Scott Sakakihara

Scott Sakakihara began serving in the U.S. Navy Reserve in 2017. He earned a high school diploma from James Logan High School, a bachelor's degree from the University of California, San Diego in 2005, and a law degree from Harvard Law School in 2008. His career experience includes working as a city council member.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I’m a proud Democrat who has dedicated my life to service, as a Councilmember in my hometown of Union City, a regional housing leader, U.S. Navy Reserve Officer, Harvard-educated lawyer, elected member of the Alameda County Democratic Central Committee, and a father. My grandparents were sent to Japanese American internment camps during World War II, which shaped my beliefs about civil rights and duty to future generations. I served in the Obama White House, and now on the City Council I have helped expand affordable housing, secure funding for homelessness services, hire more police officers and community service aides, and protect workers. In the State Senate, I will stand up for California values and work to make life more affordable for everyone.

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?

Make California more affordable: The Bay Area must be a place where everyone, including working and middle class families can make it. That means pursuing universal healthcare and affordable childcare in California. It means creating more affordable and market-rate housing, building more infill housing near transit, and championing creative solutions to fund new housing models. It also means holding insurance companies and energy providers accountable so we can make insuring and powering our homes more achievable for all of us.Protect our most vulnerable: California is the last line of defense when it comes to protecting our most vulnerable from an out of control federal government. I will work to shore up funding for programs like Medi-Cal and CalFresh, and fight for family-supporting, sustainable jobs and wages. I’ll stand up for seniors, immigrants, all people of color, the LGBTQ+ community, and women in need of reproductive healthcare.Build for future generations: We need to implement universal pre-school, invest in public education, and continue to lead on climate change. We must defend and strengthen our emissions standards, reduce air pollution, enhance energy efficiency standards for buildings, and reduce the environmental impact of our infrastructure and vehicles.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Housing, health care, immigration, education, climate change, and veterans' issues.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Alameda County Firefighters (IAFF, Local 55)

California AAPI Legislative Caucus

Building and Construction Trades Council of Alameda County

International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Joint Council 7

UA Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 342

Sprinkler Fitters Local 483

East Bay Young Democrats

Asian Pacific American Democratic Caucus of Alameda County

Congressman Mike Honda (Ret.)

State Senator Jesse Arreguín

Assemblymember Bill Quirk (Ret.)

Alameda County Assessor Phong La

Alameda County Supervisor Elisa Márquez

Alameda County Supervisor Lena Tam

Hayward Mayor Mark Salinas

Milpitas City Councilmember Anthony Phan (Ret.)

Newark Mayor Mike Hannon

Union City Mayor Carol Dutra-Vernaci (Ret.)

And many more!