EARLY TIMES

John Pinkerton was born in Tempe, Arizona in 1957, but shortly after, his parents returned to Fremont Nebraska, where he grew up and was educated primarily in the Fremont public school system.  John is the proud son of his hard working parents, Tanis and John Raymond Pinkerton Jr., who are life long members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1974 out of Omaha Nebraska.

 John’s four years of high school were spent at Platte Valley Academy, a Seventh-day Adventist boarding school and farm located in Shelton, Nebraska. It was there that he met his future wife Sharon and also met his mentor, surrogate father, and friend, the Dean of Boys, Tom Fowler.

FAMILY

On June 4, 1978, John Pinkerton and Sharon Priest were married in Lincoln, Nebraska. Thirty seven years later, they are the proud parents of Angie, Jackie, and John; and grandparents of eight beautiful grandchildren.

THE DEVELOPMENT OF A PHILOSOPHY

After graduation and during the early years of marriage, John worked at Burger King cleaning six nights a week and worked odd jobs by day to make ends meet.

When first arriving in California, the Pinkertons lived with relatives to save money toward their first apartment. John worked in security and Sharon worked as an electronic assembler. When their apartment was not available as scheduled, they lived in their car for a few weeks.

EDUCATION

The Pinkertons’ employers had a program that paid for books and tuition for De Anza Community College, and they both studied there for a year, then continued their studies in Keene, Texas at Southwestern Adventist College. John graduated in1984 with a teaching credential, and later earned a master’s degree from Cal State San Bernardino.

During those years the young family attended the Loma Linda University SDA church and the children attended Loma Linda Academy.

EXPERIENCE

In 1992 the Pinkertons began construction of their home in the high desert. Approved by all agencies, it is the first of its kind in California. The home integrates used automobile tires in the construction as a foundation member and for insulating purposes. “Ark II” attracted ridicule at first, and then respect and imitation.

In 1996, John and Sharon decided to swim upstream again by challenging Barbara Boxer for the U.S. Senate in the 1998 election. Even with no name recognition, budget, or party endorsement, John’s clear, moderate message gained him unexpected support.

In 1999 John began work as a substitute teacher and was later hired full time as an In-School Suspension teacher at Silverado High School. In February 2003, he began his career as a counselor at Silverado, which has continued to the present.

In 2012 John was elected to serve on the Victor Valley Community College Board of Trustees. Currently he is serving as President of the Board.

I currently serve as a counselor at Silverado High School, where I have been employed since 1999. My experience there has helped me define the qualifications that I can bring to the 8^th district congressional seat.  The issues facing young people and their parents are the same as they are for the rest of Americans, education and jobs.  Washington needs people who understand the needs of individuals, not corporations or special interests, but every day ordinary Americans.  I believe, a good job is a good start to a good life, and that my strength is in working with others of different opinions, parties and beliefs to get results.

Our future is in our hands. To have the government we insist on, it is up to each of us to let our representatives know what we expect. If you send me to Washington, I will listen to your concerns. I will work to earn your trust. I will never lie to you.

This is a time to come together.  This is no time to attack time honored institutions like public education and public servants who have given their time, energy, and even their lives, as is too often the case for our warriors, police, firefighters, and others who protect us from harm.

If elected to Congress, I will do everything in my power to support ALL American workers and their families.  I will NEVER forget that a good job is a good start to a good life.  In Congress, I will work toward sensible, moderate government that benefits everyone, not just special interests. I will always put your needs first.  

An old proverb says that “tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare for it today.” If you believe, as I do, that our strength lies in both our unity and our diversity, and that our future lies in building bridges instead of burning them, then I ask for your support in the upcoming election.