The word is definitely out,” says Gregory S. Stein, 31, of his intention to run for the 78th Assembly District seat. Formerly director of research policy at University of California at San Diego, Stein left that position mid-July to pursue a career in politics.

He wasn’t always a budding politician. Until 1992 he was a confessed computer nerd teaching and working in desktop publishing and network management. He realized his talent for organizing and fund-raising while working for Rep. Jay Dickey of Arkansas.

Stein later went to work as district director for Rep. Brian Bilbray. overseeing staff and acting as liaison between local and state officials. During that time he created a multiagency task force to implement procedures for Bilbray’s Cross-Border Pollution Reduction Act, and he worked as Bilbray’s senior legislative assistant in Washington.

In 1998 he managed Bilbray’s successful re-election campaign. After Bilbray’s loss in the next election, Stein was responsible for developing and implementing strategies to ensure that government policy enhanced university efforts in research at UCSD.

“With all my experience on issues and policy,” says Stein, “I was frustrated by activities in Sacramento.” Hence his decision to run for office.

Stein’s main community activities have been on the boards of the American Jewish Committee of San Diego and San Diego Youth and Community Services. For both of those organizations he created a young professionals associate board to keep young people involved in decision making.

Other community involvements include serving on several San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce committees and the San Diego Taxpayers Association. He graduated from Warren College at UCSD and has remained involved in many campus-related organizations and activities.

Greg Stein at a New Year’s Day‘power breakfast’ with friends Eric Mondero and David Schroeder.

— Sandy Pasqua