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Danville resident Elizabeth Emken seeks Republican nomination
Danville resident Elizabeth Emken, 46, also announced her candidacy for Rep. Jerry McNerney's congressional seat.
Emken says she believes she's the best candidate for the job because of her considerable involvement in the legislative process. Through her 17-year-old son, Alex, who has autism, Emken said she has pounded the pavement, taking many pieces of legislation from their formation into becoming law.
"I'm very prepared for the job," she said.
Her advocacy on behalf of autistic children has made her familiar with health, insurance, education and small-business issues, Emken said.
Until declaring her candidacy on Monday, Emken was vice president for government relations at Autism Speaks, which she describes as the nation's largest science and advocacy organization devoted to autism.
Emken graduated from UCLA in 1984 with a degree in economics and political science. Prior to her professional involvement with the autism cause, Emken focused on field management, cost and financial analysis, and corporate operations at IBM Corp.
Emken said she strongly opposes the federal stimulus package and climate change and cap-and-trade legislation.
In addition to her son, Emken's family includes her husband, Craig Swartz, and daughters, Hayleigh and Emmaleigh.
For more information, visit www.emken2010.com.
Contact reporter Ross Farrow at rossf@lodinews.com.

Reader Feedback
Mrs. S. wrote on Oct 20, 2009 9:18 PM:
McNerney doesn't connect with the concerns of many of his constituents, and there are elements of the health care bill written by Rahm Emanuel's brother that concern me re: how disabled people will be treated. However, since McNerney will do whatever Pelosi tells him, the voices of people with disabled family members won't be heard.
It also helps that this woman lives in Danville. Lots of 11th District residents live in the Bay Area. "
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