Yesterday, I had the opportunity to attend the Data Center Town Hall in Hanford. First, I want to thank everyone who helped organize it, participated, and showed up. It was a great meeting of the minds, with important discussions about water, energy, the environment, and the potential impacts of data centers on our communities.

But something happened that stayed on my mind.

One gentleman who spoke made it clear that he was there in his capacity as a School Board Trustee. However, in my opinion, his comments began sounding less like a discussion about water and data centers and more like a political campaign speech. There were comments about Congress, what he believed he could do better.

That really turned me off.

We were inside a church, discussing an issue that affects our entire community. That was not the place, in my opinion, to get on a political soapbox. People came to hear facts and have a logical community discussion about water and data centers.

I also noticed something. Every opportunity this gentleman had to get the microphone, he seemed eager to speak. Yet when he finished, I did not hear applause. I am not going to mention his name because this article is not about giving him attention. I simply hope he understands that people are watching, listening, and paying attention to how individuals conduct themselves.

But someone else stood out to me for a completely different reason.

Sandra Van Scotter, who is running for Congress in California’s 20th Congressional District, was there.

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She wasn’t on the panel. She wasn’t standing at the microphone. She wasn’t making a fuss about being there. She was simply sitting in a pew, which is the term for the benches where people sit in a church, listening.

And I watched her.

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She listened to the speakers. She listened to the community discussion. And throughout the meeting, I saw her taking notes, a lot of notes.

That impressed me.

I’ve attended several events where Sandra has been present, and people need to understand something. She is coming all the way from Ridgecrest to Hanford to attend these events and learn about the people she is seeking to represent. That is not a small trip or a small commitment.

Actions matter to me.

I don’t give my endorsement lightly because when I endorse someone, my name goes behind that person. I don’t care whether someone is a Democrat or Republican. My mother always told me, it’s not about being a Republican or a Democrat. It’s about the person who is actually going to do the job.

Sandra doesn’t know I’m writing this. I didn’t call her and tell her I was going to do it.

But today, I am giving Sandra Van Scotter my personal endorsement, as a former Mayor of Hanford, for Congress.

She earned it through her actions.

When someone repeatedly travels from Ridgecrest to Hanford, attends community events, sits quietly, listens, takes notes, and makes the effort to understand the people she hopes to represent, that says something to me.

It especially stood out after hearing that organizers had reached out to more than 100 officials regarding this town hall, yet only Hanford Mayor Mark Kairis and Councilwoman Kimber Regan attended. I gave them credit yesterday, and they deserve it.

I’ve always told people the same thing about me: Watch what I do. Watch what I say. If the two match, support me. If they don’t match, tell me.

That’s the standard I try to apply to everyone.

Sandra, I wish you nothing but success. Keep showing up. Keep listening. Keep taking notes. People notice.

And to the other gentleman, I hope you read this too. People notice that as well.

I hope everyone has an amazing Saturday. Spend some time with your family and the people you love.

Every day is a blessing.