BY EMILY MIBACH
Daily Post Staff Writer
Steven Booker, who is an electrician and Air Force veteran, is throwing his hat into the ring to replace Don Horsley on the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors, and if successful, he would be the first coastsider on the board in recent memory.
Booker, 53, is a Half Moon Bay resident and a lifelong San Mateo County resident who grew up in Daly City and attended what’s now known as Archbishop Riordan in San Francisco.
He joined the Air Force upon graduating and spent two years in Germany, two years in England and 198 days in Saudi Arabia as part of the Gulf War.
Upon returning home, he went to College of San Mateo and wanted to become a police officer. Despite attending courses, his friend began badgering him to take the electrician’s test. After a year, Booker acquiesced and took the test and passed.
Involved in construction projects
Throughout the years he’s become more and more involved in local politics and construction projects. In 2014 he became the political director for the International Brotherhood of Electric Workers 617.
Booker said that he is running because he feels local politics is the way to make the biggest difference. He also said he feels comfortable seeking a county position because he currently works on countywide projects.
Booker condemned the $7.7 million in county-owned PPE that was left out in the rain at the San Mateo County Event Center. He said someone dropped the ball somewhere, and that the county’s communications may need to be improved.
Although the supervisors don’t run the sheriff’s office, the supervisors can advise the sheriff on issues, and
Booker said he wants to see more transparency between the sheriff and public. He said he’d encourage the board and sheriff to have an oversight committee. He also said police need more de-escalation training and mental health treatment.
Booker said the county is on the right track with its purchase of hotels for low-income and homeless residents, but said they need to offer wrap-around services for homeless people, including mental health treatment, health care and job training.
He also said that he doesn’t think there’s enough information out there about the services people can get.
As far as health care goes, Booker said the coastside needs an emergency room, saying it’s unacceptable that residents need to go to Seton in Daly City or San Mateo General Hospital.
Other candidates
Booker is one of four candidates running to take the seat currently held by Horsley on the Board of Supervisors. Horsley is termed out this year. His district includes San Carlos, Atherton, Woodside, Portola Valley, Pacifica, Half Moon Bay and parts of Menlo Park and Belmont.
Also seeking the seat is San Carlos Mayor Laura Parmer-Lohan, Menlo Park Councilman Ray Mueller and Virginia Chang Kiraly, a county harbor commissioner and Menlo Park Fire Board member.
The Post is publishing articles after interviewing candidates for the various races on the ballot. Keep picking up the paper to read about the candidates Booker is running against and others who will appear on the June 7 ballot.