Key Facts
Background
Al Jabbar received a B.A. in marketing from California State University, Fullerton, before earning his Master of Public Administration from California State University, Long Beach [1]. Jabbar has served as the President of Anaheim Union High School District since 2013, and has worked as Deputy Chief of Staff for the Office of Orange County Supervisor Doug Chaffee for three years [2]. He previously served on the Anaheim Cultural & Heritage Commission, as a board member for the Orange County Employees Association, and as the President of the Sri Lanka Muslim Association of California. He has also worked as a Manager for the Orange County Health Care Agency. Jabbar was born and raised in Sri Lanka, before moving to Orange County as a teenager and is the first Sri Lankan-American to hold a position of public office in the United States [1].
Key Issues
Transparency
Jabbar wants to increase transparency regarding the decision-making process for local government issues [1, 5].
Transportation
Jabbar has worked as a community organizer to advocate for safer routes to elementary school and new community parking solutions [1]. He wants to expand public transit and increase bike-ability and walkability [6].
Economy
Jabbar wants to provide support for small businesses and create good-paying jobs [1]. He wants to increase access to job training programs [6].
Budget
Jabbar supports a gate tax on entertainment venues and increasing corporate taxes [6].
Public Safety
Jabbar wants to invest in community policing measures and increase accountability from law enforcement [1, 5].
Homelessness
Jabbar wants to increase access to healthcare and mental health services [1, 5].
Housing
Jabbar wants to develop an inclusionary housing policy, partner with developers, and provide incentives for first time homebuyers [6].
Infrastructure
Jabbar wants to invest in local streets, sidewalks, libraries, parks, water and sewage systems, and community centers [1, 6].
Campaign Finance
Jabbar supports implementing stricter disclosure on PACs and special interest campaign spending. He wants to establish an independent community-based committee to oversee city business deals [6].
Endorsements
Democratic Party of Orange County; The Orange County Register; Orange County Labor Federation (AFL-CIO); Orange County Young Democrats; Community Action Fund of Planned Parenthood Orange and San Bernardino Counties; UFCW Union Local 324; AFSCME Union Local 3930; Anaheim Municipal Employees Association; Orange County Action; Moms Demand Action; Veterans Alliance of Orange County; Katie Porter, United States Congressmember (CA:45); Mike Levin, United States Congressmember (CA:49); Josh Newman, California State Senator (SD:29); Tom Umberg, California State Senator (SD:34); Dave Min, California State Senator (SD:37); Sharon Quirk-Silva, California Assemblymember (AD:65); Doug Chaffee, Orange County Supervisor; Katrina Foley, Orange County Supervisor; Mark Lopez, President, Anaheim Elementary School District Board of Trustees; Jackie Filbeck, Anaheim Elementary School District Trustee; Juan Gabriel Álvarez, Anaheim Elementary School District Trustee; Dr. Jose Paolo Magcalas, Anaheim Elementary School District Trustee; Ryan Ruelas, Anaheim Elementary School District Trustee; Elizabeth Gonzalez, Centralia Elementary School District Trustee; Luis Flores, Centralia Elementary School District Trustee; Farrah Khan, Irvine Mayor; Jessie Lopez, Santa Ana Councilmember; Tiffany Ackley, Aliso Viejo Councilmember
Sources
1 Official Website
2 LinkedIn
3 Ballotpedia
4 Anaheim Observer
5 Official Candidate Statement
6 The Orance County Register
7 Twittere
8 Voice of OC