I have been a member of the San Mateo County Democratic Central Committee for over five years. I have served on the Endorsements Committee, which interviews city and county candidates and recommends endorsements to the entire Central Committee. I have also served on the Resolutions Committee, which screens resolutions before they are presented to the Central Committee. During this time, I have promoted open source voting, the divestiture of fossil fuel investments by the California college systems and more.

I have been an environmental activist with the Sierra Club for the last 16 years. I was the chair of the local Sierra Club chapter for four years, and during that time learned a great deal about San Mateo County environmental and political issues. For the last eight years, I have been active on the Sierra Club California Executive Committee and/or Conservation Committee. I am beginning my second year as chair of the California Conservation Committee. I am also the volunteer lead of the Stop Clearcutting California Campaign.

I have been an environmental activist with the Sierra Club for the last 16 years. I was the chair of the local Sierra Club chapter for four years, and during that time learned a great deal about San Mateo County environmental and political issues. For the last eight years, I have been active on the Sierra Club California Executive Committee and/or Conservation Committee. I am beginning my second year as chair of the California Conservation Committee. I am also the volunteer lead of the Stop Clearcutting California Campaign.

Before retiring, I worked 25 years with computer software. My last and longest employer was Intel. I also have a masters in counseling, and Marriage Family Therapy license but have not practiced.

The values that guide my decisions and actions on Central Committee are:

ENVIRONMENT - I am committed to doing whatever we can to diminish the impacts of climate change. We need both to adopt technological solutions such as clean energy and to manage forests and agriculture to maximize carbon sequestration. We need to conserve water and safeguard healthy watersheds since 75% of our water comes from forested watersheds.

HOUSING - I am committed to increasing accessible and affordable housing. Due to the increased costs of buying and renting, many of the people who work in San Mateo County live in the East Bay.

HEALTHCARE – I am committed to everyone having access to affordable healthcare. I would eventually like to see a single payer healthcare system enacted.

ECONOMY- I am committed to building an economy that works for everyone. I support increasing the minimum wage to $15 per hour. People who work 40 hours a week must make a livable wage.

EDUCATION - I am committed to everyone having the opportunity for an education that prepares them for a good job and to be involved citizens. Graduation from junior college should be free to everyone and four-year college graduation should be affordable.

DIVERSITY - I believe that everyone should be treated fairly and have access and the opportunity to have housing, education, healthcare, housing, and jobs. Companies and communities with diverse leaders and members are stronger. Having more women, people of color and LGBT people as leaders improves results.

John Woodell in an active member of the San Mateo County Democratic Central Committee, and he currently serves on the elections integrity committee. Mr. Woodell also serves on the Government Relations Committee for American Red Cross Bay Area, and volunteers as a mentor with Sequoia High School.

A native of Redwood City, I went through my formative years in the school systems, Redwood City Elememtary, Sequoia Union High School District and San Mateo Communty Colloege District. After many years away, I returned to my roots to open J Floral Art in Menlo Park, 26 years ago. In 2008, I was able to marry my partner Craig and we became one of 18,000 couples in limbo while the Marriage Equality issue was decided. We have resided in Redwood City for 15 years and been together for 26. 

I have been active as an political activist for many years. I worked as a volunteer on several state campaigns. I was on the National Board of HRC and traveled to DC to lobby Congress on Marriage Equality, Don't Ask/Don't Tell, DOMA and ENDA. I've been a state delegate serving in Ira Ruskin's district, then for Rich Gordon. I became an elected member of the Central Commttee in 2012, first serving as So. Vice Chair and now as Chair. Also in 2012, I was elected to the National Convention in Charlotte as a delegate for President Obama. I'm the first openly LGBT person to hold this office. I've been instrumental in bringing more diversity and excitement into the county party. I'm working on bringing more input from our communities of color and young democrats. In the past year, we have set some fundraising records on some of our events, and hope to continue that into the general election in the fall.