Candidate for
Member, Democratic Party County Central Committee; County of Contra Costa; Supervisorial District 3

I presently am a very active participant with the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County. I serve the Central Committee as Owen Jackman's alternate on the Central Committee, and thus regularly attend Central Committee meetings and vote on matters on behalf of Owen. Owen is the Region 3 Director for the California State Democratic Party.

Additionally I work very closely with Central Committee Chair Chuck Carpenter on numerous things, such as events held for elected officials, community organizing events and tasks, volunteer work for President Obama field troops, called Organizing for America (OFA), and fund raising events among others. During the presidential election, I was involved with the Obama Campaign since January 2007, and travelled to Texas as a field captain during the March 2008 primaries.

I serve as a fisheries and water policy specialist for the CCC Central Committee, and routinely present to the Committee on on fisheries management natters affecting the SF Bay-Delta and water related issues and proposed legislation. In this capacity I work very closely with local elected officials assembly women Joan Buchanan (AD 15) and Mariko Yamada (Rio Vista), assemblyman Jared Huffman (Marin, and chair of water parks and recreation committee), senator's Mark DeSaulnie (SD7) and Lois Wolk, and congressman George Miller and John Garamendi. All of these elected officials know me well, and have worked extensively with me on water-related issues affecting our Nor-Cal region.

I recently helped defeat several attempts to eradicate the California striped bass via AB 1253 (fuller) and A 2336 (fuller), having organized massive opposition to these sham bills by fishing groups throughout the state ( including the commercial fishermen associations, professional bass organizations, California Striped Bass Association, California Sportfishing Protection Alliance and others). To combat AB 1253, I produce videos, set up a website called SaveDeltaFish, spoke at the capital with elected officials and fisheries advocates, and lobbied democratic party elected officials to advocate our case for the Striped Bass. This wonderful game fish is a LEGALLY introduced species 130 years ago and has peacefully coexisted with salmon this whole time. It's population in the SF-Bay Delta estuary has plummeted along with all other fish since water diversion by corporate agribusiness interests hit historic highs from 2003-2007 (against established laws passed to protect the estuary).

Additionally, through August 2009 I advocated for a responsible water policy for California, participating in various political events and speaking at the capital. For this purpose I set up a site called Californians Against the Canal. I continue to advocate for the Northern California and a responsible state-wide water policy, and plan on keeping the Democratic Party Central Committee for Contra Costa County (DPCCC) engaged on these issues.

I am a native San Francisco Bay Area resident, having grown up in Walnut Creek. I am an avid fly fisherman and outdoor sports enthusiast. I have two masters' degrees from MIT and work as a consultant in the investment management industry, focusing on commercial real estate and infrastructure investments. A full bio can be viewed at http://www.linkedin.com/in/rjohnsonjr1.

So I ask for your vote !! Please support my candidacy for a formal seat on the DPCCC!!!!