Assemblyman Jerry Hill was in Pacifica Thursday to speak with supporters and collect contributions for his campaign to clinch a newly created Senate seat.
Hill is an old friend to many of the Pacifica residents who came to the event at near Park Mall, including local business, school and government leaders. He gave a short speech, reminding them how often he visits, and likes, Pacifica.
"This is such an uncommon city, so special, it really is," he said. "There are so many great, quality people and schools, and an excellent city council."
He also spoke at length about his work to improve oversight of PG&E after the San Bruno gas pipeline explosion in 2010 and his focus on making the company pay for the damages and the devastation it caused.
"PG&E will pay the price, and I will continue to make regulatory changes [in the Senate]," he said.
He said he's always been a staunch supporter of keeping the a golf course, and that he will continue to do that as a Senator. He'll also continue to support funding and preservation of the as he has in the past, he said.
But what is his vision for the future of Pacifica?
Well, he'd like to see a sturdy economic base here.
"A good economic base with redevelopment--and I sit on the [Assembly] committee that's working to create new redevelopment agencies--will allow [Pacifica] to have the ability to build the infrastructure for economic redevelopment and give it the wealth it wants to do what it wants to do."
The Senate seat he's bidding for arguably marks an increase in San Mateo County's clout in the state Senate.
Before June, 2011, the Peninsula was represented by Sen. Leland Yee and Sen. Joe Simitian, primarily from and for San Francisco and Santa Clara County, respectively. Now, however, state redistricting separated much of San Mateo County and a portion of Santa Clara County from San Francisco County and greater Santa Clara, giving the Peninsula an extra Senate seat.
Hill emphasizes his all-San Mateo County background in his campaign rhetoric.
"I have a proven track record of delivering results for the Peninsula," his Senate campaign website reads. "I've helped bring jobs to the region, forced utilities and regulators to improve gas pipeline safety, expanded health insurance to every child in San Mateo County, fought to preserve thousands of acres of open space, set tough limits on air pollution, and saved the state millions of dollars through increased efficiency."
In his biography on the website, he notes that he's been living on the Peninsula for the last 42 years and has spent 20 of those in the public sector.
So why does Hill want to make the switch to the Senate?
"It's easier to get things done [in the Senate]," he said. "There are fewer members and it's a little bit more of a deliberative body."
Mary Brown, a who co-organized the event on Thursday with Partners Mortgage President , said she likes Hill for Senate because he's moderate.
"He's a really well balanced guy," she said. "I've never found him to be an extremist in any way, and I can't say that about a lot of other legislators."
Bernie Sifry, a Pacifica resident who attended the event, said he's for Hill because as an Assemblyman, he's present and seems to care.
"Compared to his predecessor, he's noticeable, takes an interest and is involved," Sifry said.
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