Das Williams

Das Williams
Member of the California State Assembly from the 35th district
Incumbent
Assumed office December 6, 2010
Preceded by	Pedro Nava
Santa Barbara City Councillor
In office December 4, 2002 – December 6, 2010
Personal details
Born	June 29, 1974 (1974-06-29) (age 37) Alaska
Nationality	American
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Jonnie Erika Williams
Residence	Santa Barbara, California
Alma mater	University of California, Santa Barbara
Profession	Community organizer
Website	[1]

Das Williams (born June 29, 1974)^[1] is an American politician currently serving in the California State Assembly. He is a Democrat representing the 35th district, encompassing parts of Santa Barbara and Ventura counties. Prior to being elected to the state assembly, he was a member of the Santa Barbara City Council.

Assemblymember Das Williams was elected in November 2010 and represents the 35th Assembly District, which includes over half of the County of Santa Barbara, as well as nearly a quarter of the County of Ventura.

Williams previously served as a member of the Santa Barbara City Council, a position to which he was elected in 2003. Williams led the successful efforts to expand alternative energy produced by the city to ensure that 34% of the city’s energy comes from renewable sources by 2012. Already a “green” city, he worked to continue Santa Barbara’s commitment to environmental activism by fighting to preserve open space, and keep oil wells out of coastal waters. This is in addition to his longstanding efforts to expand public transit to reduce traffic and pollution.

His years of experience at the local level give him insight that he is applying at the state level to solve similar problems. For example—despite budget cuts—Williams was able to craft a solution for local schools to avoid layoffs and expand crucial after-school programs. Further, he helped to balance the city budget without cutting vital city services, like police and firefighters, and protecting middle class jobs.

In addition to his service on the Santa Barbara City Council, Williams has been an active participant in numerous community endeavors. He served for years as a community organizer for CAUSE, a Ventura based non-profit, and headed the group’s efforts to stop a proposed big-box retail development in Ventura. Always the education advocate, Williams also served as a Trustee of Peabody Charter School. Until his election, Williams served as a national board member of the National Organization for Women (NOW), and taught at Antioch University in Santa Barbara.

Prior to his public service, Mr. Williams worked as a junior high school teacher, as well as a legislative aide to California State Assemblymember Hannah Beth Jackson, also of District 35.

Williams holds a Master’s degree in Environmental Science & Management, with a focus on water pollution, planning processes, and land-use law at UC Santa Barbara’s Bren School of Environmental Science.

In the Assembly, Mr. Williams is focused on reforming the state budget process, ensuring that California children have access to a world class education, fixing the state’s dysfunctional healthcare system, and protecting the environment, primarily through reducing our state’s reliance on oil and coal.

Among Das' favorite activities is surfing, reading, dancing and enjoying the outdoors.

References

1. ^ Assembly Member Das Williams of California

External links

• Assemblymember Das Williams (official website)
• Das Williams (unofficial website)

California Assembly
Preceded by Pedro Nava	Member of the California State Assembly 35th District December 6, 2010 – present	Incumbent

Persondata
Name	Williams, Das
Alternative names
Short description	Member of California State Assembly
Date of birth	June 29, 1974
Place of birth	Alaska
Date of death
Place of death