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Press Release
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Former
State Senator Steve Peace Endorses 80th Assembly Democratic Candidate
Rick Gonzales
Coachella Valley, CA
(April 15, 2008) - Rick Gonzales, 80th Assembly Democratic
candidate, today announced the endorsement of Former State Senator,
Assemblyman, and Finance Director Steve Peace.
“I am
deeply honored to receive the endorsement of Former State Senator, Steve
Peace,” expressed Gonzales “He has devoted his life in public service to
improving education, economic development and healthcare,” continued
Gonzales. “I proudly accept his support and promise to continue to
advocate for better funded schools, affordable and quality healthcare
for all working families and to push for better paying jobs, which
continue to be the issues challenging our communities today.”
“After a long and
careful look at all the candidates and their qualifications, I believe
that Rick Gonzales is the candidate best prepared to lead and represent
the 80th Assembly,” said Former State Senator, Steve Peace.
“Rick has been a longtime advocate of policies and legislation that
support education, healthcare and economic development in the entire
district and especially in the underdeveloped communities of the
Imperial and Coachella Valleys. In addition, as the former Chair of the
State Senate Budget Committee and the State Finance Director, I can
assure you that Rick’s legislative experience and his background in
finance makes him the best candidate to tackle complex budget issues
that face our state.”
Former
State Senator Peace served in the California State Assembly from
1982–1992 and the California Senate from 1993–2002. After being term
limited out of the assembly he was appointed Director of the California
Department of Finance by then governor Gray Davis. During his term,
Peace was known as one of the brightest and most politically savvy
senators in Sacramento. He has earned a reputation as the person the
Legislature turns to on particularly difficult and complex issues. He is
credited with presiding over forums that were "bipartisan, exhaustive
and open to a full airing of views."
After graduating from
San Diego State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political
science, Gonzales followed his father’s example of public service and
moved to Washington, DC, to work with the legislative staff of United
States Senator Edward Kennedy, U.S. Representative Ed Roybal (an early
Latino civil rights pioneer), and U.S. Representative Lucille
Roybal-Allard. He later served as Deputy Director of Legislative
Affairs for Vice President Al Gore.
Following a successful
10-year career in public service in Washington, DC, Gonzales returned
home to earn a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from the
University of Southern California and for the past five years, Rick has
worked at Wells Fargo where he manages investments in affordable housing
apartments throughout the region, including Palm Springs, Coachella, El
Centro and Calexico.
For more information,
please contact Claudia Suarez at (760) 567-4507
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