SAN RAFAEL – Mark Leno's campaign for State Senate today announced Dr. Susan Adams, who represents the 1^st District on the Marin County Board of Supervisors, is a women's health nurse practitioner, and has worked extensively to bring greater community health and wellness programs to Marin, has endorsed his candidacy, citing Leno's commitment to single-payer, comprehensive, universal health care.

"Mark Leno shares the progressive democratic values we treasure in the North Bay," said Marin County Supervisor Susan Adams.  "As co-author of single payer, universal health care, Mark has built a proud track record of progressive leadership in the Legislature, and I am proud to announce my support for him today.  Mark will bring our issues to the table."

"As a nurse practitioner, Supervisor Susan Adams has seen first hand, the damage our broken health care system has done to our families and communities," said Assemblyman Mark Leno.  "I have great respect for the work she's doing to improve the quality of health care and ensure access for everyone.  I'm proud Supervisor Adams has endorsed me for State Senate, and I look forward to working with her on the progressive ideals North Bay holds dear."

Assemblyman Mark Leno has authored landmark measures on the health care, the environment, solar energy, safer schools, foster youth education, and civil rights.  Leno has worked tirelessly to make higher education affordable and accessible, as well as provide much-needed funding for important infrastructure projects.  Much like Supervisor Susan Adams, Leno has been an outspoken proponent of single payer, universal health care, and he was principle co-author of SB 840 (Kuehl), The California Universal Healthcare Act.

In the 3^rd Senate District democratic primary, Leno faces incumbent Carole Migden and former Assemblyman Joe Nation.  The district includes all of Marin County, southern Sonoma County, and the eastern portion of San Francisco.  Supervisor Susan Adams previously endorsed incumbent Senator Migden for re-election, and she is maintaining that previous commitment. 

"Leno's inclusionary leadership style and his ability to bridge differences has earned him the respect of his colleagues, community leaders and constituents," said Adams.  "He will get the people of our district a seat at the table so that our values are heard in Sacramento."

As a County Supervisor, Susan Adams also serves on a number of boards and commissions, including the Children's Health Initiative Task Force, the Bay Area Partnership for Children and Youth, and the National Association of Counties, where she serves as Chair of the MedicAid Committee. She has also worked on improving access to healthcare for all through the Health and Wellness Campus located in the Canal neighborhood of San Rafael, and she has helped develop a mentally ill offender's court.

Adams' endorsement adds more momentum to Leno's campaign that has received the recently-announced endorsements of Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey and organizations such as the California Professional Firefighters (CPF), California Teachers Association (CTA), California Federation of Teachers (CFT), California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA), Democracy For America (DFA), Progressive Democrats of Sonoma County, as well as the United Auto Workers Region 5. 

#  #  #