AD9

For some, running for office is "a  way to give back" after a life of private pursuits. For Robert Pernell, serving the community has been a way of life. His long-standing dedication to and familiarity within the central Sacramento community gives him a major edge over his opponents in the race for Assembly District 9.

              • SMUD Board of Directors; Elected to Ward 6
              • Served as President in 1997, and  two terms as Vice President
              • Legislative Advocate for the State Council of Laborers
              • Paratrooper in the U.S. Army, 82nd Airborne Division
              • Founder of Meadowview Community Action
              • Graduate of Sacramento High School
              • Graduate of Cosumnes River College
              • Graduate of California State University,  Sacramento (CSUS)
              • Married to Winifred Pernell, they have three children

Meadowview Community Action (MCA)

In 1989, Pernell founded Meadowview Community Action (MCA), a non-profit
organization that operates two Head Start early childhood education centers and a
range of job training, parenting and AIDS prevention programs. Under his
leadership, MCA's annual budget has grown from $119,000 to nearly $2 million,
and the number of employees has increased from one to more then twenty-five.

SMUD Board of Directors

In 1994, Pernell entered the public sector by running for and winning a seat on 
Sacramento Municipal Utility Board (SMUD) representing Ward 6, obtaining
more then 75% of the votes. Robert served as the SMUD Board President in
1997, and has served two terms as Vice President. During Pernell's tenure, the
SMUD Board has kept consumer rates frozen for the past eight years, and plans to
continue the freeze for the next three years.

Legislative Advocate

Pernell started as a diswasher at Mather Air Force Base and worked his way up
through the ranks of Construction General Laborer's Local 185. After decades of
selfless service to Local 185, Pernell continues his fight for working families. As a
legislative advocate for the State Council of Laborers, he promotes workers' issues
at the California State Assembly. His work includes fighting to pass stricter safety
standards at job locations, while his current effort is  strengthening.

The District

Assembly District 9 includes the town of Freeport and the Pocket/Greenhaven and
Meadowview Communities in South Sacramento County to Tahoe Heights and Del
Paso Heights in the north. in short, it covers much of the city of Sacramento.

Roughly 50% of the district's voters are people of color -- 18% Latino, 17%
African-American, and 15% Asian. Assembly District 9 is heavily Democratic,
voter registration is 61% Democratic, 24% is Republican, and 15% other.