Norman La Force

This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.

Norman La Force

Nonpartisan

Elections and appointments

Last election

November 3, 2020

Education

Law

Georgetown University Law Center, 1981

Graduate

University of California, Berkeley, 1976

Graduate

University of Chicago, 1977

Personal

Birthplace

Oak Park, IL

Profession

Attorney

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Norman La Force ran for election to the East Bay Regional Park District Board of Directors to represent Ward 1 in California. He lost in the general election on November 3, 2020.

La Force completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. Click here to read the survey answers.

In 2020, La Force participated in a Candidate Conversation hosted by Ballotpedia and EnCiv. Click here to view the recording.

Biography

Norman La Force was born in Oak Park, Illinois. He earned a master's degree from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1976, a master's degree from the University of Chicago in 1977, and a J.D. from the Georgetown University Law Center in 1981. His professional experience includes working as an environmental protection attorney and as a wrongful termination labor attorney.

Elections

2020

See also: Municipal elections in Alameda County, California (2020)

General election

General election for East Bay Regional Park District Board of Directors Ward 1

Incumbent Elizabeth Echols defeated Norman La Force in the general election for East Bay Regional Park District Board of Directors Ward 1 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Elizabeth Echols (Nonpartisan)	65.0	43,742
	Submit photo	Norman La Force (Nonpartisan)	34.9	23,474
		Other/Write-in votes	0.2	121

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 67,337
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Endorsements

To view La Force's endorsements in the 2020 election, please click here.

Campaign themes

2020

Candidate Conversations

Moderated by journalist and political commentator Greta Van Susteren, Candidate Conversations is a virtual debate format that allows voters to easily get to know their candidates through a short video Q&A. Click below to watch the conversation for this race.

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Norman La Force completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by La Force's responses.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I have dedicated over 37 years of my life to creating and protecting parks and open space in the East Bay.

Beginning in the 1980's, I led the Sierra Club's efforts to save the shoreline from Oakland to Richmond, successfully creating McLaughlin Eastshore State Park; doubling the size of Point Isabel Dog Park; and stopping construction of a shopping mall along the Albany shoreline. I helped to reduce wildfire risk and improve wildlife stewardship with ecologically based approaches to resource management and habitat enhancement. As co-chair of the East Bay Regional Park District's tax measure campaigns, I helped secure funding for the District, doubling the District's size; funding McLaughlin Eastshore State Park, Dotson Family Marsh, and other regional parks; improving Albany Beach; and maintaining trails.

As an East Bay Regional Park District Director, I would continue my life's work. I will focus on expanding open space, enhancing access to parks for all park users, improving fire protections, and building more sports fields for adults and youth, especially in urban areas. I am endorsed by the Sierra Club, League of Conservation Voters, current and former East Bay mayors and elected officials, and environmental leaders. I have received awards for my park work from the East Bay Regional Park District, Citizens for East Shore Parks and the Sierra Club. Vote for a proven environmental and park advocate.

My website: www.LaForceOfCourse.org

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• I don't just say I am passionate about parks. I have devoted 38 years to creating parks, making ball fields a reality for youth, protecting wildlife and habitat. I have made our parks work for you.
• I have not just talked about expanding opportunities for youth and communities of color to enjoy and use our East Bay Parks, I have actually created urban parks and made it possible for youth to have sports fields that are easily accessible. I am currently working to try to save Point Molate as a regional park.
• The Park District needs to be a leader in the region on how we respond to climate change and to create resilient shorelines to protect us against sea level rise and global warming.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I have spent decades working to create parks, save wildlife and habitat, and open up public lands for recreational use and enjoyment for all people. I am an attorney who has worked pro bono for the Sierra Club and local environmental groups. I came to the Bay Area because of the multiculural character and diversity of people who live here. My wife is a Taiwan born Chinese so issues about racism and how we promote diversity in our communities and in our parks is very important to me.

What qualities does this office possess that makes it a unique and important part of the state government and legal system?

The East Bay Regional Park District is the largest regional park system in the country. Its existence is the reason why the East Bay has so much protected open space for people to enjoy. It has expertise in many areas that it can bring to the table to help us deal with climate change.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

I look up to individuals who have worked for making our lives better and campaigned for justice and protecting our environment. Some examples are Martin Luther King, David Brower, Rosa Parks, Franklin Roosevelt, Abraham Lincoln, Sylvia McLaughlin, just to name a few.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

Karl Polanyi, The Great Transformation.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Integrity and honesty.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I have the skills and experience to be a director. I have worked deals to create parks. I have led successful campaigns to fund our parks and expand park land. I also have held elective office so I know what is needed to solve problems.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Working with others to create solutions and outcomes based on consensus.

What legacy would you like to leave?

Doubled the size of the Park District, protected wildlife and habitat, and made recreational opportunities in our parks more available to people.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Gettysburg by Allen Guezelo

Are there any little-known powers or responsibilities held by this office that you believe more people should be aware of?

The Park District has a Stewardship department that focuses on enhancing and protecting wildlife and habitat.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for holders of this office to have previous experience in government or politics?

Directors need experience in creating parks and making government work. They should also have had held prior elective office. I have served on my city council as Mayor and city council member so I bring that experience and knowledge to the job.

What kind of skills or expertise do you believe would be the most helpful for the holders of this office to possess?

I have brought people together to create parks and reached solutions on how our parks should be used. The skill is being able to work with others to create positive outcomes.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

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