Kevin Akin

Akin worked as a carpenter from 1968 to 1963, as a steelworker from 1973 through 1983, and as a steam engineer in a hospital boiler room from 1985 through 2005. He is now retired.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a community volunteer, for many organizations over the years, who strongly opposes the Trump Administration's corruption, violence, and attacks on democracy. When I saw that the pro-Trump incumbent had no opposition on the ballot, I consulted with friends and filed as a write-in candidate.

Write-in candidacies are often a futile gesture. Not so in my case. Under California election law, the top two vote-getters in the present primary will advance to the November ballot. There are only two candidates: the incumbent and myself. That means that even though I will receive few votes in the primary, I will advance to the November election because I will be in second place.

I am a very serious candidate, and am already putting together a committee to fight for every vote in November. I think that my opposition to the Trump "MAGA" machine, of which the incumbent is a part, can win me a majority this year. Anyone of any party or no party can write in my name in June, and vote for me on the November ballot.

A worker all my life, I was a carpenter for five years, a steelworker for ten years, and I was a steam engineer is a hospital boiler room for over 20 more until my retirement. I have been a member of four unions, and I have also been active in so many community organizations that I can't count them now. Hobby clubs, my religious congregation, historic preservation efforts, family-based charities, and too many others to fit here.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

I want to represent working people in Sacramento. The very wealthy already have plenty of representation in Sacramento and Washington. The working majority in this district deserves a representative in the legislature who puts their needs first. I would expect that the billionaires will not like me, and I am cool with that. My only concern when approaching any political issue is "what is best for working people?" This cuts across party lines.A warm regard for the people of this district, from a lifetime of community activism in our area. I was born in Riverside, I was raised here, and I have had co-workers and friends in every part of this district. Of course district lines have changed every ten years, but I have lived in my present house, in the 63rd District, for 52 years. I love this whole place, I want to protect its quality of life and improve it, and I am concerned about the extraordinary working-class people of our area and all of California. They are what makes this place function, and they want it to function better."To bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance." Those are the words of George Washington. Sadly, the present Trump cult, of which the incumbent is a member, has been using bigotry as a basic part of their plan to take full power. I strongly support every effort to oppose bigotry and discrimination. Whether someone is a Christian, a Jew, a Muslim, a Hindu, a Buddhist, or of no religion at all should make no difference at all in treatment by the government, or in activity regulated by the government. I appreciate the rising tide of tolerance from 1776 right up to Trump taking power, and I am determined to do my bit to make that tide rise again.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I have several main concerns. One is opposition to racism and bigotry, which hurts us all.

Another is the defense of democracy, and of constitutional safeguards and division of power. We do not need a King! Or a president with king-like power. I had some ancestors who fought to throw off the yoke of George the Third, and their achievement cannot be discarded.

Another is determination to empower working people in every area of life, which requires the disempowerment of the billionaires, the people Franklin Delano Roosevelt called "economic royalists." We need to take the money out of politics, and if this requires changes to the Constitution, so be it.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

I have only now begun to solicit endorsements, from individuals and organizations. I only filed my papers last week, and just now found that i am unopposed for write-in votes, that means I will have a place on the November ballot.

[the profile publisher] biographical submission form

The candidate completed [the profile publisher]'s biographical information submission form:

What is your political philosophy?

I want to empower working people, and disempower billionaires. My main reason for running for this office this year is to push for the formation of a publicly-owned California state bank, that could save so much money for the state and the people that now goes to private bankers.

[2]

—Kevin Akin[1]

What would be your top three priorities, if elected?

First, start a study of the advantages of a publicly-owned State Bank, and publicize the results, pushing the legislature to establish such a State Bank (along the lines of the present state bank in North Dakota, that has saved so much money for that state and its people. Second, ensure that all 60+ commissions, committees, and authorities on which the Treasurer sits, or to which the Treasurer appoint representatives, have a working-class point of view represented on them for the first time, with activists for the people serving with the Treasurer. Third, push to revise tax policy so that less of the burden falls on working people and the poor, and more of the burden is placed where it belongs, on those wealthy people who benefit the most from our economy and can most easily pay a larger share.[4][2]

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? Why?

I am passionate about medical care for all, I am passionate about empowering workers and disempowering their billionaire exploiters, and I am passionate about bringing true democracy to our country and its economy.Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; invalid names, e.g. too many[2]

[the profile publisher] also asked the candidate a series of optional questions. Kevin Akin answered the following:

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow and why?

There are thousands of working-class heroes of the past I admire, and I particularly admire the great labor leader Eugene Debs, who said "It is better to vote for what you need, but not get it, than to vote for what you don't want, and get it." Among prominent American figures of my lifetime, I strongly admire Martin Luther King, Jr.[2]

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else that best describes your political philosophy?

Many books, including "The Jungle" by Upton Sinclair, and "Grapes of Wrath" by John Steinbeck, but for an understanding of my political philosophy I recommend the website of the Peace and Freedom Party at www.peaceandfreedom.org with its many links and documents.[2]

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Honesty, forthrightness, steadfastness in adhering to principle, and support for the working-class majority against the forces of the wealthy.[2]

What qualities do you possess that would make you a successful officeholder?

I think I have sufficiently demonstrated the virtues in the answer to the last question, over a lifetime of advocacy for working people and for human rights.[2]

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Maintain honest dealings in all matters, financial and otherwise, and push for changes that will benefit working people. I have said that I do not intend to "represent all Californians," just 99 percent of them. The top one percent have far too much representation in Sacramento already.[2]

What legacy would you like to leave?

I would like to leave a legacy of a publicly-owned State Bank, to operate on behalf of the people of California. I would hope that those who vote for me understand that their votes count to push for what I propose whether I win or lose, and every vote counts.[2]

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at that time?

I remember the relief of my parents when the Korean war armistice was adopted a few days before my third birthday, and their concern over the nuclear weapons tests of the 1950s. My father had a particular interest in astronomy and in rockets, and I remember the family getting up on our roof with a telescope to see the transit of Sputnik 1 across the evening sky when I was 7 years old.[2]

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

As a teenager I worked various odd jobs and short-term jobs, but my first steady full-time job was as a carpenter in a motor-home plant in Riverside at 18.[2]

What happened on your most awkward date?

Even if I could recall an awkward date, I probably would not tell you about it. My wife and I just celebrated our 45th wedding anniversary, so anything before that is ancient history.[2]

What is your favorite holiday? Why?

Pesach, the Jewish holiday of Passover. The fact that it is a feast-day with historical associations probably explains why, as I like history and have always been fond of food.[2]

What is your favorite book? Why?

I am a voracious reader, and it is just too hard to pick a favorite out of all the hundreds of really good books I love.[2]

If you could be any fictional character, who would you be?

I am going to skip silly questions, with the election so close.[2]

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Supporting my family has always been a struggle, and as a poor kid I know what hunger is like, and have made sure that my kids never experienced the real thing. It took a lot of work over decades, as a carpenter, a steelworker, and a boiler room engineer, but I managed to earn enough in pensions to scrape by in retirement. Economic problems still worry me, though, and I want to make sure that California has the tools at hand to avoid hardship and keep our economy humming for the benefit of working people.[2]

What qualities does this office possess that makes it a unique and important part of the state government?

The office is key to the flow of money in and out of government, and the Treasurer can help make sure the money is not siphoned off by wealthy interests who want everything for themselves.[2]

What responsibilities of this office do you personally consider the most important?

Monitoring the flow of money, making sure it is not misused, and advocating for improvements in the law and in the economy.[2]

Are there any little-known powers or responsibilities held by this office that you believe more people should be aware of?

Many of them! The Treasurer sits on over 60 boards, commissions, committees, and authorities, too many to list in this answer, and almost all of them are of considerable importance.[2]

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for holders of this office to have previous experience in government or politics?

In politics, yes, but not necessarily in elected office. Far too many politicians see elected office as opportunities for themselves rather than for the people. I have over 50 years of political experience, as an activist, party official, and occasional candidate, but have never received a paycheck for holding a political position. All my work so far has been as an unpaid volunteer. That experience can be even more helpful than experience cashing paychecks from the state.[2]

What kind of skills or expertise do you believe would be the most helpful for the holders of this office to possess?

Listening to people, dealing with their problems, and pushing for solutions to the problems of many people, all are important for someone in this office. I assume that all the candidates can do the needed math, but the real question is whose side are they on?[2]