Q&A: David Haubert, Alameda County Supervisor Candidate

ALAMEDA COUNTY, CA — Alameda County Supervisor District 1 candidate David Haubert makes his case to voters ahead of the November election in a Q&A with Patch:

Age (as of Election Day)

52

Town/City of Residence

Dublin

Party affiliation (not needed in non-partisan races, including county, city and school offices)

Independent / No Party Affiliation

Family

My wife, Michele, and I have been married for nearly 30 wonderful years. We are so proud of the kind, honest, hard-working young women our 3 daughters—Katelyn, Karissa, and Courtney—have become.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

My brother, Doug Haubert, has served as the Long Beach City Prosecutor since 2012.

Education

I worked my way through college while attending Cal State Northridge, and graduated in 1991 with a B.A. in Business Finance. I went on to earn my MBA from UCLA in 1997.

Occupation

Dublin Mayor; 18 years of elected service in local government

Campaign website

www.davidhaubert.com

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

My engagement in public service began as a decision to take a more proactive approach to my daughters’ education by volunteering on their school’s Site Council, where I served as Chairman for two years. I have served Dublin in elected office since 2002: for 10 years on the Dublin Unified School District Board of Trustees as the President and a member, for 2 years as a Dublin City Council Member, and the past 6 years as Dublin mayor.

The single most pressing issue facing our (state, district, community, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

It is critical that we address the rise of homelessness in our communities. My approach to this issue would be fair but firm by providing shelter, job training, and treating the individual needs of mental illness and drug addictions.

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

I am the only independent-minded candidate in this race, not beholden to any party. I have a track record of working with both sides of the aisle, which is why I am the only candidate to be endorsed by both Republican and Democrat leaders. I am proud to be the most experienced candidate with 18 years of public service to our local community. I am also the only candidate with mayoral and school board experience. My independent voice would bring a fresh perspective and balance to the Alameda County Board of Supervisors.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

My other top priorities are tackling traffic congestion, making way for affordable housing, supporting our schools, and fighting to lower the tax and regulatory burden on families and businesses.

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

During my 10 years on the Dublin Unified School District Board of Trustees, I am proud that we accomplished improved district-wide test scores while maintaining a balanced budget, avoiding teacher layoffs, and upgrading classroom technology and infrastructure.

While on the Dublin City Council and as Dublin Mayor, I have pioneered efforts to reduce residential density, invest in the city’s aging parks, and attract new businesses to the region. Under my leadership as mayor, Dublin has been named one of the only cities in California with no debt and no unfunded pension liabilities. I have kept a balanced budget for 18 years, and plan to enforce this same, strict fiscal discipline at the county level.

If you win this position, what accomplishment would make your term in office as a success?

I will consider it a success when we no longer have people sleeping on the streets, no longer see garbage from homeless camps littering our communities and harming the environment, and make dozens more beds available in treatment centers to help those with substance addictions or mental health problems.

Why should voters trust you?

I am proud of the trust voters have continued to place in me over the past 18 years—but I believe that serving in elected office should mean holistic service to the community, not just winning elections.

To that end, I serve on the board of a variety of our community organizations such as the Alameda County Mayor’s Association, League of California Cities, Alameda County Transportation Commission (ACTC), Livermore Amador Valley Transportation Authority (LAVTA), Alameda County Local Area Formation Commission (LAFCO), Anka Behavioral Health Inc. Board of Directors, Dublin United Soccer League Board of Directors, Hope Hospice Advisory Board, and Easter Seals Bay Area Finance Committee.

My approach to public service is rooted in my extensive, real-world, private sector experience—my goal in any office is to reduce bureaucracy and in turn increase efficiency in delivering public services. In leading sales and marketing teams at several national manufacturers and retailers, I understand the challenges businesses face and what they need to succeed. My industry leadership now allows me to advise CEOs to help them grow their businesses, creating more jobs and investing back into our community.

What are your views on fiscal policy, government spending and the use of taxpayer dollars in the office you are seeking?

I am exceedingly proud that under my leadership as mayor, Dublin has been named one of the only cities in California with no debt and no unfunded pension liabilities. I have kept a balanced budget for 18 years, and plan to enforce this same, strict fiscal discipline at the county level.

Is there any reason you would not serve your full term of office, other than those of health or family?

No

The best advice ever shared with me was ...

Always do the right thing, even when no one is watching.

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

Any success I’ve had in public office is due to faithful partnership with the community. Honest discussions with you lead to the best solutions, and community input will continue to be what guides my priorities.

View opponent Vinnie Bacon's Q&A here.