Das Williams
Encyclopedia
Das Williams 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.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
currently serving in the California State Assembly
California State Assembly
The California State Assembly is the lower house of the California State Legislature. There are 80 members in the Assembly, representing an approximately equal number of constituents, with each district having a population of at least 420,000...
. He is a Democrat
California Democratic Party
The California Democratic Party is the state branch of the Democratic Party in the state of California, headquartered in Sacramento. It is chaired by veteran Democratic politician and former United States Representative John L. Burton, who succeeded Art Torres in April 2009. It is the majority...
representing the 35th district
California's 35th State Assembly district
California's 35th State Assembly District is one of 80 districts in the California State Assembly. It is currently represented by Democrat Das Williams of Santa Barbara.-District profile:Santa Barbara County - 55.75%*Buellton*Carpinteria*Goleta...
, encompassing parts of Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara County, California
Santa Barbara County is a county located in the southern portion of the U.S. state of California, on the Pacific coast. As of 2010 the county had a population of 423,895. The county seat is Santa Barbara and the largest city is Santa Maria.-History:...
and Ventura
Ventura County, California
Ventura County is a county in the southern part of the U.S. state of California. It is located on California's Pacific coast. It is often referred to as the Gold Coast, and has a reputation of being one of the safest populated places and one of the most affluent places in the country...
counties. Prior to being elected to the state assembly, he was a member of the Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, California
Santa Barbara is the county seat of Santa Barbara County, California, United States. Situated on an east-west trending section of coastline, the longest such section on the West Coast of the United States, the city lies between the steeply-rising Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean...
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.
External links
- Assemblymember Das Williams (official website)
- Das Williams (unofficial website)