Vacaville Reporter

Yamada says Yolo work will help her in capitol
By Danny Bernardini
05/06/2008 06:07:07 AM PDT

When members of the same party are pitted against each other in primaries, the campaigning often can get ugly.

And even though Mariko Yamada said there are major differences between the Democratic candidates for the District 8 Assembly seat, she said the race has remained amicable. She said this primary has focused on one thing: a choice between two points of view.

"That's what the primary is about, to provide voters a choice. I'm 'pro-choice,' in that I think a choice is good. It provides an opportunity of healthy policy debate," Yamada said. "Everything has been pretty polite. People are going to be looking at us as individuals."

Yamada, currently a Yolo County supervisor, said unlike her opponent, West Sacramento Mayor Chris Cabaldon, working at the county level has prepared her for regulations and budget issues that come with dealing with the state.

"We are the level of government that does it all," she said. "(County government) has requirements to take care of the poor, the mentally ill and those with no other means. No other level of government is required to do that."

Working with the underrepresented is something Yamada said comes easy, as her profession as a social worker allowed her to do just that. She said walking her precinct and going door-to-door has allowed her once again to speak to those who often don't have a voice.

And while dealing with the different types of both landscape and people within the district, Yamada said the diverse area has both similarities and differences. She said transportation, housing and economic hardships are issues that affect all areas.

"In a district that has 10 separate and distinct cities, I've certainly learned a lot," she said. "We have some commonality that will draw us together."

Citing health-care reform as her number one priority, she said programs for elder care are seriously lacking. She also mentioned the need to address autism and Alzheimer's disease. With the numbers of those cases steadily rising, Yamada said the state soon will need to take steps to help those affected.

"They are huge problems that you can speculate about the reasons, but I'm not a scientist," she said. "While the greater minds try to find the cause for the explosion, I need to position the state to address the incredible service needs this population will need."

If nothing else, Yamada said, a vote for her will ensure someone who is true to her word is elected.

"I may not have all the answers, but I will always do what I say I will do," she said. "You want to make people feel they have a reason to trust and rely on the word that is given."

Mariko Yamada
Age: 57
Residence: Davis
Occupation: Yolo County supervisor
Experience: Supervisor
Education: BA in psychology from the University of Colorado, Boulder; USC grad school, masters in social work
Endorsements: Former California Treasurer Phil Angelides, former Superintendent of Public Institution Delaine Eastin, California Teachers Association, California Nurses Association, California Professional Firefighters