I re-founded the California Voter Foundation in 1994 to take advantage of changes new technology was bringing to politics and advance reforms using computers and the Internet that improve voter education, government accountability and transparency of money in politics. Since California is considered a bellweather state, a big reason for my taking on this position was to ensure California sets a good example in political reform and use of technology in elections that other states could emulate. This formula has worked repeatedly over the years, as CVF was the first orgnanization to advance electronic filing and online dislosure of campaign finance data, and was among the first groups to oppose paperless electronic voting and demand voter-verified paper ballots and post-election audits. CVF continues working to improve the voting process to better serve voters by promoting greater election security, funding for elections and equal treatment of California voters statewide.

While a short-lived position, this experience gave me the opportunity to work for a political leader who continues working tirelessly for her constituents and for the public good. Working in this position gave me the opportunity to help a potential candidate for Secretary of State shape her policy positions and messages and gain an understanding of what it can take, organizationally and financially, to run a statewide campaign.

In this position I had the opportunity to study campaign finance data and find and publicize contribution trends as well as expose questionable actions resulting from those donations. My first study was an examination of the impact that savings and loan donations had on Califonia laws that led to the S&L industry meltdown and staggering financial losses in the 1980's. I also staffed legislation and learned about the lobbying process, and worked on numerous issues including redistricting, the initiative process, campaign finance limits and regulations and independent expenditures. Through this experience I came to appreciate the important role the California Secretary of State plays in helping to prepare Californians to vote and provide access to information like campaign contributions that help voters make informed choices.

My job as a Senate Fellow was to analyze bills that came before our committee, shepherd a bill authored by the committee chair, Herschel Rosenthal, through the legislative process, and help prepare for committee hearings as well as an oversight hearing following the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. Being a Senate Fellow was an incredibly enriching and educational experience; though I spent only 1 year working in the Capitol, the Fellowship program provided exposure to many of the key leaders in the State Capitol and is an experience I recommend to anyone seeking to work in California's legislative process.

As a staffer in that year's most expensive congressional campaign in the nation, my job was to manage the campaign donors' database and generate thank-you letters for the candidate to sign. Through this experience I learned about the enormous amount of data campaigns acquire and manage about voters and donors, and also gained an understanding of how campaign data is computerized which helped me later to lead the effort to require electronic filing and online disclosure of campaign finance data in California and beyond. I also had the pleasure of working directly with Gary Hart, who remains a mentor and friend to this day.