“Kriss Worthington has been standing up for working people and social justice ever since I first met him in the 1970s, when he was a volunteer for the United Farm Workers. ”
- Dolores Huerta, co-founder, United Farm Workers of America
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About Kriss
Democrat Kriss Worthington has spent his entire public service career standing up for progressive values, and making sure those values are transformed into action.
As a Berkeley City Councilmember, Kriss has steadily built a reputation as one of the region’s most prominent and effective progressive leaders, making real progress on the issues that matter to the people of the East Bay – issues like education, the economy & jobs, and the environment.
Kriss is no stranger to overcoming huge challenges. He spent the first 11 years of his life as a foster child, living in foster homes, and later spent time on the streets as a homeless youth. These challenging early life experiences gave Kriss the compassion he has today for those who are less fortunate – and he’s spent his time as a legislator being a voice for those who are left out with no one to speak up for them.
Overcoming these obstacles also gave Kriss the strength and tenacity to fight for what is right. He has been elected to the Berkeley City Council four times, raising more money in small contributions than any progressive candidate in the history of the city, and he has won again and again despite being outspent by opponents by more than a 2 to 1 margin.
Candidate Statement for 2010
Kriss Worthington for City Council 2010
As a Democrat with Backbone, I’ve continued Berkeley’s tradition of
weighing in on state, national, and international policies. I’ve worked
with social justice groups to gain governmental support for issues
including peace, environment, labor, civil rights, education, consumer,
disability, seniors, immigrants, students, tenants, women’s, healthcare,
affordable housing, fair trade, and many more. Helped enact model
ordinances: Zero Waste, Living Wage, Equal Benefits, and Precautionary
Principle.
I’ve simultaneously worked hard on constituent services like trash, rats,
noise, lighting, recycling, parking, and helping small businesses, and
sponsored numerous proposals to address crime and disaster preparedness.
Rather than give lip service to diversity, I’ve appointed the highest
numbers of women, Asians, Latino/as, and students, and challenged others
to do likewise. Like Paul Wellstone, as a pragmatic progressive I’ve
worked closely with veterans’ groups and ethnic groups some write off as
not progressive. I’ve hired, appointed, and trained many young people,
teaching about people power through community organizing, coalition
building, and habits such as keeping it short and snappy, saying
thank-you, and keeping facts at your fingertips.
As “the most dangerous man in Berkeley”, I’ve won budget votes to shift
millions of dollars to more progressive priorities, including supporting
social service groups and avoiding employee layoffs. On a pragmatic level,
I was successful in passing the motion to establish Berkeley’s Rainy Day
Fund, which helped reduce cuts when the economy went sour.
As a progressive, I’ve advocated against trickle-down developmental
policies and greenwashing in favor of affordable housing, open space, and
strong and enforceable labor and environmental benefits. As an example, I
opposed a project providing only 7 affordable units out of 98, then
supported it when it returned as 98 affordable units.
I’ve fought fiercely for public transit funding, especially for transit
operating funds. Endorsed by nearly all supes, mayors, and councilmembers
with whom I’ve served on regional committees.
Kriss Worthington for City Council 2010, i.d. pending, 548-8796,
www.krissworthington.com
Kriss Worthington for City Council 2010
