Denise Rushing, pictured here at home on her Upper Lake farm, said this week she'll seek reelection to the Board of Supervisors in 2010. File photo.

UPPER LAKE – District 3 Supervisor Denise Rushing said this week that she will seek reelection.

Rushing, 51, currently is in her first term on the Board of Supervisors, and in 2009 served as board chair. She was elected in 2006.

“The opportunity to represent District 3 is an honor,” Rushing said in a statement she issued to Lake County News.

Rushing's seat, along with that of District 2 Supervisor Jeff Smith, will be on the June 8 ballot. In the case runoff elections become necessary, they will be decided in November.

She said she's seeking another term because “there is so much more to do.”

Rushing pointed to a need to continue working on several issues, including fostering a healthy local economy, creating jobs, encouraging local food security and energy efficiency, improving the health of Clear Lake via Middle Creek wetlands restoration and watershed management, and much more.

The board and the community have many successes they can celebrate, Rushing said.

Those successes range from preserving Mt. Konocti, to completion of the county's new general plan of development, to the installation of more than three megawatts of solar energy projects – including one of the largest in the Western U.S. – as well as economic revitalization efforts on the Northshore.

Rushing holds an engineering degree from Stanford University, and a master's degree in culture and spirituality from Holy Names University.

She's spent two decades working for energy and technology companies around Northern California, where she was born and raised.

Rushing is a mother of two grown children, and lives on an 11-acre organic farm in Upper Lake with her partner, Loretta McCarthy.

To see Rushing's full statement on her plans to seek reelection, click here: Rushing: There is more work to do together .

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Go Denise...
written by herb, January 07, 2010

We are glad you're staying
Listen to Denise on my show on KPFZ 88.1 FM this Saturday at 5.

YES - YES - YES
written by 3jsxn, January 07, 2010

Thanks Denise. You have done much, but there is so much more to do. The North Shore is looking better and your efforts have been appreciated. I welcome another term with your expertise and concern for our communities.

Wow....it doesn't get better than this!
written by rtnc, January 07, 2010

District 3 and the county is so fortunate to have this woman as a supervisor. The thought of Denise sitting in that chair for another four years is exhilarating to say the least! Thank you so much for your exemplary service, Denise!

Chuck Lamb

Great Job
written by a guest, January 07, 2010

keep perspective with faith and love.

...
written by Mike Benjamin, January 07, 2010

I join my neighbors in applauding Supervisor Rushing's decision to seek another term as our representative to the Board of Supervisors of Lake County.

Much has been accomplished for our area during her first term and I'm sure we can look forward to continued progress during the next.

One project of continuing significance in the Clearlake Oaks community is the funding of the new Live Oak Senior Citizen's Center. I know that Denise will work especially hard to assure that this project is brought to full funding and fruition by the County.

Denise enjoys my continued support for her efforts on our behalf.


M. J. (Mike) Benjamin

thank you...
written by smurf, January 07, 2010

Denise for all you have done for district three and the entire county, you have raised the bar at the BOS in EVERY respect, and the county is tangably better because of your efforts. With another four years for you to work on our problems we should all be more optimistic about our future, which we know will be better thanks to your hard work, leadership and wisdom.

I don't
written by tom, January 07, 2010

live in her district, but I will be contributing to her campaign. This supervisor defines the term "leadership". She is out in front on so many issues that require some vision and a sense of the future. Unfortunately, my supervisor is just a good ole boy who ran for office because it rounds out his resume. He sits like a log in chambers, letting issues come to him, then reacts. Go Denise!

all I can say is
written by lenny, January 07, 2010

THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH!

hurray!
written by vbrandon, January 07, 2010

All of a sudden Lake County's future looks a whole lot brighter: we're going to continue to have the leadership we need to become the best we can be. I'm only sorry that as a south county resident I won't be able to vote for her

Victoria Brandon

I give this to you.
written by James, January 07, 2010

The blind are not the only ones that can't see.

tom
written by Grace OMalley, January 07, 2010

just described the other four supervisors

just a good ole boy who ran for office because it rounds out his resume.

PS: please endorse
written by vbrandon, January 07, 2010

It's great to see all these positive remarks: would supporter please also take a minute to go to
http://www.drushing.com/endorse1.htm
to give Denise your personal endorsement

Support
written by a guest, January 07, 2010

from outside the district is great and shows the diversity, and coming together in Lake County. But you have to wonder why the reverse carpetbagging. Just a practical question. I like Nancy Pelosi and always voted for the Burton Machine, but I am out of the district and am not a constituent. Have to ask why the overwhelming support from out of the district.

Outstanding!
written by SNLaFaver, January 07, 2010

Thank you, Denise, for your service to Lake County! Your leadership is essential, and represents the best of what political women have to offer this county. You've got my endorsement!

YAHOO!
written by That Redneck, January 07, 2010

Denise has brought a lot of good to her community by caring for it and watching out for it. I believe she adds a lot of common sense and real thinking to an elected position which is incredibly rare. You rock, Denise, we will definitely vote for you.

Well guest, my guess is that
written by Donna Christopher, January 07, 2010

a good leader who is responsive to her constituents; works really hard at her job and has the ability to 'think outside the box' has become such a rarity that a broad swath of people just want to state that they appreciate it.

Granted, they are few and far between, but there are politicians in other states whose work is appreciated by non-residents. I find Ron Paul & Dennis Kucinich fascinating in their ideas for how to make America something we want to pass on to our children. Kucinich to Paul - that covers a mighty broad spectrum

Supes represent us ALL.
written by chezking, January 08, 2010

Aside from the obvious facts that Ms Rushing is a rare species in politics, with her intelligence, civility and a vision of her role in the greater good, it should be said the BOS affects us ALL.

There's a little dance that occurs anytime we have a can't-sweep-it-under-the-rug problem that will incur expense, the "starve the beast" members of the Board will allow the other members vote to approve projects so that they might stay unsullied by actually spending money on essential services. Notably, Ed Robey, tired of the 3/2 splits, once held his vote on a M'twn project until that supervisor actually cast his vote in support. Good leadership helps us all, and while all politics is local, don't think too local. A decision by the Clearlake City Council or the Lucerne School Board can have lasting regional effects.

Answering -Why the support from outside Denise's district?
written by herb, January 08, 2010

Because all 5 supervisors vote on everything that goes on in all the districts. We only get to vote for one supervisor to represent the geographical area we live in but every issue that comes up gets voted on by all of them. I live in Denise's district but Rob, Tony, Jeff and Jim's votes all effect me just as much as hers.

Wait and se
written by zackhack, January 08, 2010

With the upcoming "Helecopter fiasco" coming to a forefront will she take the high road or throw in with the Good Old Boyz? Perhaps she will see that justice is done, the taxpayers don't get screwed --again-- and she puts the heat on Farrington to continue the welcome transpariency in board actions.
I'll with hold judgement for a while thanx

From one of her neighbors...
written by rural_gal, January 09, 2010

My husband and I are recent transplants to Lake County (1-1/2 years ago) and are delighted to live nearby Denise. Both of our work schedules have not yet allowed for a visit as neighbors, but I have had the privilege of seeing her in action as a Board member, as well as collaborating with her on a range of issues. Her deep concern for our community, her well-reasoned insight, and indefatigable willingness to simultaneously tackle many of its challenges has shown me that Denise is a really intelligent, well-balanced, multi-tasking wonder of a woman. We are lucky to have her in our midst, and even luckier that she is willing to serve the public's interests. What more can you ask of a leader? I whole-heartedly support her reelection and will be honored to have the opportunity to cast my vote for her!