Meet Diane Papan, Candidate For Peninsula Assembly Seat

SAN MATEO COUNTY, CA — Diane Papan, the deputy mayor of San Mateo, is running to represent the 21st Assembly District, a redrawn district held by the outgoing Kevin Mullin (D-South San Francisco).

In a game of local political musical chairs, the seat is open after Kevin Mullin (D-South San Francisco) announced he wouldn’t seek reelection and instead run to represent the area in Congress, with Jackie Speier (D-San Mateo) stepping away from her seat after this year.

The redrawn district is similar to what was referred to previously as the 22nd District, stretching from South San Francisco to East Palo Alto.

The moves mean a majority of the Peninsula will have fresh representation in both the state Assembly and Congress for the first time in more than a decade, as Mullin has held the seat since 2012.

Papan is one of seven candidates running for the open seat. The primary is June 7, narrowing the field to two candidates before the Nov. 8 general election.

Learn more about Papan and her goals for the district as voters cast their ballots before and on Election Day June 7th in the following exclusive Q&A with Patch.

Age (as of Election Day)

58

Party Affiliation

Democrat

Family

Dan Latini (Husband), Alexa Papan Latini (Daughter)

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

My sister is the Vice Mayor of Millbrae. I am from a political family that has won 17 times in the district.

Education

UCLA B.A. Political Science; UC Hastings, Juris Doctorate

Occupation

Deputy Mayor City of San Mateo; Small Business Owner/Attorney representing small mom and pop businesses; Non-Profit Director

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

Elected:
I have been elected twice to the San Mateo City Council. I am now serving in
my second term and seventh year. In 2020, I was the top vote-getter in the county for a council seat.

Elected/Appointed:
As a recognized local and regional leader, I champion our local interests on the following
committees – where I advocate for regional emergency preparedness, traffic relief, and
conservation for our safety and quality of life:

• City/County Association of Governments
• San Mateo County Resource Management and Climate Protection Committee
• San Mateo County Flood and Sea Level Rise Resiliency District
• San Mateo County Express Lane Joint Power Authority, Chair
• San Mateo County Council of Cities, Former Chair
• Fallen Heroes Memorial Committee
• San Mateo United Homeowners Assoc., Former 2nd Vice President
• Baywood Elementary School Site Council, Former Chair

Campaign website

www.dianepapan.com

Why are you seeking elective office?

As a proven leader, I am running for office because I know I can make a difference. I am a daughter of this district. Its residents are family, friends and neighbors. I know the struggles and inequalities that exist here. I have a demonstrated track record of successfully working to improve our community. I have led with compassion because of where I come from.

I am the granddaughter of Greek immigrants and the daughter of a man who was sent to school not speaking English. They worked hard to survive. Growing up, we had challenges that inspired my family to work in public service; it was a way to help address systemic challenges so other families might not have to go through everything our family did. My brother suffered from a rare illness for most of his life and I saw how my parents had to fight the health insurance company from canceling our insurance. My mother suffered from Lupus and then cancer. I am not the only one who has had hardships, but this adversity taught me that: (1) life is fragile, (2) you only get one shot, and (3) you can make a difference. It had a profound impact on my life’s work.

I have spent 22 years running a non-profit helping families and running a scholarship program. I have a law practice where I help small mom and pop businesses. I am a community activist and involved in our public schools.

As a San Mateo councilmember, I have spent the last six years working on our most pressing issues such as affordable housing and critical infrastructure.

My history of service and my deep community roots give me a strong policy understanding that I will take to the State Legislature. In the Assembly, I will focus on investing in programs that address our most chronic and acute issues which were exacerbated by the global pandemic.

As the top vote getter in the county among councilmembers, with strong name recognition, I am running as a leader who will invest in game-changing strategies to address climate change and to bring quality healthcare services, affordable housing, affordable childcare and access to great public schools and college programs to every Californian.

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

I am a daughter of this district who knows our issues and knows how to build consensus to get things done. The "how" in getting things done is very important. I am a proven leader who has been dedicated to serving our community. I have produced results and I will go to Sacramento to continue to produce results. I am not about platitudes. This is why I have the support of so many local elected officials, from a majority of the County Board of Supervisors to a majority of local mayors.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

I have been at the forefront of some of our most pressing issues, including affordable housing, infrastructure, increasing the minimum wage and hazard pay for grocery and pharmacy workers.

Wildfire prevention and disaster preparedness

As a Member of the Assembly, I’ll fight for year-round investment in wildfire prevention locally and statewide. This means recruiting, retaining and training an adequate workforce of firefighters, nurses and first responders; equipping them with the life-saving tools they need to contain fires and save lives; and investing in effective vegetation management and fire break techniques.

Childcare

As a San Mateo Ccouncilmember, I led on increasing developer childcare fees and funding distance learning centers at our rec centers during COVID, so that our most vulnerable parents could still work while their kids attended school from afar. As a member of the Assembly, I’ll fight for increased childcare funding and increased access.

Drought

I am currently leading efforts to address the devastating effects of drought in San Mateo County and will take that expertise to Sacramento. Approaches I am developing locally to recycle/reclaim water for use in irrigation, farming and landscaping can be a model statewide for all Californians. As a member of the Assembly, I’ll secure our fair share of resources to fix our aging storm drain infrastructure.

Sea level rise and flood control

Without focused leadership, El Camino Real, Highway 101 and Caltrain will literally be flooded in the foreseeable future. I helped to create a first of its kind special district called OneShoreline to tackle these changes head on.

These strategies will protect our communities from the devastating effects of climate change by investing in infrastructure, an issue I’ve long led on as a San Mateo City Councilmember. I’ll champion infrastructure investments to protect California’s coastline and expand green jobs that keep California’s workforce and economy strong.

Accessible, quality healthcare

I am the grand-daughter of Greek immigrants and the product of working class roots. I know firsthand what it means to live hand to mouth, let alone pay expensive medical and prescription medication bills. None of us know what the next health or pandemic crisis will be. We need to break the Sacramento stalemate on these issues so every Californian receiving unlimited healthcare benefits and free out-of-pocket healthcare costs can be a reality.

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

In addition to the above answer, I worked on the following accomplishments: (1) Establishing the One Shoreline District, a first of its kind district that brings together cities to address sea level rise, (2) Securing funding for the Clean Water Program that will save ratepayers $50 million in interest payments, and (3) The construction of hundreds affordable housing units, including Kiku Crossing where there will be housing for the unhoused, government workers and disabled adults.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Be authentic.

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

I will serve with fairness, empathy and humility.