2024 Primary Election Guide: Dr Akilah Weber Running for CA State Senate D39
When California Assemblymember Dr. Akilah Weber (https://drakilahweber.com/) announced for the seat in April of 2023, the coast was clear for her to cruise to victory. Senate President pro Tempore Toni Atkins is termed out and has announced a campaign for Governor in 2026.
This seat was then-County Supervisor Nathan Fletcher’s next step up the political ladder. The Republican Assemblyman who changed parties was coming back as a Democrat with a bunch of political capital to spend. The State Senate could have been Fletcher’s stepping stone to higher office. And now that’s all gone.
The placeholder Republican on the ballot, Bob Devine, is a mystery man who apparently doesn’t have a campaign. Did his father run for State Senate D40 in 1998? Or is this the same person? Who knows, I suppose, and nobody probably cares, since it’s been nearly two decades since any state candidate with an R next to his/her name hasn’t been trounced.
The so-called recall of Gov. Newsom went down by 2 to 1 margin in the district. Trump in 2020 got less than 30% of the vote.
Elected to the State Assembly in 2021, Dr. Weber currently represents California’s 79th district, including La Mesa, Lemon Grove and Spring Valley, as well as part of El Cajon and San Diego.
She’s done well by her constituents, having authored a dozen bills that have been signed into law, including legislation relating to the health of students, contraceptive care and the medical practices for victims of domestic violence.
Prior to moving on to Sacramento, Weber served on the La Mesa City Council where she helped implement the city’s Climate Action Plan, as well as establishing the Community Police Oversight Board and a homelessness task force.
As a board-certified obstetrician/gynecologist, Weber founded the Pediatric & Adolescent Gynecology Division at Rady Children’s Hospital.
Her mother, Secretary of State Shirley Weber, represented District 79 in the State Assembly until she was appointed — and later elected — to her current position by Governor Gavin Newsom.
In an age when anti-science is a real danger. Dr. Weber deserves our support, even if she’s running unopposed.
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