Commentary: A Democratic option in the 37th District Senate race

I became fired up when I received my sample ballot in the mail and saw that we had only Republicans running in the special election for the 37th District. I joined the race as a write-in candidate because I want to give Democrats and all other voters a better choice for state Senate.

The GOP may have an advantage in voter registration, but it is all about who turns out to vote. My grass-roots cyber campaign is going viral to get people out to vote for me.

I am a registered nurse and small-business owner with an associate degree in nursing and a bachelor’s degree in business. I work as an independent contractor nurse at several outpatient surgery centers.

I am an elected member of the Democratic Party of Orange County Central Committee and past vice president of the West Orange County E-Board. I am also a member of the Democratic Club of West Orange and Democracy for America, and I serve as treasurer for Healthcare for All, Orange County.

I have volunteered on many political campaigns and for nonprofit organizations, including Share Our Selves and Childs-pace Foundation Inc. I have lived in Orange County since 1980 and raised four sons here.

As a nurse and mother, I am passionate about community, families and the environment, and if elected, would fight for those who are under-represented in the public arena and for policies that benefit families and all communities. We need leaders committed to make Orange County and all of California a better place for our children and grandchildren.

My priorities include:

• Universal, single-payer healthcare, which research shows would save the state money.

• Fully funded, high-quality preschool for all children, which would provide experiences that ensure success in school.

• Infrastructure projects, which would support economic growth, generate revenue and create good jobs.

• Addressing the water crisis through environmentally sustainable practices, including water reclamation, which would create jobs and increase tax revenue.

• A living wage and equal pay for all, which would strengthen families and communities and increase revenue, economic growth and public safety.

Nurse LOUISE STEWARDSON is a write-in candidate for state Senate in the 37th District.