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- "...recently voted... one of the most effective legislators in California" (9/25/06)
- "Exceptional." (2/26/04)
- "...intelligent, savvy, articulate." (2/22/04)
- "...stellar... exceptionally able..." "[An] independent thinker... likely to swim against the current if necessary." (2/20/04)
- "...brainy... issue-oriented... big on education and the environment..." (2/3/04)
- “Joe Simitian (is) one of the clearest-thinking, best prepared candidates of our acquaintance.” (11/5/00)
- “…a creative and independent thinker…in the top rank of candidates…” (10/20/00)
- “With supervisor Joe Simitian stepping down to run for the state Assembly, Santa Clara County’s board is losing its best analytical mind. Simitian, a maverick, will be a tough act to follow.” (2/6/00)
- "Simitian... is a quick study." (9/23/96)
- "Simitian is a proponent of more conservative fiscal management..." (6/12/98)
- "Simitian... strikes us as the brightest and best educated of all this year's county candidates." (3/3/96)
- “As Palo Alto’s Mayor for the past year, Joe Simitian hasn’t been the type to grab headlines with glitzy proposals or cheap shots at opponents. Instead, he has focused on making government work well.” (1/8/96)
- “Good ideas and the wherewithal to pursue them…” (10/22/91)
- "A politician who doesn't act like one... (2/7/10)
- Mr. Simitian is serious about public policy and is something of a maverick. He is willing, on occasion, to offend powerful interest groups... Last year alone, Mr. Simitian was the author of prominent legislation on education reform, water policy and renewable energy... (2/7/10)
- Year after year, he seems to be in the middle of the action on the capital's most important legislation. (2/7/10)
- "...a key player..." (10/18/09)
- "...influential..." (9/17/09)
- "...an advocate for seniors." (5/31/05)
- "...highly capable, hard working... Simitian... has proved a quick study in Sacramento." (2/15/04)
- “Thirty-eight acres of coastal bluffs in Half Moon Bay have been spared from development and will remain open space…State Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) led the fight to preserve the area…” (11/2/01)
- “Supervisor Joe Simitian…has tried to ensure that his board hears from all sides…” (5/24/99)
- “Joe Simitian will tackle the county’s budget shortfall and help solve the problems plaguing public schools.” (10/29/96)
- "Not your average Joe... indefatigable and independent..." (1/19/05)
- "Joe Simitian has served the region with distinction..." (2/25/04)
- "...highly regarded..." (1/21/04)
- "...highly regarded... smart... and accomplished..." (1/7/04)
- “He’s incisive, innovative and a quick study…(with) strong leadership, problem-solving and communication skills.” (11/1/00)
- "...long track records of outstanding services to the local community, great influence and respect among their colleagues and a commitment to bipartisanship." (11/1/00)
- “Simitian has demonstrated his constant vigilance on budget-balancing and cost-saving issues…Most importantly, Simitian has demonstrated his ability to think creatively to come up with innovative approaches to old problems…” (3/20/96)
- “A model school board member…a true leader…a no-nonsense elected official who wants…to deal with the important issues…” (10/30/91)
- “Effective and hardworking...a sound, thoughtful approach...always well prepared and willing to listen...” (10/28/87)
- "Simitian deserves praise for his perseverance..." (9/26/06)
- "Readers' Choice... Favorite local politician." (8/17/05)
- "To his credit, Simitian... can work with Republicans." (10/30/04)
- "Thoroughly knowledgeable on the issues... effective -- both for the little guy and on big policy issues." (2/27/04)
- "He's written legislation that is being copied nationally. He's not afraid to take on powerful special interests in Sacramento, and he's tenacious enough to win." (2/27/04)
- "Simitian has stayed in touch... he listens to constituents." (2/27/04)
- "Simitian makes decisions based on the merits of an issue... We like his independent streak." (2/27/04)
- “(H)e’s detail-oriented. He’s always prepared. He gets energized about the important subjects…He strives to balance budgets and save tax dollars.” (11/2/00)
- "Simitian... governs from the middle. He listens to both sides and then isn't afraid to make tough decisions." (11/2/00)
- "...the man's responsiveness is incredible... Simitian has shown energy and commitment to getting things done." (10/13/04)
- “Joe Simitian has distinguished himself as a hard worker and a task-oriented politician who established a stellar track record and received almost universal praise... We feel good about Joe Simitian – unlike some politicians, he rolls up his sleeves and gets to work.” (10/18/00)
- “Continually accountable…” (2/23/00)
- “Simitian is…capable, knowledgeable and highly intelligent.” (3/20/96)
- "Simitian...has become a popular and successful politician in part through making himself accessible to his local constituents even as he has risen to statewide office. Recently Simitian has begun conducting ‘sidewalk office hours,’ sessions in which he sets up a table at a public place and talks politics with whomever approaches him." (10/5/01)
- "...outstanding service to the local community, great influence and respect among (his) colleagues and a commitment to bipartisanship... He's incisive, innovative and a quick study... (with) strong leadership, problem-solving and communication skills." (11/1/00).
- "During his tenure as a school board member and city councilman, Simitian demonstrated repeatedly that he is no spendthrift." (3/21/97)
- "Simitian... thrives on grabbing a hold of and finding solutions to... bureaucratic snafus..." (3/19/97)
- "Simitian... has pushed for audits that resulted in millions of dollars of savings for both the city and school district. Simitian has also fought to preserve open space and protect San Francisco Bay wetlands. And he has shown sensitivity to the needs of business... But it is Simitian's keen ability to grasp complicated issues and articulate clear, thoughtful responses that we think make him the better candidate..." (11/1/96)
- "Knowledgeable and committed... Simitian has served... with great effectiveness..." (11/1/95)
- "Joe Simitian... has paid his dues." (11/12/83)
- "Simitian... is clearly one of the valley’s brightest and most articulate public officials... he’ll make a fine addition to the Legislature..." (10/26/00)
- "Simitian has a keen grasp of the issues..." (10/31/96)
- "Sen. Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) is a smart legislator..." (10/4/06)
- "Simitian has an eminently sensible approach." (7/13/05)
- Joe Simitian. The last of the great ones. He works hard on big issues, he understands what’s in his bills and he can throw a political elbow when needed. -"Experts Expound"
- One of the Legislature's half dozen "most effective" members. (9/14/06)
- “Simitian genuinely values bipartisanship and thoughtful public policy…” (2/19/01)
- "...a strong reputation in the areas of education and the environment..." (10/13/04)
- "He's a staunch defender of the environment, a champion of education. He is known for reaching out to his constituents, and for working effectively with his colleagues in Sacramento to push legislation important to Midpeninsula and Coastside residents." (2/18/04)
- "[O]ne of the most effective and forward-looking legislators in Sacramento... Mr. Simitian has consistently performed at the highest level." (2/18/04)
- "His frequent and well-publicized sidewalk office hours, as well as the popular 'There oughta be a law' campaign, have made state government more accessible than ever before at the grass-roots level." (2/18/04)
- “Simitian...has shown he has the leadership skills to succeed…” (10/25/00)
- "Simitian... has proven himself to be an effective an independent-minded leader at virtually every level of local and state government." (10/21/04)
- "Simitian has shown his independence and forward thinking since he was first elected... he [has] earned a reputation as a maverick for rejecting conventional thinking and pushing for budgetary reforms..." (2/26/04)
- “Simitian…shows political adroitness, a desire to make government work well and a thoughtful approach to regional concerns.” (10/22/91)
- "Simitian has been an effective legislator who keeps his head in the district... he has established himself as a leader on education, the environment and the budget." (10/28/04)
- "...experienced, credible and smart... a strong, effective leader with his mind on the people he serves." (2/24/04)
- "Simitian has been an effective legislator who keeps his head in the district." (2/24/04)
- "Simitian has... [the] will and know-how to get things done... he has established himself as a leader on education, the environment and the budget." (2/24/04)
- "A clear, effective and innovative thinker who can work on a bipartisan basis..." (2/26/04)
- "...outstanding... among the top assemblymembers to serve in the Legislature." "[A] spotless record of advocacy for environmental causes. On education... among the leaders promoting funding and higher standards of achievement." The Examiner (2/23/04)
- “Simitian has a proven track record of protecting the environment.” (10/25/96)
- "We like Simitian's program of asking constituents to come up with legislative ideas which he can introduce in Sacramento." (1/10/04)
- “Simitian is the right person to lead the charge for privacy rights in the Assembly…” (6/2/01)
- “Simitian…has a reputation as a problem solver and a leader.” (10/25/00)
- “He’s not your average Joe.” (December 2000)
- “Simitian is assured a seat in the Assembly, where he can continue his crusade to clean up the environment, expand health care access to low-income children and increase affordable housing.” (October 2000)
- “Intelligent and articulate…a major contributor…well versed in regional concerns.” (9/22/91)
- “Forward-looking and articulate…high-caliber leadership…” (10/21/87)
- “An exceptional record of volunteer service…” (10/31/83)
- "(Simitian) has a reputation for action." (12/13/00)
- One of "the power 100" in Silicon Valley. (7/2004)
- "...suspiciously sensible for a lawmaker." (5/29/05)