No candidate running for the 14th Assembly District seat is completely unqualified for the position. Attempting to differentiate one from the next based on the issue proves to be quite impossible, as they all list virtually the same priorities if elected to office: education, healthcare, and the environment. But after speaking with the four of them, Tony Thurmond is the ideal representative, not only because he has the strongest grasp of the issues affecting the district but also because his plans are tailored to the needs of the constituency.

With passion derived from a personal background of struggles and well-conceived policies applicable to multiple cities, Tony Thumond is the most in touch with the urgent issues in the district. While the demands of the city of Berkeley and the UC campus tend to be overbearing, the greater issues at hand stem from the dwindling school system in Richmond. But as a current Richmond City Council member and head of a nonprofit group helping foster youth, Thurmond's immersion in the community has sharpened his awareness of the trouble teens face today. Indeed, Thurmond is active in the fight for more educational opportunities and jobs for at-risk youth. These are the initial steps for curbing violence and decreasing crime rates, which has effects that trickles to all parts of the district.

Although Phil Polakoff is well-versed in almost anything and everything related to health care, his strong expertise in this particular area is perhaps his weakness overall. As a physician with a strong public health background, Polakoff understands what ought to be done in terms of insurance reforms and the environmental hazards. Though he has never held elected office before, he has had plenty of experience working with all tiers of government and is knowledgeable about other issues. However, he has slated health care as his main focus, which might not be everyone's top concern. Though we admire Polakoff's passion and his self-professed "breath of fresh air with energy" spirit, his over-emphasis on one issue is enough to spark apprehension for those who have other problems on their plate.

With the endorsement of outgoing Assemblymember Loni Hancock, Nancy Skinner has been chosen as next in line to fill the "Berkeley seat," which has been the reputation of the 14th District. Certainly, Skinner's involvement in the community is laudable, as she pushed for eco-friendly policies as the first UC Berkeley student to be elected to the city council. Her environmental activism continues until today, pushing for cooperation from various parties, ranging from Fortune 500 companies to world leaders, to work towards a greener future. But besides being the natural choice, Skinner's strong ties to Berkeley could hinder her vision for the entire district.

Kriss Worthington, another familiar face to Berkeley politics, is well-informed on local issues after having served on the city council for 11 years. His dedication is respectable (after all, he did claim he has read every line of the city budget). Furthermore, Worthington has always been a strong advocate on behalf of college students, as demonstrated in his fight for the Class Pass and for additional beds in student housing. But his strategy of conversing with the more "conservative" members of the city council in order to arrive at agreements, while effective in smaller group settings, may not necessarily thrive in Sacramento. Worthington's skill set is best kept in Berkeley; some of his progressive projects that have flourished at the municipal level, such as Holocaust Remembrance Day, may not necessarily be a success on the state level.

Charismatic and candid, Thurmond's manner in addressing issues that matter to all cities in the district is a welcome change. Rather than pandering to the interests of both sides of an issue, he unwaveringly elucidates his stance. For example, though Thurmond supports the creation of jobs, he makes his unwillingness to do so at the risk of the environment clear.

Make the choice that takes the comprehensive needs of the 14th District into account. Vote for Tony Thurmond for State Assembly.