Debra Lewis Statement
We deserve a city that puts residents first and works to preserve our quality of life. We deserve a city that is fiscally responsible. Many challenges still lie ahead and meeting them successfully requires skillful leaders who will listen to and work for the community. That is why I’m running for City Council.
Over the last few years I witnessed the past and current city councils ignore resident’s objections and brush aside their pleas to make developers follow the 2008 Town Center Plan which was approved by the Coastal Commission. Instead of being our voice and upholding our vision, the council deferred to outsider developers who viewed Dana Point as an economic target.
As a former Mayor of Rancho Santa Margarita I know proven leadership is essential to make a city work for its residents. I stand for responsible development that will bring new businesses, restaurants and shops in to Dana Point without sacrificing Dana Point’s small village appeal and harm the quality of life in our neighborhoods. I was a Measure H signatory on the ballot and its strong supporter. Measure H saved the Town Center Plan but many other crucial decisions lay ahead. We must build on Measure H’s success and ensure a city council that passionately shares the resident’s vision for Dana Point.
Debra Lewis Biography
Debra Lewis was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois and attended University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, where she graduated with a B.A. in Psychology. She met and married Steve Lewis while both were still college students. After graduating they moved to Los Angeles so Steve could attend UCLA’s Master’s and Ph.D. program in Statistics/Epidemiology while Debra went to Southwestern Law School and received a Juris Doctorate and then attended Georgetown University Law Center and received a Master’s in tax law. They then came back to California so Steve could complete his UCLA Ph.D.
After working in the tax department of a large accounting firm for a few years Debra then took a job in the corporate law department of an Orange County law firm. After practicing in other law firms, she founded her own firm along with her youngest daughter who is also an attorney as her partner.
Debra and Steve have two daughters, Rachel and Sara. Rachel and her husband Mike live in Southern California with their two children, Abbey and Ethan. Sara was widowed in 2014 and lives in Texas with her children Lexie and Bailey.
Moving to Rancho Santa Margarita in 1989, Debra did pro bono work, helping a dedicated group of RSM residents trying to make Rancho Santa Margarita into a city. With the success of their efforts, RSM became California’s 33rd city in 1999. After being elected to the City Council in 2000, Debra Lewis was sworn in as RSM’s first Mayor.
Debra has served on numerous boards including serving as President of the RSM Chamber of Commerce. As President she was part of the South Orange County Regional Chamber board. She also served on former OC Supervisor Tom Wilson’s ‘kitchen cabinet’ and is currently on the board and Vice President of the North San Diego County Bar Association.
Currently, Debra is semi-retired and enjoying the time she gets to spend with her grandkids and traveling with the family. She also is an avid Yoga participant, likes to cook, read, take walks on the beach with Steve and play golf. Debra looks forward to the challenges that running as a candidate for city council and ultimately becoming a councilperson will bring into her life.
Please visit Debra’s website at: https://DebraLewisDanaPoint.com