Susan Jordan Flexes Grassroots Strength, Raises $224,000 for Assembly Campaign

First-time candidate Susan Jordan has once again proven her tremendous grassroots support by raising $224,000 for her campaign for the 35th Assembly District seat in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties.

“I’m honored that hundreds of regular citizens have contributed to my campaign — $10, $25, $50 and some even more,” Jordan noted. “Most of the contributions are local, but I’m also proud that environmentalists and environmental groups from up and down the coast also donated.”

Among her larger contributors are the National Women’s Political Caucus and the Ventura County Deputy Sheriffs’ Association, who each contributed $2,000.

Jordan, who is Executive Director of the non-profit California Coastal Protection Network, is running for the 35th Assembly District against two longtime politicians and perennial candidates: Santa Barbara City Councilmember Das Williams and former Santa Barbara County Supervisor Michael Stoker. Williams has run for three different offices four times in the past six years.

“I’m used to taking on well-oiled political machines and beating them with grassroots efforts,” Jordan said, noting that she has led successful fights against huge corporations including Texas-based oil company Plains Exploration & Production, Co. (PXP)

“They might raise more money, but the voters are tired of politics as usual. I’m raising the money my campaign needs to help get my message out, but I’m also spending time meeting voters. Some of these folks, like my friend, Bonnie — an in-home supportive care worker with a disabled son — desperately need an advocate in Sacramento but can’t possibly make a contribution.”

Almost half of Jordan’s donors contributed $100 or less.

“I’ve been warned to expect that big oil companies will spend big money against me to help my opponents – simply because of my outspoken opposition to the secret PXP oil-drilling deal and my advocacy for an oil severance tax,” Jordan continued. “The voters of Ventura and Santa Barbara counties are too smart to be fooled by the big-money politics.”

Susan Jordan is an award-winning environmental leader, businesswoman, health advocate, mother and former chair of the Santa Barbara County Planning Commission.