Terry Joan Baum has been involved in electoral politics since 1970 when she worked for Bella Abzug’s first run for public office. Despite impossible odds, Abzug was elected to Congress. Baum herself now faces impossible odds in her quest to become Mayor of San Francisco. When she is not campaigning, Baum is a playwright, director and actress. In her own words, she is running for mayor because she loves San Francisco. She views the Bay Area as a leader in espousing utopian ideas. 

In her current bid for office, she is running as a “green” candidate. Baum has a classic progressive platform: She would like to see buses run every 10 minutes; she would like mass transit to be free; she believes that housing is a right, not a privilege; she endorses community policing; she believes in democracy.  She wears a button everywhere that says “Tax the Rich.” That about says it all.

Because you have campaigned tirelessly despite facing impossible odds for election. Because you have given up (another) year of your life to educate politicians, bureaucrats, journalists and voters alike about the issues close to your heart. Because you stand so resolutely for those who don’t have a voice, we name you Terry Baum, our Person of the Week.