Laura Peter is running for California State Assembly in District 13, which is placed right in the middle of San Francisco. She is running against incumbent Democrat Tom Ammiano. I took an interest in Laura at first because my friend and ex boss from the Meg Whitman campaign, Kurt Kleier, is now on Laura's campaign staff. The fund raiser took place at the home of Harmeet Dhillon, who ran for the same seat as a Republican, in 2008. Harmeet's home is near the bottom of the most famous street in San Francisco, Lombard St.
Harmeet supplied the 30 or so well wishers with drinks and snacks. Tom Del Becarro, the Vice Chair of the California Republican Party, made a fevered pitch for money and support for Laura. Although I did not meet him, he was obviously an accomplished speaker. I have heard him on KSFO many a time. I did meet John Dennis, who is currently running for Nancy Pelosi's House seat. I told John I had just attended his speech at at a Ron Paul event that occurred just a week ago. John and Tom spent most of the event in deep conversation.
Its tough to find well funded and well known Republican candidates in the liberal bastion of San Francisco. But if there was ever to be a Republican year, this is it. Laura comes with an impressive resume, starting her education at Cornell, then University of Chicago and Santa Clara University. She finished up her law studies at the University of London and is now an accomplished lawyer in the silicon valley area. I talked to her at length and found her engaging and real. As a moderate Republican, San Francisco would be a better place to live and work, should they elect her.