Meet Marin District 5 Supervisor Candidate Jason Sarris

NOVATO, CA — Nonprofit board member Jason Sarris is among four candidates in Marin's District 5 supervisor race.

Nonprofit community advocate Kevin J. Morrison, Novato Mayor Eric Lucanand Marin County Sheriff’s Deputy Colin Medalie, are the others.

The candidates are running to replace outgoing Supervisor Judy Arnold, who last year announced she would not seek a fifth term.

Patch sent questionnaires to all candidates in selected races, including this one.

Age (as of Election Day)

53

Party Affiliation
Democrat

Family

Bryce (Son) Brooke (Daughter) Patricia (Mother) Kali (Sister)

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?
No
Education
San Marin High School Graduate
Occupation
Housing Advocate/ Union Organizer, Board Member of Marin Housing For All
Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office
None
Campaign website
No website
Why are you seeking elective office?

To create change and diversity that is so desperately needed on the Board of Supervisors.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I think most of the candidates in the race for District 5 Supervisor all want to see change happen on the Board of Supervisors but how we get there and what is a priority is how we differ. I want there to be rent stabilization/rent control throughout the county so residents won't have to be priced out and move away or become homeless. I want all the 14,000 of housing units mandated by the state to be very low and low income housing. I also want to see the rights of homeless to be protected from city's trying to pass ordinances that will criminalize homelessness. I want to see people in RVs and vehicles NOT ticketed and towed and then become homeless on the streets. I am in full support of California Bill AB 1185 Sheriff's Oversight Committee Committee with Subpoena power. I would support not giving the Sheriff's department any expanded funds until a Committee with subpoena power was in place and the Sheriff's department stopped giving information to ICE.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)

The Board of Supervisors have failed to look through the lens of equity. For failing to get on board sooner with the Golden Gate Village Revitilization plan. For failing to address the continued racial profiling by the Sheriff's department. For failing to help municipalities struggling to deal with homelessness. For failing to intervene with internment camp with subhuman conditions underneath under the freeway in San Rafael that disproportionately affects the bipoc community. For failing to push for higher inclusionary rates with the housing mandates throughout Marin.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

Climate change. The County needs to have a plan in place to mitigate sea level rising. The County needs to help homeowners who are struggling financially with subsidiary funds that will help harden their homes during fire storms. The county needs to build the 14,000 housing units mandated by the state so less people will have to commute on the freeways to help with carbon emissions. We also need to do the best we can to conserve water by changing landscapes in city and county properties that use less water. Also trap and store water.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

The temporary homeless camp at Lee Gerner Park in Novato is one of my greatest accomplishments. Being homeless and sticking up for the rights of people on the streets and all the obstacles I had to hurdle along the way to attaining the creation of the camp is powerful. Using existing law and getting community support was instrumental in bringing the City of Novato to the table and to the City's credit, they stepped up and built a beautiful camp that we as a collective city can all be proud of. My greatest strength is bringing all sides together and will be no different if elected as supervisor.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

So many to choose from but what sticks out to me right bow is when I started to fight and protest for the right to camp at Lee Gerner Park during the beginning of the pandemic, a close friend said to me: whatever you do, don't sugar coat it. Tell it how it is.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I feel that living a good productive life then becoming homeless has made me a well rounded person that has given me perspective and experience that is so desperately needed on the Board of Supervisors. As Supervisor, I will bring oversight, transparency, diversity and accountability to the table. I want to be the Supervisor that says, " we need to do this because it's the right thing to do". And then go ahead and get it done!

CHECK OUT THE FULL CALMATTERS 2022 VOTER GUIDE HERE.