Comite Central del Condado, Distrito 77 — Partido Democráta del Condado de San Diego

Although born in the Chicago area, I went to primary and secondary school in rural Michigan.  In 1968, half way through my undergraduate education, I entered the military.  I married my wife, Linda, and returned to Michigan after the military to finish my B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. at Michigan State University in Physics.  Most of my career was spent in the aerospace industry developing means to exploit data and develop information.  In 1994, I started a small company to develop technology to control irrigation, conserving more than 30% of water usage.  However, the economics of agriculture at that time led me back into aerospace in 1998.  My wife has been a registered nurse for 40 plus years, the last 26 at Pomerado Hospital.  Our oldest daughter is a cancer researcher at the Curie Institute.  Our younger daughter is a clinical social worker specializing in mental health at Mental Health America in Long Beach.

Despite having a bent towards the sciences, growing up in rural michigan without access to medical or dental healthcare, or other services, made me appreciate the implicit advantages of  higher socio-economic strata – reading the definition of an engineer or lawyer doesn't mean you understand the implications of a career in those fields.  I was lucky.  In 1968, I found myself working as a night auditor/clerk in the hotel politicians frequented across the street from Michigan's capitol building.  I met all the presidential candidates as they visited that year, but I was fortunate to have many conversations with a lobbyist, Dale Kildee, who went on to become a state legislator and congressman.  Because the national convention of the SDS was held at Michigan State University in June of 1968, I was introduced to the power of activism.  Although focused on a career, I found time to do some work for Tom Sawyer, a congressman from Akron, Ohio, in the 80s.  I have been more active the past 10 years, driven by my background to focus on healthcare policy, income and wealth inequality, and finding candidates who start in the trenches and appreciate the requirement to get things done.  Being on the Central Committee of the Democratic Party is an important leadership role.  Continuing my membership will enable me to advocate for these important issues.

Throughout my life I have tried, sometimes failing, to stand for humane values and non-coercive social relations. Currently I work full time as a licensed clinical psychologist for a medical corporation, and additionally I am a contract psychologist for a torture treatment center--I run the men's group. My master's degree from a liberal theological seminary and my doctorate from an "international" university helped equip me with understandings, techniques and goals that lead to my candidacy. 

Since 1994, I have served the San Diego County Democratic Central Committee and the California Democratic Party Central Committee as an elected or alternate member. I am a longtime member of the Women's; Caucus, the LGBT Caucus, the Children's Caucus, and the Disabilities Caucus. I ran for state assembly in 1998. 

Always against totalitarian approaches, I especially rejoice in triumphs over ignorance, enslavement, other cruelties, and in triumphs over abuses of power in families, organizations and governments. 

Ryan Trabuco was unanimously re-elected to an unprecedented fourth term as President of Clairemont Town Council in November 2015. The Clairemont Town Council works to promote the civic, commercial, educational, and cultural activities of Clairemont — San Diego’s largest neighborhood with 76,000 residents.

As an active member of the Democratic Party, he serves as the Information Technology (IT) Chair of the Clairemont Democratic Club, as well as Vice President for Resource Development of the San Diego County Democrats for Equality. He serves as a delegate to the California Democratic Party, and as an Ex-Officio member of the San Diego County Democratic Party’s Central Committee representing the 77th Assembly District.

Over the last two years, I have been an Ex-Officio member of our Central Committee. During that time, legislative resolutions have come up for a vote on occasion, and I am proud to have supported those calling for a minimum wage increase, environmental protections, increased funding for public transit, respect for our local community planning process, and automatic voter registration.

Current Political Volunteer Positions:

- Grassroots Organizing (GO) Team Community Coordinator for Rancho Bernardo as well as the Regional Coordinator for all of the North Inland region for the San Diego County Democratic Party.

- Vice President of the Rancho Bernardo Democratic Club

- California State Delegate (ADEM) for the 77th Assembly District

Other Volunteer Positions:

- Elected Member of the Rancho Bernardo Community Council

- Area Director for multiple Toastmasters Clubs serving the Rancho Bernardo and Poway regions

I have been a software engineer for 31 years. I have lived in the 77th Assembly District for 29 years, including the Scripps Ranch, Carmel Mountain, and Rancho Bernardo communities, where I have raised my daughter. I am a lifelong Democrat who has voted in every election since 1980 (including Jimmy Carter for president). I have no agenda other than getting great Democrats elected for every race on the ballot, and for promoting strong Democratic values within our community. 

For many years, my contribution to the political process was simply to vote in every election. Then, after seeing Sarah Palin's loathsome speech in 2008, I was finally motivated to get off my couch and volunteer. I worked as a precinct leader for the county party's Grassroot's Organizing (GO) Team as a precinct leader and travelled to Nevada to work for the Obama campaign that election, and have been steadfastly volunteering for many campaigns and for the Democratic Party since then. My goals are simply to get the best candidates endorsed and elected and to promote the Democratic values that we all hold dear: higher minimum wages, an end to income inequality, a solution to climate change, strengthening our labor unions, and equality for all women, minorities, and for LGBT individuals.

The president of San Diego County Democrats for Environmental Action and a California Democratic Party delegate in the 77th Assembly District (AD-77), Tommy is a career broadcaster and an active environmentalist, and a booster of California State Parks and National Parks. The morning host at 91X radio in San Diego, Tommy spent 10 years on the air at crosstown FM 94/9, and has worked as a news editor and communications professional for political and environmental clients, including the San Diego County Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation. An associate member of the San Diego County Democratic Party Central Committee, he is running for a full seat in the June 7, 2016 primary election in AD-77.

I support the platform of the California Democratic Party promoting equality, fairness and prosperity, and the fight for $15 so Californians can work with dignity toward tangible financial goals, ably attend school, and make a better life for themselves and their families. I oppose urban development in rural San Diego County in accordance with the guidelines laid out in the county's 30-year general plan, and call for at least 10 more fire stations to be built in the city of San Diego so it is on par with other fire-prone California communities. I strongly support rooftop solar, the statewide ban on single-use plastic bags, the implementation of the city of San Diego's climate action plan, and a functional, regional fire protection system that focuses on the entire fire risk equation. I also support aggressive litter pickup in all communities, especially the city of San Diego. As a base level of civic pride, litter and trash have no place in our parks or along our streets and freeways.

I am a resident of the 77 Assembly District for more than 20 years.  I have worked both for the Court and the County of San Diego helping San Diego residents. As a Community Coordinator for the Democratic Party's Go Team, I believe it is important to spread the word regarding Democratic candidates and important initiatives, which I have done by canvassing local neighborhoods. I am married with two children. 

My name is Jason Bercovitch.  My political passion is a government of the people, by the people, and for the people.  Protecting the environment, access to affordable education, reducing income inequality, and immigration reform are some key issues that I consider critical to a better future.

I graduated from Rancho Bernardo High School in 2003.  I then went to the University of California, Riverside where I graduated with a major in Business Economics and a minor in Political Science.  Upon graduating, I worked at various different banks learning the intricacies of our financial system.  My expertise is in finance and accounting.

I am an active member of both the Black Mountain Democratic Club and the Poway Democratic Club.  I have worked as a poll worker since 2003.  I have volunteered at the Senior Center downtown, helped clean up our beaches, and collected food and other donations for our homeless.

I would be honored by your vote for Jason Bercovitch to be a delegate representing Assembly District 77.  Thank you.