Peter Thottam - State Assembly

Background:

Peter Thottam is a progressive attorney, longtime community activist and organizer, and prospective 2010 California State Assembly Candidate. Mr. Thottam was the founder and Executive Director of the Los Angeles National Impeachment Center and has been a long-time activist in the Impeachment and Anti-War movements. Peter received his undergraduate degree with honors from Yale University where he majored in both (1) Economics and (2) Ethics, Government & Philosophy. In addition to a law degree from UC Berkeley's Boalt School of Law, Mr. Thottam has an MBA from the UCLA Anderson School of Business. A longtime activist, Peter was so appalled at the deteriorating media coverage in the USA and so convinced that a tragic and mistaken war with Iraq was pending that he resigned from his job as a Los Angeles Corporate Attorney in 2002 in order to focus exclusively on his antiwar work with various antiwar and progressive groups. Peter spent over two years completely dedicated to organizing marches, teach-ins and political lobbying efforts in Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York and working actively with Progressive Democrats, with Interfaith Communities United for Justice and Peace and numerous other progressive organizations.

Born in Africa and coming from an Indian background, Mr. Thottam is also fluent in Spanish. He believes it is critical for Americans everywhere to become much more involved politically, informed, engaged and pro-active citizens. He is working with a range of progressive groups focused on helping internationalize American citizens' poltiical consciousness and their awareness of local as well as global economic and environmental problems. He has traveled extensively in Europe, Mexico, the Middle East (Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi/Dubai) and throughout Africa (Mali, Ethiopia), India, China and Japan.

Goals:

Machine politics must end. Unlike the other candidates, I am a real progressive and street activist (since 2002) who will fight rather than be beholden to any special interests. Unlike the other candidates I have never worked for trial lawyers or real estate developers. My campaign team is entirely grassroots. As a result, I am absolutely not part of the Sacramento 'Old-Boys' network. Instead, I am accountable to you only and have the freedom to do the right thing and to truly work for you and your interests. I am a fiercely anti-establishment long-time 53rd District resident who plans to passionately fight for you, your rights, your economic future and the future of those you care about. I want -- among other things -- real transparency and accountability for traffic issues, graffitii removal programs and Sidewalks, Roads & Works infrastructure improvements throughout the 53rd district.

Issues:

My campaign is focused on the below top three issues:

(1) JOB GROWTH: Immediately increase manufacturing and service sector jobs;
(2) Real reforms & overhauls -- leveraging technology and the Internet -- in healthcare, public education and state banking oversight;
(3) A comprehensive statewide fiscal overhaul redoubling efforts to eliminate rampant waste, inefficiency and corruption in California's government;
(4) Transparency and accountability for traffic issues, graffitii removal programs and Sidewalks, Roads & Works infrastructure improvements throughout the 53rd district.

Grassroots Support:

The Grassroots will be absolutely be pivotal in my campaign. They are the campaign. I am asking you to work with me -- to fight alongside my AD53 campaign team -- in order to completely transform, modernize and reinvent local and state politics and create long-term sustainable economic and job growth. I would be privileged and honored to have the opportunity to serve you and the people of the 53rd District in the California State Assembly. This site is designed to help you learn more about me, my candidate goals and the work I plan to do on your behalf. I am ALWAYS happy to hear from voters and Grassroots activists about State-related matters including your experiences with State agencies, ideas for new legislation, etc.

DFA Values:

My whole life since 2002 -- when I quit my job as a corporate attorney -- to focus exclusively on progressive causes and the anti-war movement that was then budding and that I had joined that summer. The Democratic primary for AD53 is June 8, 2010. I am asking for your support to end party 'machine' politics and to change the status quo. My goal is to represent you (NOT Big Business or trial lawyers), to bring fiscal discipline to Sacramento, to be completely accessible, and to work diligently for you & the residents of the 53rd District. I want to be your voice for modernization, progress and real reform in Sacramento. We need to invest now in technology, in more efficient, innovative and accountable public services (e.g., public education), in renewable energy and in creating more jobs in the district. I hope you will consider supporting me in the AD53 June 8, 2010 Primary and help spread the word of my candidacy.