David Fennell

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David Fennell
Image of David Fennell

Candidate, California State Senate District 1

Elections and appointments
Next election

November 5, 2024

Education

Bachelor's

Santa Clara University, Leavey School of Business, 1991

Graduate

University of San Francisco Center for the Pacific Rim, 1996

Other

Beijing Language Institute

Personal
Birthplace
St. Louis, Mo.
Religion
Catholic
Profession
Entrepreneur
Contact

David Fennell (Republican Party) is running for election to the California State Senate to represent District 1. He is on the ballot in the general election on November 5, 2024. He advanced from the primary on March 5, 2024.

Biography

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Fennell is a venture capitalist and entrepreneur based in Silicon Valley.[1][2] He was raised in the beach and farming community of Half Moon Bay, California, in San Mateo County. Fennell became familiar with early computer technologies and the internet thanks to his father's job at XEROX PARC, in Silicon Valley. Fennell would work there with his father during summer breaks. He entered Santa Clara University as a science and engineering major, but ultimately shifted his focus to Science in Commerce and received a Marketing degree in 1991, citing the inspiration of Steve Jobs.[2]

After graduating from college, Fennell spent two years working in Silicon Valley for a Sunnyvale-based Aerospace company that produced components for the Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk Helicopter. He left this job to study Chinese at the Beijing Language Institute in China. Fennell returned to the United States and earned a Masters in Asian Studies from the University of San Francisco’s Center for the Pacific Rim. [2]

Education

  • Bachelor degree in Marketing, Science in Commerce Concentration - Santa Clara University (1991)
  • Beijing Language Institute in China
  • Master degree in Asian Studies - University of San Francisco’s Center for the Pacific Rim

Elections

2024

See also: California State Senate elections, 2024

General election

General election for California State Senate District 1

Megan Dahle and David Fennell are running in the general election for California State Senate District 1 on November 5, 2024.

Candidate
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Megan-Dahle.png
Megan Dahle (R)
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/David_Fennell.jpeg
David Fennell (R)

Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for California State Senate District 1

Megan Dahle and David Fennell advanced from the primary for California State Senate District 1 on March 5, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Megan-Dahle.png
Megan Dahle (R)
 
77.2
 
154,305
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/David_Fennell.jpeg
David Fennell (R)
 
22.8
 
45,686

Total votes: 199,991
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Campaign finance

Endorsements

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2022

See also: California lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2022

General election

General election for Lieutenant Governor of California

Incumbent Eleni Kounalakis defeated Angela Underwood Jacobs in the general election for Lieutenant Governor of California on November 8, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Eleni-Kounalakis.jpg
Eleni Kounalakis (D)
 
59.7
 
6,418,119
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Angela_Underwood_Jacobs.jpeg
Angela Underwood Jacobs (R)
 
40.3
 
4,332,602

Total votes: 10,750,721
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for Lieutenant Governor of California

The following candidates ran in the primary for Lieutenant Governor of California on June 7, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Eleni-Kounalakis.jpg
Eleni Kounalakis (D)
 
52.7
 
3,617,121
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Angela_Underwood_Jacobs.jpeg
Angela Underwood Jacobs (R)
 
19.9
 
1,365,468
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/David_Fennell.jpeg
David Fennell (R) Candidate Connection
 
13.4
 
922,493
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Clint Saunders (R) Candidate Connection
 
4.5
 
306,216
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/JeffreyMorgan3.png
Jeffrey Highbear Morgan (D) Candidate Connection
 
3.3
 
229,121
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Arif.jpg
Mohammad Arif (Peace and Freedom Party)
 
2.7
 
183,150
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/William_Saacke.jpg
William Saacke (D) Candidate Connection
 
2.5
 
171,800
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/DavidHillberg.jpg
David Hillberg (Independent)
 
1.1
 
74,289
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Ogle-600x400.jpg
James Orlando Ogle III (No party preference) (Write-in)
 
0.0
 
25

Total votes: 6,869,683
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Campaign finance

2018

See also: California lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2018

General election

General election for Lieutenant Governor of California

Eleni Kounalakis defeated Edward Hernandez in the general election for Lieutenant Governor of California on November 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Eleni-Kounalakis.jpg
Eleni Kounalakis (D) Candidate Connection
 
56.6
 
5,914,068
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Ed_Hernandez.jpg
Edward Hernandez (D)
 
43.4
 
4,543,863

Total votes: 10,457,931
(100.00% precincts reporting)
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for Lieutenant Governor of California

The following candidates ran in the primary for Lieutenant Governor of California on June 5, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Eleni-Kounalakis.jpg
Eleni Kounalakis (D) Candidate Connection
 
24.2
 
1,587,940
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Ed_Hernandez.jpg
Edward Hernandez (D)
 
20.6
 
1,347,442
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/coleharris.jpg
Cole Harris (R)
 
17.5
 
1,144,003
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Bleich_Headshot-min.png
Jeff Bleich (D)
 
9.9
 
648,045
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/David_Fennell.jpeg
David Fennell (R) Candidate Connection
 
7.9
 
515,956
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Lydia Ortega (R)
 
6.4
 
419,512
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/David_Hernandez.png
David Hernandez (R)
 
6.2
 
404,982
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Gayle_McLaughlin-1.jpg
Gayle McLaughlin (Independent) Candidate Connection
 
4.0
 
263,364
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/tim-ferreira.jpg
Timothy Ferreira (L)
 
1.5
 
99,949
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Cameron_Gharabiklou.jpg
Cameron Gharabiklou (D)
 
1.2
 
78,267
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Danny Thomas (Independent)
 
0.7
 
44,121

Total votes: 6,553,581
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

2014

See also: California Lieutenant Gubernatorial election, 2014

Fennell ran for Lieutenant Governor of California. Fennell sought nomination in the primary on June 3, 2014.[3] The general election took place on November 4, 2014.

Lieutenant Governor of California, Blanket Primary, 2014
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngGavin Newsom Incumbent 49.9% 2,082,902
     Republican Green check mark transparent.pngRon Nehring 23.4% 976,128
     Republican David Fennell 8.6% 357,242
     Republican George Yang 8% 333,857
     Democratic Eric Korevaar 5.6% 232,596
     Green Jena Goodman 2.4% 98,338
     Americans Elect Alan Reynolds 1.3% 56,027
     Peace and Freedom Amos Johnson 0.9% 39,675
Total Votes 4,176,765
Election results California Secretary of State


Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Candidate Connection

David Fennell has not yet completed Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey. Send a message to David Fennell asking him to fill out the survey. If you are David Fennell, click here to fill out Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey.

Who fills out Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey?

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You can ask David Fennell to fill out this survey by using the buttons below or emailing dave@fennellforsenate.com.

Twitter

Email


2022

Candidate Connection

David Fennell completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Fennell's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

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Some of his friends call David Fennell “Mr. California” because of his diverse set of experiences that personify California.

David Fennell grew up in the fishing & farming town of Half Moon Bay, home of the legendary Mavericks, the biggest surf on the West Coast.

While attending public school on the San Mateo County coast he earned his Eagle Scout award while his parents worked as early semiconductor tech pioneers in Silicon Valley, which allowed David Fennell to spend summers in his father’s lab at XEROX PARC before Steve Jobs used PARC’s GUI tech to create the Macintosh.

David Fennell earned his Bachelor of Science in Commerce at the Leavey School of Business at Santa Clara University. His first job was selling NeXT Computers for Steve Jobs.

He later became an entrepreneur himself, first in tech & later in the Oakland music business where he was elected Chair of the Crime Prevention Council.

While working and traveling to all of California’s 58 counties he has been struck by the fraud, waste and mismanagement of our great state.

When he reported the fraud to government investigators they did nothing, prompting David Fennell to run for California Lieutenant Governor to bring change to Sacramento.

  • Write Economic Plan to Keep Jobs in California. (Note: Lt. Governor authors Econ plan for California).
  • Fight Crime & Fraud.
  • Land Resource Management to Prevent Forest Fires & Create Water Storage for Farmers. (Note: Lt. Governor is Chair of the State Lands Commission).

POLICY AREA #1) WRITING A NEW ECONOMIC PLAN THAT BRINGS JOBS BACK TO CALIFORNIA

Few realize the Lieutenant Governor chairs the California Commission for Economic Development and writes the economic plan for the state.

However the Economic Commission has not met in years? No plan written?

This is crazy!

Jobs are leaving the state, gas prices are rising and the Economic Commission hasn’t met in years?

The first thing David Fennell would do is meet with all of California’s 58 counties and 482 municipalities to develop an economic plan that addresses the economic needs of each area.

POLICY AREA #2) FIGHT CRIME AND FRAUD ACROSS CALIFORNIA

California is in the middle of a violent, property and white collar crime wave.

If you do not enforce the law, criminal activity grows.

David Fennell will enforce laws.

POLICY AREA #3) LAND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT TO PREVENT FOREST FIRES AND CREATE WATER STORAGE FOR FARMERS

The Lieutenant Governor sits on the the California State Lands Commission and California Emergency Council which also includes State Fire services.

David Fennell will use his position at these agencies to manage the forests & approve water storage for farmers.

Under California’s Constitution, the Lieutenant Governor serves as Acting Governor whenever the Governor is absent from the state, and automatically becomes Governor if a vacancy occurs in the Office of Governor. The Lieutenant Governor is also President of the Senate.

The Lieutenant Governor serves as a voting member of the Board of Regents of the University of California, the Board of Trustees of the California State University system, and the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges system.

The Lieutenant Governor also serves as chair of the three-member State Lands Commission, which oversees the control and leasing of millions of acres of state-owned land, including offshore oil resources, as well as use and permitting for all navigable waterways in California. The Commission also manages state land-use planning and revenues, and related interstate issues.

The Lieutenant Governor serves as Chairman of the State Lands Commission, he also serves as a member of the California Ocean Protection Council and as a member of the California Coastal Commission.

In addition, under state statutes, the Lieutenant Governor chairs the California Commission for Economic Development, which provides support and guidance to the Governor, Legislature and private sector regarding the development of California’s economy.

The Lieutenant Governor serves on the California Emergency Council along with State Fire Officials hence plays a key role in forest management and water supply issues for farmers.

Perhaps most importantly the Lt. Governor writes the Economic Plan for the State. A required task that has not been done in years.

The first thing David Fennell will do when elected is meet with all 58 counties and 482 municipalities and write an economic plan to bring jobs back to California and water to our farmers.

Steve Jobs.

Honored to have sold NeXT Computers for him as my first job.

“Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” filmed in 1939.

I hope I make the late Jimmy Stewart proud.

KNOWLEDGE OF CALIFORNIA!

Most of our Statewide political spend too much time in Sacramento and not enough time in our 58 counties.

They need to meet with California citizens to help solve problems in their communities.

I moved to California when I was one year old and I know the state backward and forward. After spending more than four decades traveling to all parts of California, having made at least five visits to all 58 counties, I know the state better than any other candidate. Also I am an outdoorsman and an Eagle Scout.

The Lieutenant Governor sits on the Board of University of California and State University system that oversees perhaps the world's largest and best known public higher learning institutions.

In the past we have had some candidates who run for the job but never took the SAT or went to an accredited college.

David Fennell earned his Undergraduate degree from Santa Clara University and his Masters from the University of San Francisco. His wife graduated from UC Davis.

He has the educational background for the job and has the business background to Chair the Economic Council which writes the economic plan for the state.

A BETTER CALIFORNIA!

I hope to be the government servant that represents the people and works with their community to make things better. I love California and feel that we could be so much more than where we are now.

California and the nation has been through a tough period.

But, things are opening up and we need new leadership to take us through this current economic malaise. I would be honored if after my term of service people say that David Fennell was one of our great Lieutenant Governors (not that hard since most Californians don’t know we have a Lt. Governor).

I would like it if people remembered David Fennell for making a difference for the lives of Californians and left the state better than when he took office.

I vividly remember the United State Bicentennial because my mother entered my brother, sister and myself into a patriotic parade contest.

I was dressed as Uncle Sam (age 7).
My twin sister was dressed as Betsy Ross (age 7).
My brother was dressed as Abe Lincoln (age 5).

Apparently we stole the show and won the contest.
Receiving the award was my first time on a political stage.

My first job was selling NeXt Computers for Steve Jobs.

Through the position I got to meet Steve Jobs and also see him lose his temper when a fellow employee moved his NeXT Computer display and set it up wrong.

It was a great experience I will never forget.

The job lasted 3 years.

“A Canticle for Liebowitz” by Walter M. Miller.

My mother mailed this post-apocalyptic social science fiction novel to me while I was living in developing regions of Asia in the early 1990s.

They had no American bookstores and I read the entire novel while spending days recovering from Amebic dysentery in a hotel room in Yangoon, Myanmar (Rangoon, Burma).

It is a great book!

James Bond (The old school Ian Flemming / Sean Connery / Roger Moore Bond).

Why?

Who doesn’t want to be James Bond?

I also like prefer my vodka Martini "Shaken, not stirred.”

There are three songs that get stuck in my head and at the top of my iPhone playlist and sum up my diverse taste in music:

1) “Blow the Whistle” by Todd Anthony Shaw (aka Too $hort).

2) “Lights” by Ellie Goulding.

3) “Curl of the Burl” by Mastodon.

Being in an accident requiring two metal plates to be surgically implanted in my spine and being told I might not ever recover.

I beat the odds and after long painful physical therapy made a full recovery.

A life changing experience I do not wish on anyone.

But in the words of the poet Kelly Brianne Clarkson “What doesn't kill you makes you stronger.”

The Lt. Governor is the second highest position in California.

California Constitution makes the Lt. Governor the Governor when the Governor is out of the state and also Chairs or sits on many of the most powerful boards and councils in California.

The Lieutenant Governor has the power to invade neighboring states such as Nevada.

Just kidding.

I was just checking to see if anyone is reading all of these questions.


No.

Our experienced politicians have gotten us into this economic mess with jobs leaving the state so it is time for the novices to take over.

How could we do worse?

In all seriousness, I did get elected Chairman of the Crime Prevention Council in Oakland, and working between the Oakland Police Department and the local citizens (and a fair amount of protestors) was an invaluable experience.

Knowledge of the entire state of California.

We are a state with the geographic size of Japan and the population of Canada.

Yet, all of our major political leaders in California seem to come from one area (San Francisco: Gavin Newsom, Nancy Pelosi, Dianne Feinstein, Kamala Harris, etc).

San Francisco is swell (Have you tried the Boudin Bakery sourdough bread?)


But, it might be a good idea to elect someone who has actually crossed the Golden Gate or Bay Bridge and visited the other 57 counties.

David Fennell has spent more than 4 decades living, traveling and doing business across California and has made more than 5 visits to all 58 counties.

He knows the entire State of California and will get the job done for all of our 40 million residents.

I don’t know if I have a favorite Joke.

But, one of my favorite comedians is Gilbert Gottfried whom I saw in 1998 at 19 years old as a Sophomore in college on a first date.

It was a great night in 1988! But terrible loss in 2022.

RIP Gilbert Jeremy Gottfried (1955 - 2022)

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.



2018

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's candidate surveys
Candidate Connection

David Fennell participated in Ballotpedia's candidate survey on May 30, 2018. The survey questions appear in bold, and David Fennell's responses follow below.[4]

What would be your top three priorities, if elected?

1) Fight Fraud in Sacramento 2) Cut government waste 3) Create Jobs I also support the U.S. Constitution, 2nd amendment, Free Enterprise, Religious Liberty, Prop 13, Building New Water Storage and Trump's Border Wall. I oppose crony capitalism, sanctuary cities, gas tax & high speed rail.[5][6]

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? Why?

I entered this race because many Sacramento politicians are there only to serve billionaire San Francisco & Silicon Valley donors and not the average voter. There is an incredible amount of fraud and waste in Sacramento. When you send me to Sacramento, I will audit the books, cut taxes and expose government waste. I have made at least three trips to all 58 counties and attended all 77 District and County Fairs. Most California have never met a candidate and feel forgotten. That will change when you send me to Sacramento!Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; invalid names, e.g. too many[6]

Ballotpedia also asked the candidate a series of optional questions. David Fennell answered the following:

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow and why?

I campaigned for Donald Trump at the Iowa & Nevada Caucuses and I have endorsed John Cox for Governor. I think the President is doing a great job shaking up Washington and I will do the same in Sacramento.[6]
Is there a book, essay, film, or something else that best describes your political philosophy?
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington[6]
What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?
Honesty and a desire to serve the people.[6]
What qualities do you possess that would make you a successful officeholder?
KNOWLEDGE OF CALIFORNIA! Most of our Statewide politicians spend too much time in Sacramento and not enough time in our 58 counties. They need to meet with California citizens to help solve problems in their communities. California needs someone who has seen California. I moved to California when I was one year old and I know the state backward and forward. After more than four decades traveling to all parts of California, I know the state better than any other candidate. I am an outdoorsmen and an Eagle Scout.[6]
What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?
Lt. Governor is President of the Senate and has the power to oversee debate (something our current Lt. Gov does not do). As the second highest member of the Executive Branch he takes on responsibilities and issues which the Governor does not have time to address. I will use the position to make sure the agencies under the executive branch run efficiently without the financial waste and government red tape which plagues Sacramento today. The first thing I will do when elected is audit the books and look for fraud and waste.[6]
What legacy would you like to leave?
A better California! I hope to be the government servant that people feel represents them and works with their community to make things better. I love California and feel that we could be so much more. Right now everyone thinks the past few lieutenant Governors have been a bit of a joke, just sitting around doing nothing waiting to run for governor. I would like people to say that our first truly great Lieutenant Governor was David Fennell; he really made a difference for California.[6]
What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at that time?
Ronald Reagan being shot on March 30, 1981. I was 12 years old attending Cunha Intermediate School in Half Moon Bay, California.[6]
What was your very first job? How long did you have it?
My first job after college was in high tech. For 3 years, I sold NeXT Computers for Steve Jobs. I loved the tech experience watching computers evolve and begin to address the consumer markets they serve today. I learned a great deal. I also got to witness Steve Jobs brilliance and even watch him lose his temper. Later I worked in the Aerospace industry and became an entrepreneur doing projects in tech and also in the Oakland music industry, which has been my latest area of focus.[6]
What happened on your most awkward date?
Well, I don't know about awkward date. But, in my younger years as a Republican, I have to admit did I did date a Democrat from UC Berkeley and we broke up over the 2000 United States Presidential election recount in Florida. I supported Bush. She supported Gore. After that experience I stuck with dating Republicans. LOL.[6]
What is your favorite holiday? Why?
Its hard to pick a favorite holiday but I am updating this Ballotpedia from Chico, California, where I just spent a fantastic Memorial Day Weekend. From the Veterans service to the BBQ to the Silver Dollar Fair where I met rocker Eddie Money (Who told me he was a Republican and I have his vote) it was a really special Memorial Day. But, I love all holidays. Who doesn’t love holidays?[6]
What is your favorite book? Why?
I really enjoyed “A Canticle for Leibowitz” by Walter M. Miller, Jr. In high school I remember loving “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas” by Hunter S. Thompson and “Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test” by Tom Wolfe mostly due to their New Journalism style. Today, I read ever night, primarily Wikipedia and non-fiction books. I recently read “Thomas Jefferson and the Tripoli Pirates: The Forgotten War That Changed American History” by Brian Kilmeade which I thought was great. I learned about a history I never knew and what was meant in the Marines' Hymn—“the shore of Tripoli.” I love history books. By learning from the lessons of the past you can best shape the future.[6]
If you could be any fictional character, who would you be?
James Bond or Indiana Jones[6]
What is your favorite thing in your home or apartment? Why?
My Stereo[6]
What was the last song that got stuck in your head?
I keep hearing Lights by Ellie Goulding, Blow the Whistle by Too Short, and Curl of the Burl by Mastodon. I put these on when I hit the gym.[6]
What is something that has been a struggle in your life?
In 2003, my spine was crushed in an accident that left me in horrible pain and I lost partial use of my left leg. Doctors gave me only a 30 percent chance of recovery but I researched and found a new technology and volunteered to be an FDA test subject. After five years of slow physical therapy, which severely set back my career and finances, I was pain free and the FDA tech was approved. Complete recovery! What doesn't kill you makes you stronger![6]
What qualities does this office possess that makes it a unique and important part of the state government?
The Lt. Governor should be a balance to the Governor. In California the Governor & Lt. Governor can be from different political parties. I am a Republican and endorsed Republican John Cox and I am hoping we will both be elected. But, if a Democrat like Gavin Newsom is elected I plan to use the role of Lt. Governor to hold his feet to the fire and expose and block his tax and spend policies. Our current Lt. Governor is taking a check from tax payers but not doing his job.[6]
What responsibilities of this office do you personally consider the most important?
President of the Senate! As the President of the Senate, the Lt. Governor presides over debate in that chamber and oversees the movement of legislation through the chamber. While he cannot vote or sponsor legislation, he works with advocates in the Senate to introduce the legislation for him. Our current Lt. Governor doesn't do this job or even show up for work. That will change when you elect David Fennell Lieutenant Governor. In addition, if the Governor is out of the state or incapacitated temporarily, the Lieutenant Governor exercises the powers of the Governor. If the Governor dies or otherwise can no longer fulfill his duties, the Lieutenant Governor serves the Governor's unexpired term.[6]
Are there any little-known powers or responsibilities held by this office that you believe more people should be aware of?
The Lieutenant Governor serves on the State Lands Commission, which oversees the control and leasing of millions of acres of state-owned land, including offshore oil resources, as well as use and permitting for all navigable waterways in California. The Commission also manages state land-use planning and revenues, and related interstate issues. He also serves as a member of the California Ocean Protection Council and as a member of the California Coastal Commission. These are important because they govern our lands and oceans and our forests in particular have not been well managed for decades, which is one of the major reasons we have had so many forest fires in the past 10 years. The Lieutenant Governor also serves as a voting member of the Board of Regents of the University of California and a voting member of the Board of Trustees of the California State University system. I would use this post to improve our university systems. In addition, under state statutes, the Lieutenant Governor chairs the California Commission for Economic Development, which provides support and guidance to the Governor, Legislature and private sector regarding the development of California's economy.[6]
Do you believe that it’s beneficial for holders of this office to have previous experience in government or politics?
No. I think right now we need new blood and fresh ideas. Time fore a change![6]
What kind of skills or expertise do you believe would be the most helpful for the holders of this office to possess?
Knowledge of all of California! Most of out state legislators hardly leave Sacramento or their hometown offices. California is a state the size of Japan with a population larger than Canada and is home to the 5th largest economy of the world. Yet, our Sacramento politicians know and serve only 1% of California. I love California and know the entire state and I will work for all 18,055,783 registered voters and their families and, indeed, for all Californians.[6]

2014

Fennell's campaign is focused primarily on reducing the incidence of fraud and corruption in California business and politics. In addition to fighting political and business corruption, he listed the following four issue priorities on his 2014 official campaign website:

  • "Ending Crony Capitalism"
  • "Helping Citizens Advocate State Bureaucracies"
  • "Stopping the Unfunded Pension Time Bomb"
  • "Promoting and Protecting Businesses to Create Jobs"

Campaign media

Stopping Fraud in California Pt. 3 - Posted to YouTube 5/26/2014
Stopping Fraud in California Pt. 4 - Posted to YouTube 5/26/2014
Stopping Fraud in California Pt. 5 - Posted to YouTube 5/26/2014
Vote Dave Fennell for California Lieutenant Governor 2014 - Posted to YouTube 5/11/2014
Stopping Fraud in California Pt. 1 - Posted to YouTube 5/21/2014
Stopping Fraud in California Pt. 2 - Posted to YouTube 5/26/2014

Campaign finance summary


Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.


David Fennell campaign contribution history
YearOfficeStatusContributionsExpenditures
2024* California State Senate District 1On the Ballot general$0 $0
2022Lieutenant Governor of CaliforniaLost primary$0 $0
2014Lieutenant Governor of CaliforniaLost $7,068 N/A**
Grand total$7,068 N/A**
Sources: OpenSecretsFederal Elections Commission ***This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
* Data from this year may not be complete
** Data on expenditures is not available for this election cycle
Note: Totals above reflect only availabale data.

See also


External links

Footnotes

  1. Bloomsburg Businessweek, "Executive Profile: David A. Fennell L.L.B," accessed June 2, 2014
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 David Fennell for Lieutenant Governor 2014 Official campaign website, "Bio," accessed June 2, 2014
  3. California Secretary of State, "Campaign Finance: Candidates & Elected Officials," accessed March 25, 2014 (dead link)
  4. Note: The candidate's answers have been reproduced here verbatim without edits or corrections by Ballotpedia.
  5. Ballotpedia's candidate survey, "David Fennell's responses," May 30, 2018
  6. 6.00 6.01 6.02 6.03 6.04 6.05 6.06 6.07 6.08 6.09 6.10 6.11 6.12 6.13 6.14 6.15 6.16 6.17 6.18 6.19 6.20 6.21 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.


Current members of the California State Senate
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