Firefighters Endorse Gina Papan for County Supervisor

Local public safety and government officials endorsed Gina Papan on March 21 for San Mateo County Board of Supervisor as voters prepare to select a candidate in a special all mail-in election on May 3.

Supporters gathered at the International Association of Firefighters Local 2400 headquarters in San Mateo to stand behind Papan’s campaign against five other candidates, including three current elected officials: Terry Nagel, mayor of Burlingame, Dave Pine, San Mateo Union High School District trustee, and Richard Holober, a San Mateo County College District trustee.

“I can think of no other candidate who is better qualified to work with the county and the state,” said San Mateo County Sheriff Greg Munks.

Raised in San Mateo County, Papan served as Millbrae mayor in 2008 and as California Deputy Attorney General for 17 years. 

She believes her experience is what differentiates her from the other candidates.

“We need to put people to work and make the budget sustainable,” she said. 

Papan admits the difficulty in preserving social services while struggling with tough financial times, but assured that her experience would facilitate public employees to make concessions.

“She spearheaded programs that share police and fire chiefs between cities, saving valuable resources while maintaining the same response times,” said San Bruno Mayor Jim Ruane in a statement.

In addition to service consolidation, she also suggested the county fully utilize its assets to increase revenue, like capitalizing on the several public properties that are currently underused.

Papan’s next appearance will be at the Coastside Community Council Candidates Forum on Tuesday March 29 at the Fireside Room in Seton Coastside Hospital, located at 600 Marina Blvd. in Moss Beach.

To learn more about Gina Papan, check out her website.