Speaker of the California Assembly Nunez Endorses Clinton for President and Will be National Co-Chair

Elected Speaker of the Assembly in 2004 after only two years in that body, he also may be able to help Clinton with those interested in statewide issues. Nunez was the author last year of historic legislation to reduce California’s greenhouse gas emissions, has authored bills to boost funding for alternative energies, and is knee deep health care legislation to provide insurance availability to nearly all Californians. Prior to serving in the Assembly, Nunez was government affairs director of the Los Angeles Unified School District and before that served as political director for the Los Angeles County Labor Federation.

Nunez’s endorsement comes just in time for the California State Democratic Party convention which will be taking place in San Diego starting on Friday and going through the weekend. Over 3,000 delegates will be in attendance along with over 300 credentialed members of the media.

Clinton will be attending as well as all of the other 7 Democratic candidates for President, a situation rare in the state’s experience before moving the presidential primary to February 5, 2008, one of the first in the nation. Nunez was very active in pushing for the primary move along with Senate President pro Tem Don Perata.

Perata is championing a ballot proposition on the February presidential primary ballot, an advisory measure, putting the state’s voters on record in calling for a withdrawal of troops as soon as that can be done in an orderly fashion. Delegates are expected to pass a resolution at the convention putting the state party formally in support of the ballot measure. They will undoubtedly asking the Presidential candidates about their position on this proposition.

"Over her 35 years in public service, Hillary has fought for the issues I care most deeply about—improving education for our children and making health care available to all Americans," Nunez said. "Given her breadth of experience, she is the only candidate who can hit the ground running on her first day in the Oval Office."

Clinton was complimentary in return, saying: "Fabian Nunez has proven himself one of the most capable Assembly Speakers in California’s history. He’s a results-driven leader who works across the aisle to get things done, and I’m honored to have his support."