"When you are clear about ‘why you’, it’s a powerful answer"
Before becoming a Supervisor, Kate Daniels built a career full of meaningful experiences and contributions. She engaged in public service, served as senior class president at Carmel High, ran an international news publication, taught Women’s Studies at Monterey Peninsula College, and served on the County Planning Commission.
In these roles, she worked tirelessly to address countywide land use issues, developed policy recommendations to strengthen the county’s long-term economic and environmental health, and fought for essential needs such as clean drinking water, employer-sponsored farmworker housing, flood control, and coastal resilience projects. She also partnered with retired Supervisor Mary Adams—who was previously interviewed on Shepolitics—to improve community access to County services.
In a written interview for Shepolitics, Supervisor Daniels shared candid reflections on her path into politics, the key issues she is tackling in her current term, the challenges of being a woman in political life, the steps needed to achieve gender equity in representation, and her advice for young women aspiring to enter politics. Below are some of the most meaningful takeaways from that conversation.
Can you tell us a bit about your backgrounds and what inspired you to pursue a career in politics?
I didn't really pursue a career in politics - the opportunity more found me. That said, I have always been interested in current events, and I did take political science coursework in undergraduate school. I majored in Liberal Studies as an undergrad and have a Masters in Applied Linguistics (the application I pursued was "political" and my thesis was on Sexism in Language.) I was teaching and working in journalism when a former County supervisor asked me to run her campaign the first time she ran for office. That really changed the trajectory of my work. The rest is sort of history (or herstory...)
What are the key issues you are focusing on during your current term?
The focus of all my work is the sustainability of our region. I am deeply concerned about the growing difficulty our community members and workforce have living in our region due the high cost of living and limited housing supply. Solving our water supply and in particular lifting the cease-and-desist order on our water supply go hand in hand with making District 5 more livable for working families, seniors, and our workforce. These two are my top priorities among many other issues a Supervisor focuses on day in and day out.
What would you say are some inevitable hardships during your career thus far? How are you coping with it?
By far, being in politics in this era has been the most difficult hardship I have faced in my career. The tone and tenor of our politics today is very angry and hateful. That is very difficult to both experience and witness. Since I have only been in office since January, I can't say I have mastered any coping skills. I have a great team in our District 5 office and that is tremendously helpful. I am also very open and candid about what I see and hear. When I experience online trolling, I never respond. It takes the power away from the troll and is the best course of action I have decided - even when what is being said is outrageous or vile - I always try to stay above it and focus on the work in front of me. When I make progress on an issue before me, there is nothing more satisfying and that is what I try to focus my attention on.
How do you feel your experience as a woman has shaped your perspective and approach to politics?
I only know what it feels like to be a woman in this space, but I can say it is different from what my male colleagues have experienced. My equity lens is really sharp and I do my best to point out what I see - especially calling out bias or sexism when necessary.
What steps do you believe need to be taken to achieve gender equality in political representation?
We must get rid of Citizens United and get money out of politics. That is the only way to even the playing field for all good candidates to have a real shot winning elections. In the meantime, support good women candidates. Donate to their campaigns, volunteer on their campaigns, send them encouraging notes when you appreciate the work they are doing. It all helps!
What advice would you give to young women in high school aspiring to enter politics?
Being a public servant is a lifestyle not a career. So, start living as a public servant now - by volunteering, engaging in advocacy, starting organizations to fill gaps in services you see in your community. Be a lifelong learner- read and write and never stop learning. Then, one day an opportunity will present itself to take your service to the next level by running for office. That is the best course of action because it will be genuine and your opportunity to truly make positive changes in your community will have a better chance of being successful.
Interview by Jessie Chen / Edited by Amy Zhao