Meet Jotham Stein, Candidate For CA Congress

Jotham Stein is vying to represent California's 16th Congressional District.

Voters in the congressional district, which spans portions of San Mateo and Santa Clara counties, will receive ballots by May 4. This district stretches from the coastal areas of Pacifica and Half Moon Bay south through Silicon Valley.

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A significant change under the new Proposition 50 map is the inclusion of Pacifica, a coastal city previously located in District 15.

Learn more about Stein’s goals for the region:

Educational background: JD, Stanford Law School; A.B. Princeton University.

Professional background: Attorney and Small Businessperson with offices in Palo Alto.

Age: 64

Why are you seeking a seat in Congress?

I’m running for Congress as an Independent to try and do my little part to fix America, to bridge our country’s partisan divide, the divide between politicians who have lost touch with us and who no longer talk sense to each other, the divide between left and right, the divide between Democrats and Republicans, to bridge the divide that is slowly, but surely, eating away at our country. As an Independent, I don't need to defer to any party. I'll work every day to put “we the people” first, to bridge the partisan divide, to look out for America, and yes, to compromise. A healthy democracy requires reasonable compromise.

What do you think are the top three issues for voters in this election, and how do you plan to address them?

1. BRIDGING THE PARTISAN DIVIDE HURTING OUR COUNTRY: Shame on both parties for endlessly fighting with each other and making a mess of our country. Shame on both parties for shutting down the government causing 41 million of our neighbors to go hungry, for failing to fix Social Security and health care, for ballooning our national debt, for so much more.

Worried about America’s direction? Let’s work together to change America’s trajectory. But let’s also recognize that we are part of the problem. Repeatedly, we vote for the same two billionaire-financed parties and their I’ll-do-anything-to-get-elected candidates. I am offering you an opportunity to change that!

There are 435 members of the House of Representatives, but not one is truly Independent. That’s no way to bridge the partisan divide in our country, a nation overflowing with reasonable citizens. As an Independent, I will work with everyone to put “we the people” first, to bridge the partisan divide, to look out for America.

2. WORKING WITH EVERYONE TO FIX OUR EVERYDAY PROBLEMS: Inflation, healthcare, a ballooning national debt, Social Security and so much more need to be fixed so we can all enjoy a better life. As just one example of what I'll do and how I'll work, I have a three-part plan to fix Social Security (keeping it solvent and paying full benefits for 75+ years), and at the same time, create a minimum basic benefit for all (see VoteStein.com for details). But, as an Independent, I'm willing to work with everyone and revise my plan (or adopt a better plan if a better one exists), as long as we fix Social Security.

3. ENDING GERRYMANDERING & PROTECTING OUR DEMOCRACY: It’s wrong that the two parties are gerrymandering our country for themselves, dividing up America between Democrats and Republicans so only they can win. Gerrymandering, big money in politics, special interest groups, members of Congress who stay forever, and a Supreme Court we no longer trust are putting our democracy at risk. Let’s work together to end gerrymandering nationwide, enact term limits for Congress, reign in special interest groups, restore our faith in the Supreme Court and pass campaign finance reform, getting big money out of politics. See VoteStein.com for details of five Constitutional Amendments to protect our democracy I'll propose in my first two weeks in office.

Why are you a better choice than your opponents?

We deserve Representatives who will look out for all of us.

I’m an Independent who will work with everyone to look out for all of us. As an Independent, I don't need to defer to any party. I'll work every day to put “we the people” first, to bridge the partisan divide, to look out for America, and yes, to compromise to get something positive done for all of us.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I've lived and worked in our Congressional District for decades. I’m a Stanford Law graduate with 30 years’ experience representing individuals to ensure they don’t get taken advantage of and wrote a book on negotiation, explaining how to protect yourself. I'll use my 30 years of negotiating skills as an Independent Representative to work with everyone, to put “we the people” first, to start bridging our country’s partisan divide, to look out for all of us.

I spent 5+ years as a Board member of Coastside Hope, a San Mateo County core public service agency, a non-profit providing food, rental assistance, and support to the neighbors in our community.

When I’m not caring for people, I care for our environment. I’ve dug up lots of invasive plants over the years for Coastside Land Trust, helping protect our environment.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No one holds elective office.

Have you ever held a public office, whether appointive or elective?

No

Is there anything else you would like voters to know?

To learn more about my plans to fix America, visit www.VoteStein.com. Let’s start bridging our country’s partisan divide. It won’t be easy, the road to fixing America is long, but I’ll stand proudly Independent, grateful to represent you.

Stein For Congress