Dr. Tecoy Porter, Sr., who announced his candidacy for California’s 6th Senate District earlier this year, welcomed a major endorsement from California Secretary of State, Dr. Shirley N. Weber. Weber is the first African-American to hold the office.
“Dr. Porter has shown up and spoken out on behalf of his community and its needs for decades,” Weber said. “His support and deep roots in the community was critical to getting my police use-of-force legislation passed in 2019. He is a leader of vision, perseverance, and the common touch much needed in the Legislature. Tecoy Porter has my strong endorsement.”
The endorsement from such a high-ranking state official significantly bolsters Porter’s campaign.
“Being a non-politician in this race makes me stand out,” Porter said. “An endorsement by a pioneering legislator confirms that my campaign has momentum and having her endorsement and trust means the world to me.”
Weber has been at the forefront of police reform, passing landmark legislation. Porter, a pastor and activist has become a fierce advocate for social justice and police reform, following the 2018 police shooting death of Stephon Clark. Weber and Porter worked together on AB 392, Stephon Clark’s Law, a set of new stringent laws that regulate police officers’ use-of-force.
A long-time Elk Grove resident, Porter’s service to the Sacramento region began 22 years ago when he took over the helm of Genesis Church located in the Meadowview community. He believes Weber understands the relevance of his work beyond the church.
“We are in the streets. We are advocates,” Porter said. “We know we can win this and Weber’s endorsement is a sign of that.”
Porter is expected to announce other major endorsements in the coming months. Until then, he wants to move his campaign forward by encouraging “everyday” people to endorse his run for the state senate. Supporters can sign up on his official campaign website, https://www.tecoyportersenate2022.com/endorsements/.
“Come alongside our campaign and say, “I’m with the Rev,” Porter said.
Senate District 6 includes the cities of Sacramento, Elk Grove, and West Sacramento and parts of Sacramento County. Dr. Richard Pan currently holds the office. His term ends in 2022. Senators serve four-year terms and half of the Senate’s 40 seats are up for election every two years.
For more information, and to schedule a one-on-one interview, contact Darla Givens at 916-247-2060 or Darla.givens@gmail.com.
About Dr. Tecoy Porter
Porter founded the National Action Network (NAN) Sacramento Chapter, a civil rights organization founded by Rev. Al Sharpton. Porter has been the lead pastor at Genesis Church for the past 22 years and director of the award-winning Genesis Church Choir and the MLK Celebration Choir.
He is an accomplished author, adjunct professor at William Jessup University and Epic Bible College. Porter received a doctorate in strategic leadership from Regent University, School of Leadership, Virginia Beach, VA. Fortune School dedicated a public school in his honor, Tecoy Porter College Prep, a K-5 elementary school.
About Dr. Shirley N. Weber
Dr. Shirley N. Webber was nominated to serve as Secretary of State by Governor Gavin Newsom and was sworn into office in January 2021. She is California’s first Black Secretary of State and only the fifth African-American to serve as a state constitutional officer in California’s 170-year history.
She is the force behind numerous police reform laws, including AB 953 which prohibits racial profiling by law enforcement officers. She fought to secure and expand civil rights for all Californians, including restoring voting rights for individuals who have completed their prison term. She served as chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC).
Weber attended the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where she received her BA, MA, and PhD by the age of 26. Prior to receiving her doctorate, she became a professor at San Diego State University, (SDSU) at the age of 23. She also taught at California State University Los Angeles (CSULA) and Los Angeles City College before coming to SDSU. She retired from the department of Africana Studies after 40 years as a faculty member and served several terms as department chair.
