Peter I Ohtaki

[{"question": "Ballotpedia survey responses", "answer_html": "<p>See also: <a href=\"/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\">Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection</a></p>\n<div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-10 col-md-6 col-xs-offset-1 col-md-offset-3\"><p><a href=\"https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\"><img align=\"middle\" alt=\"Candidate Connection\" src=\"https://cdn.ballotpedia.org/images/8/88/Candidate_Connection_Logo.png\" width=\"90%\"/></a></p></div></div>\n<p>Peter Ohtaki completed <a href=\"/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\">Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection</a> survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Ohtaki's responses.</p>\n<p><span class=\"expand-all\">Expand all</span> | <span class=\"collapse-all\">Collapse all</span></p>\n<div aria-multiselectable=\"true\" class=\"panel-group\" id=\"accordion\" role=\"tablist\"><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-bio-211878-2024-01-04\" id=\"heading-bio-211878-2024-01-04\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-bio-211878-2024-01-04\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-bio-211878-2024-01-04\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWho are you? Tell us about yourself.\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading-bio-211878-2024-01-04\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-bio-211878-2024-01-04\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI grew up in Menlo Park, and am raising my family in this Congressional district . Silicon Valley thrives because it reinvents itself, and we don’t let ideology prevent innovative solutions. My problem-solving experience includes economics and finance, national/homeland security, and community leader:\r\n<p>Local Leadership\r\n•\tFormer Mayor, Menlo Park Councilmember\r\n•\tSan Mateo County Transportation Agency Advisory Committee \r\n•\tPresident, Menlo Park Fire District Board of Directors\r\n</p><p>National/Homeland Security\r\n•\tCo-Chair, National Infrastructure Protection Plan, U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security\r\n•\tExecutive Director, California Resiliency Alliance \r\n•\tBusiness Executives for National Security\r\n</p><p>Economics/Finance\r\n•\tCrisis management executive for major bank\r\n•\tCo-Founder/CFO of a tech startup\r\n•\tHarvard BA Economics, Stanford MBA Finance\r\n</p>\n</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-211878-2024-01-04\" id=\"heading-key-message-211878-2024-01-04\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-key-message-211878-2024-01-04\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-211878-2024-01-04\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tPlease list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading-key-message-211878-2024-01-04\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-key-message-211878-2024-01-04\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\"><ul><li>I’m running because I’m fed up that Congress is broken. It’s so polarized that each party is obsessed with making the other party look bad, rather than solve major issues facing our nation! We deserve better representation. Most other candidates are career politicians who tow their party line and dare not risk reaching across the aisle. Partisan gridlock rules, so major issues go unsolved. Most Americans are in the sensible middle yet have no voice in Congress. Voting for a career politician will only continue gridlock in Congress. I grew up here - Silicon Valley thrives because it reinvents itself, and we don’t let ideology prevent innovative solutions. I’ll work across the aisle on innovative solutions to issues facing our nation,</li><li>Pick Peter if inflation has caused you to live paycheck to paycheck. Do I pay for groceries or gas to get to work? This isn't just about numbers; it's about real struggles. Inflation not only erodes our quality of life, but also had made it even harder for small businesses to survive. With an economics degree from Harvard, I know deficit spending over the last 15 years has caused inflation. Federal debt was $16 trillion before the pandemic and is now $35 Trillion – more than our annual GNP. Interest payments will exceed defense spending next year. It’s about analyzing which programs work, and cutting those that don’t. Congress doesn’t understand financial analysis! As a \"numbers guy\", I've balanced budgets and made tough decisions.</li><li>Pick Peter to ensure our nation’s security, and to stand by Israel against Iran-backed terrorists. Pick Peter to secure our border as part of comprehensive immigration reform. For our national security, we must stand by Israel against Iran-backed terrorists. History shows this conflict is part of a much broader conflict between Iran, who funds and equips Hamas, Hezbollah and Houthi terrorist armies, all determined to eliminate Israel. The U.S. must act as a deterrent to Iran and Hezbollah to prevent this war from escalating throughout the Middle East. Israel has a right to defend itself after the atrocities committed by Hamas on October 7 – 50 years after Egypt and Syria attacked Israel in the 1973 Yom Kippur War. There’s no question that I</li></ul></span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-211878-2024-01-04\" id=\"heading1-211878-2024-01-04\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse1-211878-2024-01-04\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-211878-2024-01-04\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading1-211878-2024-01-04\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse1-211878-2024-01-04\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tPick Peter if you’re frustrated about partisan gridlock in Washington, DC. I’ll work across the aisle on innovative solutions to issues facing our nation, as I did as Menlo Park’s Mayor. <br/><br/>\n<p>Pick Peter if inflation has caused you to live paycheck to paycheck. <br/><br/>\r\nPick Peter if you’re worried about rising crime and fentanyl overdoses. Pick Peter if you support common sense gun laws.<br/><br/>\r\nPick Peter to ensure our nation’s security, and to stand by Israel against Iran-backed terrorists. Pick Peter to secure our border as part of comprehensive immigration reform.<br/><br/>\r\nPick Peter if you believe climate incentives are more powerful than mandates. <br/><br/>\r\nPick Peter so Asians have a voice.<br/><br/>\n</p>\nPick Peter to restore parental control and honors courses.<br/></span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse2-211878-2024-01-04\" id=\"heading2-211878-2024-01-04\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse2-211878-2024-01-04\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse2-211878-2024-01-04\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading2-211878-2024-01-04\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse2-211878-2024-01-04\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tGathering endorsements now.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div></div>\n<div class=\"small\" data-nosnippet=\"\"><p><i><b>Note:</b> Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.</i></p></div>", "answer_text": "See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection\n\nPeter Ohtaki completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Ohtaki's responses.\nExpand all | Collapse all\nWho are you? Tell us about yourself. I grew up in Menlo Park, and am raising my family in this Congressional district . Silicon Valley thrives because it reinvents itself, and we don’t let ideology prevent innovative solutions. My problem-solving experience includes economics and finance, national/homeland security, and community leader: Local Leadership\r\n•\tFormer Mayor, Menlo Park Councilmember\r\n•\tSan Mateo County Transportation Agency Advisory Committee \r\n•\tPresident, Menlo Park Fire District Board of Directors National/Homeland Security\r\n•\tCo-Chair, National Infrastructure Protection Plan, U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security\r\n•\tExecutive Director, California Resiliency Alliance \r\n•\tBusiness Executives for National Security Economics/Finance\r\n•\tCrisis management executive for major bank\r\n•\tCo-Founder/CFO of a tech startup\r\n•\tHarvard BA Economics, Stanford MBA Finance Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office? I’m running because I’m fed up that Congress is broken. It’s so polarized that each party is obsessed with making the other party look bad, rather than solve major issues facing our nation! We deserve better representation. Most other candidates are career politicians who tow their party line and dare not risk reaching across the aisle. Partisan gridlock rules, so major issues go unsolved. Most Americans are in the sensible middle yet have no voice in Congress. Voting for a career politician will only continue gridlock in Congress. I grew up here - Silicon Valley thrives because it reinvents itself, and we don’t let ideology prevent innovative solutions. I’ll work across the aisle on innovative solutions to issues facing our nation, Pick Peter if inflation has caused you to live paycheck to paycheck. Do I pay for groceries or gas to get to work? This isn't just about numbers; it's about real struggles. Inflation not only erodes our quality of life, but also had made it even harder for small businesses to survive. With an economics degree from Harvard, I know deficit spending over the last 15 years has caused inflation. Federal debt was $16 trillion before the pandemic and is now $35 Trillion – more than our annual GNP. Interest payments will exceed defense spending next year. It’s about analyzing which programs work, and cutting those that don’t. Congress doesn’t understand financial analysis! As a \"numbers guy\", I've balanced budgets and made tough decisions. Pick Peter to ensure our nation’s security, and to stand by Israel against Iran-backed terrorists. Pick Peter to secure our border as part of comprehensive immigration reform. For our national security, we must stand by Israel against Iran-backed terrorists. History shows this conflict is part of a much broader conflict between Iran, who funds and equips Hamas, Hezbollah and Houthi terrorist armies, all determined to eliminate Israel. The U.S. must act as a deterrent to Iran and Hezbollah to prevent this war from escalating throughout the Middle East. Israel has a right to defend itself after the atrocities committed by Hamas on October 7 – 50 years after Egypt and Syria attacked Israel in the 1973 Yom Kippur War. There’s no question that I What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? Pick Peter if you’re frustrated about partisan gridlock in Washington, DC. I’ll work across the aisle on innovative solutions to issues facing our nation, as I did as Menlo Park’s Mayor. Pick Peter if inflation has caused you to live paycheck to paycheck. Pick Peter if you’re worried about rising crime and fentanyl overdoses. Pick Peter if you support common sense gun laws. Pick Peter to ensure our nation’s security, and to stand by Israel against Iran-backed terrorists. Pick Peter to secure our border as part of comprehensive immigration reform. Pick Peter if you believe climate incentives are more powerful than mandates. Pick Peter so Asians have a voice. Pick Peter to restore parental control and honors courses. What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign? Gathering endorsements now.\nNote: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it."}, {"question": "Campaign website", "answer_html": "<p>Ohtaki’s campaign website stated the following:\n</p>\n<div style=\"height:400px;overflow:scroll;border:1px solid gray;margin:20px;padding:10px;\">\n<table data-nosnippet=\"\" style=\"border-collapse: collapse; border: none;background-color: transparent; auto; ;\">\n<tbody><tr>\n<td style=\"border:none; color:#B2B7F2;font-size:35px;font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: bold; text-align: left; padding: 10px 3px;\" valign=\"top\" width=\"20\">“\n</td>\n<td style=\"border: none; padding: 4px 10px;\" valign=\"top\">\n<p><b>Fed up with Congress?</b> Congress is broken, and we deserve better. Career politicians tow their party line and dare not risk reaching across the aisle. <b>Partisan gridlock rules</b>, so major issues go unsolved. Most Americans are in the sensible middle yet have no voice in Congress.\n</p><p>Voting for a career politician will only continue gridlock in Congress.\n</p><p>I grew up here - <b>Silicon Valley thrives</b> because it reinvents itself, and we don’t let ideology prevent innovative solutions. I have experience in finance, national/homeland security, and community leadership. I co-founded a tech start-up and a non-profit. I hold an economics degree from Harvard, and an MBA in Finance from Stanford.\n</p><p><b>Pick Peter</b> if you’re frustrated about partisan gridlock in Washington, DC. I’ll work across the aisle on innovative solutions to the issues facing our nation, as I did as Menlo Park’s Mayor.\n</p><p><b>Pick Peter</b> if inflation has caused you to live paycheck to paycheck.\n</p><p><b>Pick Peter</b> if you’re worried about rising crime and fentanyl overdoses. Pick Peter if you support common sense gun laws.\n</p><p><b>Pick Peter</b> to ensure our nation’s security, and to stand by Israel against Iran-backed terrorists.\n</p><p><b>Pick Peter</b> to secure our border as part of comprehensive immigration reform.\n</p><p><b>Pick Peter</b> if you believe climate incentives are more powerful than mandates.\n</p><p><b>Pick Peter</b> so Asian-Americans have a voice in Congress.<sup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-quotedisclaimer_7-0\"><a href=\"#cite_note-quotedisclaimer-7\">[7]</a></sup>\n</p>\n</td>\n<td style=\"border: none; color: #B2B7F2; font-size: 35px; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: bold; text-align: right; padding: 10px 1px;\" valign=\"bottom\" width=\"20\">”\n</td></tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"cquotecite\" colspan=\"3\" style=\"border: none; padding-right: 4%\"><cite style=\"font-style: normal;font-size: smaller; float: right;\">—Peter Ohtaki’s campaign website (2024)<sup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-8\"><a href=\"#cite_note-8\">[8]</a></sup></cite>\n</td></tr></tbody></table>\n</div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"></div>\n<p>Peter Ohtaki did not complete <a href=\"/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\">Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection</a> survey.\n</p>", "answer_text": "Ohtaki’s campaign website stated the following:\n“ Fed up with Congress? Congress is broken, and we deserve better. Career politicians tow their party line and dare not risk reaching across the aisle. Partisan gridlock rules , so major issues go unsolved. Most Americans are in the sensible middle yet have no voice in Congress. Voting for a career politician will only continue gridlock in Congress. I grew up here - Silicon Valley thrives because it reinvents itself, and we don’t let ideology prevent innovative solutions. I have experience in finance, national/homeland security, and community leadership. I co-founded a tech start-up and a non-profit. I hold an economics degree from Harvard, and an MBA in Finance from Stanford. Pick Peter if you’re frustrated about partisan gridlock in Washington, DC. I’ll work across the aisle on innovative solutions to the issues facing our nation, as I did as Menlo Park’s Mayor. Pick Peter if inflation has caused you to live paycheck to paycheck. Pick Peter if you’re worried about rising crime and fentanyl overdoses. Pick Peter if you support common sense gun laws. Pick Peter to ensure our nation’s security, and to stand by Israel against Iran-backed terrorists. Pick Peter to secure our border as part of comprehensive immigration reform. Pick Peter if you believe climate incentives are more powerful than mandates. Pick Peter so Asian-Americans have a voice in Congress. [7] ” —Peter Ohtaki’s campaign website (2024) [8]\n\nPeter Ohtaki did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey."}, {"question": "Campaign website", "answer_html": "<p>Ohtaki's campaign website stated the following:\n</p>\n<div style=\"height:400px;overflow:scroll;border:1px solid gray;margin:20px;padding:10px;\">\n<table data-nosnippet=\"\" style=\"border-collapse: collapse; border: none;background-color: transparent; auto; ;\">\n<tbody><tr>\n<td style=\"border:none; color:#B2B7F2;font-size:35px;font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: bold; text-align: left; padding: 10px 3px;\" valign=\"top\" width=\"20\">“\n</td>\n<td style=\"border: none; padding: 4px 10px;\" valign=\"top\">\n<p>As your Congressional Representative, I will:\n</p>\n<ul><li><b>Control inflation</b> - As a Harvard grad in economics, I'll focus on rising inflation's root cause: our nation's $30 trillion debt. Gas prices are skyrocketing - we must suspend gas taxes.</li>\n<li><b>Secure our streets</b> - As both a dad and a former Mayor, I'm worried about rising crime, including “smash and grab” looting and violence against Asians. We must prosecute criminals and fund the police to keep our neighborhoods safe.</li>\n<li><b>Preserve our Neighborhoods</b> - As a Peninsula native, I know we must protect our family-friendly neighborhoods from SB9/10 that ends single-family zoning and overrides local control. As a former Mayor, I’ve learned one-size-fits-all unfunded state mandates leave cities holding the bill for infrastructure improvements to schools and transit. If elected, I’d propose the “Preservation of Neighborhoods, Local Control, and the American Dream Act”.</li>\n<li><b>Fight for our fair share of transportation funding</b> - Silicon Valley relies on a 160-year-old train line for its mass transit. California only gets 5% of the bipartisan $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill, yet we're 12% of the nation's population! Our Congressional representative should be fighting for billions from to relieve traffic congestion with grade separations and cross-bay rail linking BART with Caltrain.</li>\n<li><b>Support freedom</b> - As the only candidate with national/homeland security experience, I know we must equip Ukrainian resistance. China wants Taiwan; they are watching how we respond to Russia.</li>\n<li><b>Oppose mandates</b> - The extended COVID-19 lockdown decimated our small businesses and kept schools closed unnecessarily. Freedom from mandates.<sup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-quotedisclaimer_7-1\"><a href=\"#cite_note-quotedisclaimer-7\">[7]</a></sup></li></ul>\n</td>\n<td style=\"border: none; color: #B2B7F2; font-size: 35px; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: bold; text-align: right; padding: 10px 1px;\" valign=\"bottom\" width=\"20\">”\n</td></tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"cquotecite\" colspan=\"3\" style=\"border: none; padding-right: 4%\"><cite style=\"font-style: normal;font-size: smaller; float: right;\">—Peter Ohtaki's campaign website (2022)<sup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-9\"><a href=\"#cite_note-9\">[9]</a></sup></cite>\n</td></tr></tbody></table>\n</div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"></div>\n<div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-10 col-md-6 col-xs-offset-1 col-md-offset-3\"><p><a href=\"https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\"><img align=\"middle\" alt=\"Candidate Connection\" src=\"https://cdn.ballotpedia.org/images/8/88/Candidate_Connection_Logo.png\" width=\"90%\"/></a></p></div></div>\n<p>Peter Ohtaki completed <a href=\"/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\">Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection</a> survey in 2020. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Ohtaki's responses.</p>\n<p><span class=\"expand-all\">Expand all</span> | <span class=\"collapse-all\">Collapse all</span></p>\n<div aria-multiselectable=\"true\" class=\"panel-group\" id=\"accordion\" role=\"tablist\"><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-bio-70925-2020-02-26\" id=\"heading-bio-70925-2020-02-26\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-bio-70925-2020-02-26\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-bio-70925-2020-02-26\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWho are you? Tell us about yourself.\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading-bio-70925-2020-02-26\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-bio-70925-2020-02-26\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tPeter grew up in Menlo Park, attending both La Entrada Middle School and Woodside High School. He graduated with a B.A. in Economics, magna cum laude, from Harvard University and an M.B.A. from Stanford University's Graduate School of Business. Peter and his wife have three children in local public schools.\n<p>Peter was elected to the Menlo Park City Council in 2010 and re-elected in 2014. In 2013 and 2018, he additionally served as Mayor. After years of deficits, Peter helped balance Menlo Park's budget in 2011 by paying down an unfunded pension liability that was costing about $800k each year, saving taxpayers $3.6 million in interest expense. He proposed a compromise to balance the city's 2015-16 budget, earning the reputation as the \"numbers guy\" and a bi-partisan problem solver.\n</p><p>As Mayor in 2013, Peter led the city's first Housing Element since 1994, which enabled 1,134 housing units including the first apartments built in Menlo Park since the 1970s. He worked with downtown businesses to approve the El Camino Real/Downtown Specific Plan that is now building housing and office space on decade-long empty car dealership lots and transforming the Guild Theater into a music venue. \n</p>\nAs Mayor in 2018, Peter led the rezoning and revitalization of the light industrial/warehouse Bayfront area into a live-work-play innovation zone. Peter worked with Rich Gordon on legislation (AB1690) that gives cities more flexibility in implementing housing that was signed into law in 2014.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-70925-2020-02-26\" id=\"heading-key-message-70925-2020-02-26\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-key-message-70925-2020-02-26\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-70925-2020-02-26\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tPlease list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading-key-message-70925-2020-02-26\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-key-message-70925-2020-02-26\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\"><ul><li>Stuck in traffic? Peninsula/Valley traffic mitigation? Instead of using the state's $20 billion budget surplus to fund much-needed transportation infrastructure, Sacramento leadership raised your gas tax (SB1), tolls (RM2), and sales taxes in both Santa Clara and San Mateo counties. And Sacramento continues to spend $64 billion for high-speed rail to Bakersfield when most people want to get to work and drop off their kids at soccer practice easier.. </li><li>Sacramento is eroding our local control. SB50 and bills like it will override local zoning to impose 5-story apartments that will dramatically change the character of our communities. State mandates for high-density housing will require our schools to add classrooms, but Sacramento has yet to provide funding for school construction, not to mention additional teachers.</li><li>Sacramento's experiment with \"re-alignment\" by releasing and transferring prisoners to counties has resulted in increasing burglaries and thefts, burdening police, threatening our safety, and tarnishing our quality of life on the Peninsula.</li></ul></span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-70925-2020-02-26\" id=\"heading1-70925-2020-02-26\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse1-70925-2020-02-26\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-70925-2020-02-26\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading1-70925-2020-02-26\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse1-70925-2020-02-26\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tTransportation infrastructure, whether mass transit like Dumbarton Rail or grade separations that separate CalTrain from car traffic. I was appointed to and volunteer on the San Mateo County Transportation Authority Citizens Advisory Committee and have learned how transportation funding works in California.<br/><br/>\n<p>Local control - I believe our cities and counties have the best engagement with residents and are better suited than the state to solve problems like housing, homelessness, and crime.<br/><br/>\n</p>\nEducation - The inequality of education outcomes from different school districts is shocking, and needs to be addressed while we have a budget surplus.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse2-70925-2020-02-26\" id=\"heading2-70925-2020-02-26\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse2-70925-2020-02-26\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse2-70925-2020-02-26\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading2-70925-2020-02-26\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse2-70925-2020-02-26\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tLocal government experience serving 8 years on the Menlo Park City Council including as Mayor in 2013 and 2018.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div></div>\n<div class=\"small\" data-nosnippet=\"\"><p><i><b>Note:</b> Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.</i></p></div>", "answer_text": "Ohtaki's campaign website stated the following:\n“ As your Congressional Representative, I will: Control inflation - As a Harvard grad in economics, I'll focus on rising inflation's root cause: our nation's $30 trillion debt. Gas prices are skyrocketing - we must suspend gas taxes. Secure our streets - As both a dad and a former Mayor, I'm worried about rising crime, including “smash and grab” looting and violence against Asians. We must prosecute criminals and fund the police to keep our neighborhoods safe. Preserve our Neighborhoods - As a Peninsula native, I know we must protect our family-friendly neighborhoods from SB9/10 that ends single-family zoning and overrides local control. As a former Mayor, I’ve learned one-size-fits-all unfunded state mandates leave cities holding the bill for infrastructure improvements to schools and transit. If elected, I’d propose the “Preservation of Neighborhoods, Local Control, and the American Dream Act”. Fight for our fair share of transportation funding - Silicon Valley relies on a 160-year-old train line for its mass transit. California only gets 5% of the bipartisan $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill, yet we're 12% of the nation's population! Our Congressional representative should be fighting for billions from to relieve traffic congestion with grade separations and cross-bay rail linking BART with Caltrain. Support freedom - As the only candidate with national/homeland security experience, I know we must equip Ukrainian resistance. China wants Taiwan; they are watching how we respond to Russia. Oppose mandates - The extended COVID-19 lockdown decimated our small businesses and kept schools closed unnecessarily. Freedom from mandates. [7] ” —Peter Ohtaki's campaign website (2022) [9]\n\n\nPeter Ohtaki completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Ohtaki's responses.\nExpand all | Collapse all\nWho are you? Tell us about yourself. Peter grew up in Menlo Park, attending both La Entrada Middle School and Woodside High School. He graduated with a B.A. in Economics, magna cum laude, from Harvard University and an M.B.A. from Stanford University's Graduate School of Business. Peter and his wife have three children in local public schools. Peter was elected to the Menlo Park City Council in 2010 and re-elected in 2014. In 2013 and 2018, he additionally served as Mayor. After years of deficits, Peter helped balance Menlo Park's budget in 2011 by paying down an unfunded pension liability that was costing about $800k each year, saving taxpayers $3.6 million in interest expense. He proposed a compromise to balance the city's 2015-16 budget, earning the reputation as the \"numbers guy\" and a bi-partisan problem solver. As Mayor in 2013, Peter led the city's first Housing Element since 1994, which enabled 1,134 housing units including the first apartments built in Menlo Park since the 1970s. He worked with downtown businesses to approve the El Camino Real/Downtown Specific Plan that is now building housing and office space on decade-long empty car dealership lots and transforming the Guild Theater into a music venue. As Mayor in 2018, Peter led the rezoning and revitalization of the light industrial/warehouse Bayfront area into a live-work-play innovation zone. Peter worked with Rich Gordon on legislation (AB1690) that gives cities more flexibility in implementing housing that was signed into law in 2014. Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office? Stuck in traffic? Peninsula/Valley traffic mitigation? Instead of using the state's $20 billion budget surplus to fund much-needed transportation infrastructure, Sacramento leadership raised your gas tax (SB1), tolls (RM2), and sales taxes in both Santa Clara and San Mateo counties. And Sacramento continues to spend $64 billion for high-speed rail to Bakersfield when most people want to get to work and drop off their kids at soccer practice easier.. Sacramento is eroding our local control. SB50 and bills like it will override local zoning to impose 5-story apartments that will dramatically change the character of our communities. State mandates for high-density housing will require our schools to add classrooms, but Sacramento has yet to provide funding for school construction, not to mention additional teachers. Sacramento's experiment with \"re-alignment\" by releasing and transferring prisoners to counties has resulted in increasing burglaries and thefts, burdening police, threatening our safety, and tarnishing our quality of life on the Peninsula. What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? Transportation infrastructure, whether mass transit like Dumbarton Rail or grade separations that separate CalTrain from car traffic. I was appointed to and volunteer on the San Mateo County Transportation Authority Citizens Advisory Committee and have learned how transportation funding works in California. Local control - I believe our cities and counties have the best engagement with residents and are better suited than the state to solve problems like housing, homelessness, and crime. Education - The inequality of education outcomes from different school districts is shocking, and needs to be addressed while we have a budget surplus. What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder? Local government experience serving 8 years on the Menlo Park City Council including as Mayor in 2013 and 2018.\nNote: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it."}]