On Thursday, by unanimous consent, the United States Senate confirmed President Obama’s nomination of Congresswoman Ellen Tauscher to be his Undersecretary of State for Arms Control and International Security. And on Friday, she was sworn into office, vacating the 10th Congressional District seat.

I extend my congratulations to Undersecretary Tauscher and wish her the best of luck in this exciting and challenging new role. With tensions on the rise in North Korea and Iran, we need competent cabinet officials capable of clearly articulating President Obama’s vision on arms control, and if this Roll Call article on her capabilities as a House floor gavel master is any indication, she is not afraid to take charge during tense exchanges.

Having served as a Deputy Interior Secretary under President Bill Clinton, I know that the work of cabinet officials is important and often goes unacknowledged, and I’m confident that Undersecretary Tauscher will serve our country well under the direction of my friend, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

I am running to replace Undersecretary Tauscher in the 10th Congressional District, a district that encompasses parts of Contra Costa, Solano, Alameda, and Sacramento counties.

The Governor will soon announce a special election date which will take place in late August or early September, and I would be honored to have your support.

I am a proven Democrat ready to provide you with the representation you deserve. My positions are clear; my 35-year record is voluminous; and I have the relationships in Washington capable of providing the 10th Congressional District with strong and effective leadership on day one. Please, take a moment to see where I stand.

If you want a representative in Congress with a consistent track record of standing up against the insurance industry and Big Oil, if you want a representative ready to fight for universal healthcare, energy independence, and a renewed commitment to our students, please consider making a donation – $5, $10, $25, $50, or $100 – any amount helps.

Sincerely,

John