There is an unprecedented crisis in confidence at both the national and state levels in the fair and independent conduct of elections. We must restore confidence, integrity, and independence in democratic government - and we can start right here in California by electing State Senator Debra Bowen as our next Secretary of State in 2006.

Ever since she was first elected to the State Legislature in 1992, Debra Bowen has been a pioneer in government reform, consumer protection and privacy rights, environmental conservation, and open government. She also is a leading women's advocate, fighting for equality in the workplace and in government, child care, health care and civil rights.

Bowen - as a woman with an incredibly strong record of accomplishment and independence who has been victorious in tough electoral battles in swing districts - is an excellent candidate to be the next California Secretary of State. There isn't even one female constitutional officeholder representing California - and Bowen, based on her record, is a perfect fit for this office.

Bowen has earned attention in the media throughout the state as an effective and independent voice for reform, open government and consumer advocacy. She has declined to accept gifts since taking office, was the first California lawmaker to be accessible through her own state e-mail address (1993), was the first California lawmaker to put up her own government web page (1995), and the first California lawmaker to put her campaign finance reports on the web (August 1995).