Joe Symmon

Symmon's 2010 Campaign Portrait.

Joe Mwangi Symmon, is President of Child of Destiny, a Christian non-profit charity. Symmon announced his intent to run for governor of California in the 2010 gubernatorial election in April 2009.

Biography

Joe Mwangi Symmon was born and raised in Murang'a, Kenya. He calls his conversion to Christianity on June 10, 1973 one of the defining moments of his life, along with the day he married his wife AlyceJo, on July 3 1976, with whom he has three grown children:

After completing his primary and secondary schooling in Kenya, Symmon "stepped foot in Los Angeles in 1983, when he began studying intercultural studies Life Pacific College. Joe continued his education at the School of World Missions at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, where he performed his graduate work in Intercultural Studies."

Symmon started a realty company in 1977 and then an underwriting Insurance company and ran the businesses until 1982, just before he moved to California to continue his education.

After completing undergraduate studies in Bible Theology, Symmon did "graduate studies in Intercultural Studies," and founded the Believers Faith Church in 1987.

Child of Destiny

In 2001 Symmon and his wife purchased 20 acres of land in Nairobi, Kenya and built an orphanage. The organization helps orphans by providing free housing and quality education, food, health care and clean water from a drilled well. Currently the Center consists of eighteen classrooms, two dormitories, a library, and administrative building.

According to a press release in June 2009, the center was expanding:

"Construction of a clinic, that will include, an out-patient, HIV/AIDS testing, mammogram and maternity wing, a multi-purpose hall and a guest house are all halfway built and progressing well."

Symmon has been the president of Child of Destiny since January 2003.

Political Career

Symmon credits his election as the "head of the student movement" in 1984 as the beginning of his political career.

Issues

Joe Symmon is currently seeking the nomination of the Democratic Party in California to be the party's candidate for the 2010 Gubernatorial Election.

California's Budget

When he declared his candidacy, Symmon vowed to lower income and sales taxes in California. His campaign website outlines goals to "erase" California's large deficit, create jobs, and re-prioritize funding for programs to try and decrease spending. In a press release, Symmon promised a "giving back plan" to return funds to California within 100 days of his taking the office of governor.

Education

Symmon's goals for education include limiting teaching geared toward standardized testing, creating more practical applications of knowledge (such as through internships and apprenticeships), giving students more financial aid for college, and improving teacher salaries.

Healthcare

Symmon would guarantee quality, affordable health care for citizens of California, with a strong emphasis on children and senior citizens.

Green Energy and Sustainability

Symmon is GeneRally supportive of green energy and conservation efforts. In his campaign for governor, his goals include creating investment incentives in green technology and encouraging car and fuel companies to create new environmentally friendly products.

Immigration

Symmon supports legal immigration, saying he is "committed to ensure that immigrants are accorded respect and legal status like every one who [has] come [to the United States] to seek an opportunity to better their lives." He does not encourage illegal immigration. However, he has stated his belief that the government should establish an educational program that allows illegal immigrants pay their way into the system that is not burdensome to taxpayers.