Shawn Kumagai: Candidate for Assembly Seat
Shawn Kumagai
Shawn Kumagai is hoping his time spent with voters in Castro Valley and the Eden Area will pay dividends when it comes to gaining the California State Assembly District 20 seat. The current Dublin City Councilmember says he is the best equipped among the candidates because of his years of service to the country as well as the Bay Area.
“I’m the only candidate who has actual elected official experience,” Kumagai told the Forum. “I will know how to get things done in Sacramento on Day One, and I will have the support of my peers and community.”
Kumagai has 20 years of Navy experience and is currently serving in the Navy Reserves assigned to an intelligence unit at Camp Parks in Dublin. He’s also the first openly gay City Councilmember elected in Dublin. He cites his passion for service from his work as the district director for Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan (AD16) but most importantly, his family.
“My mother and grandfather both served in the armed forces, which taught me a lot about how government programs can work and what needs to be fixed,” Kumagai said. “I recall watching my family struggle with the same kitchen-table issues that everyone else is worrying about today.”
State Assembly District 20 is currently occupied by Bill Quirk. Quirk announced his retirement last year. District 20 covers all of Hayward, Castro Valley, Ashland, Cherryland, San Lorenzo, Fairview, and Union City, and parts of San Leandro, Fremont, Dublin, and Pleasanton.
Kumagai’s 7-part plan for helping families in the area includes improving housing affordability, increasing permanent funding for schools, and taking more action toward renewable energy sources. Lately, he has been making rounds with various Chamber of Commerce members and other community groups in town to listen to their concerns.
“We need to re-imagine what we used to call local redevelopment funding,” Kumagai said. “In that way, we can attract more small businesses and light manufacturing companies which are revenue generators for the community.”
One area that Kumagai says could be a model for the rest of the District is the mental health services that are embedded in Castro Valley schools.
“I like what Castro Valley and Dublin High Schools are doing with their Wellness Centers,” Kumagai said. “It’s important to address the changes that young people are going through and we have to do it with well-resourced staff and services.”
Kumagai says he also supports more funding for mental health response teams such as the ones outlined in California Assembly Bill 988 (AB988) which calls for a new cell phone fee to pay for a service like 911 that people can call to get mental health services.
Kumagai’s other platform goals include support for service members, veterans, and their families by increasing resources to address veteran homelessness, addiction, and mental health. He notes he’ll fight for quality and affordable health care, child care, and college for families. He says he’ll champion small businesses, cut red tape and taxes, and get them the relief they need.
Additionally, Kumagai notes his background in military intelligence would be an asset to prioritizing public safety while ensuring there is meaningful criminal justice reform. He says he also would enforce zero tolerance for racism and anti-Asian hate.
Kumagai will be taking part in an open forum this coming Monday at the Chabot Theater along with three other candidates for State Assembly District 20.