My name is Carter Pohl, and I am a PDN endorsed candidate for the Assembly District Delegate election in AD21. I’m a union member and a community organizer, and I believe our Democratic Party should prioritize peace, dignified housing for all, and health care for all.

We need delegates who aren't afraid to unconditionally put working people first, lead with those closest to the pain, and never compromise on the values of justice, equity, and living with dignity. That is my commitment on what I will bring to the Democratic Party.

I’m a lifelong resident of San Mateo, attending the public schools Abbott Middle, Hillsdale High, and College of San Mateo, the latter my father attended before me. Our public schools instilled in me the values of justice, equity, and living with dignity. My family’s stability allowed me to learn without fear of being hungry, sick, and in the cold. Our society has prioritized profit and made these basic human rights into privileges - privileges that many of our neighbors don’t have. 

When I was a kid, I had a dream of being a strength and conditioning coach, and when I was 21 I landed a dream job in that field. But I ended up suffering workplace harassment and abuse, an experience which made me realize the importance of workers’ rights and union organizing. 

Since leaving the strength and conditioning world, I volunteered for tenant organizations, helping ESL families learn their housing rights, worked for a supervisor candidate running on housing, healthcare, jobs, and justice, where we spent significant amounts of time in deep East Oakland and Unincorporated Ashland. I also worked for the elections division for the county of San Mateo, joining local union SEIU 521. The united strength of working people fills me with hope, and always reminds me of the values taught in our public schools. 

Currently, I am a lead organizer fellow with Bay Rising, working in Redwood City, assisting working people of all backgrounds, faiths, and beliefs in making our communities work for them. Last fall, I was the campaign manager for Ghassan Shamieh in his run for Millbrae City Council, and I’m proud that we engaged hundreds of people, including several dozen first-time Arab voters, in a grassroots local campaign.

If I am elected, I will bring my skills as a community organizer and my values of peace and dignity for all to the Democratic Party. I’d be honored to earn your support.