In 2019, I became the first Asian woman to serve on the San Mateo City Council. Despite incredible opposition and being outspent by special interest lobbies, we won the largest election in our history. Grassroots community power was key to my historic victory as the first Asian woman elected as mayor of San Mateo.
This year we can make history again by electing Charles Hansen as the first Black man to serve on the San Mateo City Council.
These five years, we have celebrated momentous victories: raising $9.8 million to enhance critical services, saving 600 jobs and creating lifelines for businesses during the pandemic, building the largest affordable housing project, investing in sustainable infrastructure to protect us from flooding and sea level rise, safeguarding democratic systems through campaign finance and charter reforms, empowering youth representation, and raising the Pride flag at City Hall for the first time. However, our progress is under constant threat and we must stay committed to critical housing and infrastructure initiatives, bold climate action, and empowering new generations of leadership.
On #Juneteenth, Charles Hansen declared his candidacy. With over two decades of nonprofit leadership, he has built successful YMCA and Boys and Girls Club programs nationwide. As Chief Program Officer at Peninsula Family Service, he is directly supporting our working families and seniors. Charles Hansen is a loving father, supportive husband, and servant leader who inspires progress and unity.
We need authentic community leaders in City Hall who understand us and will fight for us, not politicians clinging to power.
We cannot allow the status quo to hinder true representation for our City and District 2. As we grapple with profound systemic inequalities, it is unacceptable that in 130 years, our City has never elected a Black man to the City Council. If not now, when?
We will write our history this November, embracing solidarity and true representation. Together we will win another historic victory for San Mateo, please join me in supporting Charles Hansen for San Mateo City Council in 2024.
Amourence Lee
City Councilwoman & Former Mayor
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