We have about eight days left to gather signatures to get on the ballot. The last word I had from the Secretary Of State's office had us at 621 verified signatures. I have over 200 waiting to be turned in, but because of the Kincaid fire and the power shut offs, I have been unable to get to turn in any of what I have. Further complicating matters, the shut offs and evacuation warnings and smoke in the air have left people in a panic. It is extremely difficult to collect signatures under such conditions. 

At home, my power is still off from the last shut off, with the next shut off already upon us. It looks like we aren't getting our power back any time soon, which causes my presence at home to be needed as well. Assuming that our house is included in this next event, that makes three shut offs that have made gathering signatures extremely difficult, not to mention a small hillside fire in American Canyon, where I live. When the air is smoky, though, no one wants to stop and talk politics. 

It is clear that with only eight days remaining, the power is still off and the air is filled with smoke, we aren't going to meet 2000 signatures. That means we're going to have to raise some money to make up the difference, and the sooner we face that reality, the better chance we have of succeeding in raising those funds. 

We're going to need to raise about $700-$800. We really need you to step up and donate to our efforts to unseat a very corporate 20 year incumbent, who takes money from PG&E as well as drug companies, insurance companies, weapons manufacturers, Wall St, real estate companies and more. This is your campaign as much as it is mine. If you want us to be on the ballot, please contribute what you can. Every little bit helps, but if you can afford to contribute more, please do. 

There are much bigger concerns in any fire than a candidate gathering signatures, still many of us have had our efforts repeatedly hampered by PG&E.

Yesterday I emailed Secretary of State Alex Padilla. Here is that letter: "In the interest of fairness to candidates in areas impacted by PG&E power shut offs and fires, I'm asking you to please extend the signature in lieu period by 10 days.

My power has been out for 2 days and the air is filled with smoke from the Kincaid fire. No one wants to sign petitions in the smoke or with power outages or mandatory evacuations looming.

This is the third such event that's hampered signature gathering in my area, including a fairly small hillside fire in American Canyon. And I know that other candidates in other races and districts have been affected as well. Thank you for considering my request."