Remembering Kam Kuwata

12 April 2011 |permalink | email article

He was a man for all seasons, a Democratic consultant who, as California Assembly Speaker John Perez recalled, often referred to himself as a hack but was anything but. He never insulted journalists’ with his spin.

Bill Carrick, a Democratic strategist who worked closely with Kuwata, echoed the thoughts of Democrats in California and Washington, calling him great mentor of young people…with hundreds of friends in both parties.
Former Los Angeles Mayor Jim Hahn, a Superior Court judge, called Kuwata always a “calming influence. In a room full of people, Kam would be the person who would people speak first, then come in with some short, wise saying.”

Said Senator Dianne Feinstein whose 2012 re-election campaign he was working at the time of his death, said “he was respected by people in politics and journalism, something I always thought spoke volumes about the kind of person he was.”

Governor Jerry Brown noted his analytical skills, coupled with his gentle approach to a tough business. “Kam’s wisdom and graciousness will be missed.”

Calbuzz called him a gentle bear of a man. “Politically, he was relentlessly determined, intense and fierce on behalf of his clients and causes, but always did his work with a civility and kindness that reflected the compassionate and humanistic perspective he brought to the business.”

He called me a few weeks ago about a developing 2012 campaign in which I am interested. Feinstein was his full-time client but he offered to keep in touch with some ideas. Kam was that kind of friend. 

 

 

 

 

198