Vows to continue commitment to public service

By Sr. Correspondent, Antoine Craigwell

(New York, NY, Sept 2, 2009) - Even though he lost the race, his was a valiant effort. Anthony Woods' bid for California's 10th Congressional District was fought against the backdrop of many of history's leaders, who with military backgrounds embraced leadership positions as politicians. He is young and he has promise.

When the results came in overnight from yesterday's Primary, Woods placed fourth, obtaining 8 percent of the votes. He was beaten by three fellow Democrats, Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi, former California State Insurance Commissioner, with 26 percent; Mark DeSaulnier with 18 percent; and state assemblywoman Joan Buchanan with 12 percent.




One of the main reasons why he tried for public office was that he saw over and over again that those who ran for office to represent the people consistently got it wrong on the issues.

 

"When I returned from the military, the challenges of health care and insurance, jobs and the effect of the economy on people, and not enough people treating veterans with respect, as issues facing the District were still there," Woods said.

But complaints against Garamendi ranged from being a carpetbagger; not living in the District to being a career politician. Many claim that he won mainly through name recognition and the influence he has amassed over the years in politics, listing among his supporters former president Bill Clinton and former vice president Al Gore.

This Primary election sought to choose out of a field of 14 candidates the person who would run against a Republican in the general election to fill the House seat vacated by the resignation in June of former Representative Ellen Tauscher, who accepted the position of Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Affairs.

Despite this loss, for Woods, 28, his initial bid for public office was not only as an African American, but as an openly gay man, which places him on the level of the late Harvey Milk, who strived to work for the people regardless of skin color or sexual orientation. Additionally, he demonstrated to the national Black gay community that someone could be Black and openly gay, and try for public office.

The people of the 10th District were able to see beyond these two issues and unite around a common purpose, such as healthcare, said Woods, "I was amazed to see that my race and my sexual orientation weren't issues of concern to the voters. Race was a complete non issue. When I talked about being gay, people were shocked that the military would fire someone who is good; this is a very progressive county."

 


Anthony Woods with Iraqi children
Born at Travis Airfield Base in Fairfield, CA, and raised by Carolyn, a single mother who worked as a house keeper, Woods earned a Congressional Appointment to attend the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, where he graduated on the Dean's List.

After his graduation, he volunteered and ended up serving two tours of duty in Iraq, in 2004 and again in 2005, earning a Bronze Star and the Army Commendation Medal. Achieving the rank of Captain, Woods returned home and attended Harvard University where he obtained his Masters degree from the Kennedy School of Government, and was selected in 2008 to give the commencement address.

While on leave from the Army Woods decided he couldn't continue to hide his sexuality, which meant he took a stand against the military's "Don't ask, Don't Tell" policy, and his action led to him being honorably discharged.

 

According to his Website, Woods' message and platform lists key socially progressive issues such as, veterans affairs, energy independence and climate change, healthcare for all Americans, quality education, the economy, immigration reform, the pro choice lobby, and the fight for equality.

Tod Stenhouse, who handled public relations and press, said that today, he knows that while Woods was having lunch with his mother, he is still committed to being involved in public service. From the beginning of the campaign the reaction of constituents to Woods exceeded expectations, said Stenhouse.

"He's humbled by the support he received from people online and in person, and from those who went out to the polls," Stenhouse said.

Woods said his determination to run for office is based on, "someone who didn't have health insurance when he was growing up who can now run for public office to ensure that others can have health insurance."

Now that the election is over, Stenhouse said, Woods recognizes that serving the people through politics is not the only way, that there are many other forms of public service. He added that with Woods' performance in this Primary, many people were observing and many people expressed how inspired they were by his effort.