Veronika Fimbres

Veronika Fimbres was born in Detroit, Michigan. Fimbres served in the U.S. Navy from 1972 to 1974. Her career experience includes working as an intensive comfort care nurse for hospice and palliative care patients. Fimbres' previous professional experience includes working as a licensed cosmetologist. She served as a Commissioner of Veterans Affairs for San Francisco from 1997 to 2012.[4] Fimbres is a member of the Alexander Hamilton Post 448, American Legion in San Francisco.[5]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a California Licensed Nurse, specializing in Hospice and Palliative Care, as an Intensive Comfort Care Nurse. (End of Life.) Vietnam Era, Navy Veteran, Transgender Woman. Unapologetically , Black!

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?

It is time for transformative change in politics, and I am the vessel of that change.Healthcare is a right. Industrial Nations everywhere have it, we need to understand why we don't.People, planet, clean air, and H2O, ending the use of fossil fuels, and dealing directly with climate change, that brings so many fires in California.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Single Payer, Universal Healthcare.

Restructuring the Insurance Industry so it works in favor of the consumer, and benefits the consumer.

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

It regulates the insurance industry, makes sure policies and regulations are honored and followed. Receive complaints from the people and resolves them. There are state laws that must be followed within that process, of being office holder. There must be transparency and you can not regulate an agency if your are taking money from the people you are supposed to be regulating. They need to be someone above reproach, and not be a corporate "tool"

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

I look up to my parents. Though my Dad is now deceased, he was a good man, and loved me unconditionally, even when I came out as Trans. My Mom has always loved me unconditionally, and she was my inspiration for becoming a nurse. She always took such pride in ironing her nursing uniform, and starching and pressing her nursing cap. Being a trailblazer, there is no example of who I'd like to follow. I'd like to make my own path, and have others follow me. That is what born leaders do.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

There is no particular book, but I do recommend looking up the Green Party of The United States, online/ That way they can educate themselves as to what we stand for, and our policies and beliefs, such as the "Four Pillars," and our "Ten key Values." it is how I familiarized myself about the party, prior to joining, in 2003.

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

I believe that honesty, integrity and transparency are the best gifts to have for an elected official. Also, the ability to listen to your constituents and the people that you are/were elected to serve. The public will love you for that, as honesty is almost once again, a novel concept!

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

I am honest and possess integrity, and compassion. I listen, and I pay attention. One of the advantages I have over the other candidates, sans the incumbent, is that I served as Commissioner, successfully on a local level. I am the first Transgender Commissioner in the history of the City and County of San Francisco. I was appointed by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, and then served at the pleasure of Mayor's Willie Lewis Brown, Jr., Gavin Newsom, and the late, Ed Lee. I served for fourteen years and eight months.

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

As California Insurance Commissioner, my staff and the Department of Insurance (“CDI”) will be in charge of regulating insurance companies, agents, brokers, and public adjusters doing business in our state. Our state laws and regulations protect consumers against unfair insurance practices. The Insurance Commissioner’s job is to make sure insurance companies live up to their promises and have enough money to pay claims. As your Insurance Commissioner, I vow to uphold the state's laws and regulations on these issues, and will work with the state leaders to help ensure we get UNIVERSAL single payer comprehensive HEALTH care for ALL Californians

What legacy would you like to leave?

I would like to leave the legacy that as a Black Woman, a Trans Woman, Nurse, and Veteran, that by being the best that I can be for the people, the Californians that I wish to serve . . . that I not only broke the patriarchal "Two-Party System," but I broke the "glass ceiling!" The most important thing is that I delivered on my promise to bring Californians single-payer healthcare.

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

I was in forth grade, and I was eleven years old. I came out of class at class changed and the Assistant Principal, Miss Vlute was crying, while herding us through the hall for our next class. She said that President Kennedy has been shot, and he's dead! I burst out crying immediately. He was the Black Communities "Great White Hope!" It was devastating! Still remember the pain, when I think about it, even now..

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

I was a pre-teen and it didn't last too long. I worked at a Jewish Synagogue in Detroit, Michigan. I worked in the kitchen, rolling kosher links in egg yolk. The synagogue charged minimum of $300.00 per place setting, so they had huge weddings and events, and made a fortune. The guy that took me to work would drink in the car, and it made me uncomfortable.

What is your favorite book? Why?

"I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings," by Maya Angelou. It is my favorite song, because I can relate to what the main character went through, being sexually assaulted, and the PTSD aftereffects.

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

Mary Poppins, because when she measured herself on the tape measure, it said her name, and "practically perfect, in every way!

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

The theme song from the Bette Davis classic, :Now Voyager. It is so moving!

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

It was being overweight, but I no longer have that struggle. I lost another person, over 140# Ecstatic!

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

Being effective, and making sure that you do the job, to the very best of your ability.

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

The Insurance Commissioner does not make laws!

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

Not necessarily, but it certainly can't hurt.

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

Honesty, Integrity, and Transparency. They must work for Californians, and not Corporations!

Tell us your favorite joke.

I am a horrible joke teller, and things others find particularly funny, I sometimes don't. it was a joke by Henny Youngman. He was always famous for his one liners. "I went to a seafood restaurant today. The Catch of the Day, was Salmonella!"

Veronika Fimbres did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2021 Candidate Connection survey.

Fimbres stated the following about her political philosophy in a biographical submission to [the profile publisher]:[6]

There are more than two parties in the race. Time for a "Real Change!

Real and Genuine person! Been where you have been. Let's rise together![7]

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