money spent per student (when factoring in the state’s cost of living). But we’re a little concerned by his assertion that more money is the chief solution to our state’s education problems.
The system needs more money, yes, but for direct benefit in the classroom, not to pay back education groups that endorsed his campaign. We’ll be watching, Mr. Lempert.
