California State Assembly 2020 Preview: Two Champions in Districts 79 & 80

Assembly Districts 79 & 80 have a lot in common. They’re both majority minority districts with huge margins for registered democrats. And they’re both represented by strong women running for re-election who are unafraid to take on powerful political forces.  

Expect to see some blowback against Assembly member Shirley Weber and a lot of bluster aimed at Assembly member Lorena Gonzalez. 

Although Weber’s police use-of-force bill coalition made a sincere effort at getting support from the law enforcement industrial complex, resentments that any constraints were approved remain just under the surface. We’re just one police officer shot at away from the barrage of “we told you so.”

The 79th District Assembly member has continually challenged the status quo in California education industrial complex, and this year will be focusing on how school districts all-too-often misspend monies meant for disadvantaged students.

Gonzalez has made some really bitter enemies beyond the usual chamber of commerce toadys, with her support of laws limiting exemptions for vaccinations and codifying a court decision that undermined the whole concept of “independent contractors.” 

Follow those saying they’re getting the short end of the stick with these bills on Twitter and you’ll think it’s just a matter of time before she’s recalled or gets hammered at the ballot box. 

The vaxxers couldn’t even get enough signatures for a ballot measure and had to give up.

Should the labor law (AB5) be rescinded, the situation would not change. The Dynamex Court decision (which has already been through the appeals process) holds employers to an even tougher standard.  

So there’s a lot of noise because these two women legislators have done what they believe to be the right thing. Will it impact the outcome of their 2020 campaigns? Not. Gonna. Happen.

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Carmelita “C.L.” Larrabaster is one of two Republicans challenging Weber in the 79th. She has the endorsement of the County Republican Party.  

Her 2016 run at public office (Running as Carmelita Larrabaster Vinson) ended when Chula Vista’s city clerk could not verify “20 good signatures” in a petition to run for City Council and thus was disqualified. 

There isn’t much on the internet about her. A purported campaign website doesn’t load. She sells real estate and is a motivational speaker. She does mention on a Facebook page that she’s filled in a questionnaire from the Union-Tribune, so when/if that comes out, I’ll update this.

Carmelita Larrabester
Website | Facebook | Twitter

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Republican John Moore was an unsuccessful candidate for Assembly District in 2018 and 2016. He’s a retired businessman, served in the Air Force and has volunteered for several San Diego area republican campaigns.

He apparently has left his web page from 2018 online because it says he has also been endorsed by the county GOP. The County GOP page says “nope, Carmelita is our candidate.”

Most of what’s up on Moore’s campaign site are leftover attacks on Shirley Weber from 2018, for example, a Union-Tribune interview where the candidate rails against sex education in San Diego public schools.

• “The Healthy Youth Act of 2015 authored by my opponent Dr. Shirley Weber opened a door to sexual topics that have parents in an uproar, "too much too soon".

• SDUSD Sex Ed is driving a wedge between parents and their children. A comic book used to describe various sex acts and instruments was deemed too obscene to be shown during a TV interview with an angry parent. That same comic book is appropriate for 11 year old girls according to SDUSD.”

John Moore
Website | Facebook | Twitter

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Democratic incumbent Shirley Weber was recruited to run for the assembly by Toni Atkins, who regarded Weber as an inspiring role model. She helped establish the Africana studies program at San Diego State University, where she taught for 40 years.

Weber is perhaps the only local politician who could best be described as a living legend. The San Diego Union Tribune named her Person of the Year for 2019. Voice of San Diego called her a Voice of the Year for 2019.

Although the latest round of accolades was in response to legislation redefining the legal standard for law enforcement’s justifiable use of deadly force, Weber’s tenacity and focus are the hallmarks of her legislative tenure.

While the assemblywoman has had great success in building political coalitions in Sacramento, she’s not much of a politician when it comes to campaigning. She is what she is, and doesn’t have to try very hard to sell her message.

Shirley Weber
Website | Facebook | Twitter

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Lorena Gonzalez is the Democratic incumbent in the 80th assembly district, and this will be her last campaign for that seat, since she’s already declared for Secretary of State in 2022.

These days, the mere mention of her name will draw scowls or worse from reactionaries. The local GOP is trying to use her as the centerpiece for their “organizing campaign.” 

Republicans will almost certainly lose the mayor’s seat in San Diego this year, along with the likelihood of further loses at the Board of Supervisors and the City Council. 

So they’re desperate. But not desperate enough to get head shots for their candidates.

The hubbub over AB5, which sought to modify a court ruling that virtually eliminated the concept of independent contractors, shouldn’t obscure Gonzalez’ other legislative accomplishments.

She’s won a lot of battles worth fighting. Stopping police from taking DNA swabs in non-arrest situations, check. Ending small city obstruction to transportation/climate change programs, check. Making it easier to vote in California, check. Increasing the minimum wage, paid sick leave, overtime for farm workers, protecting janitorial workers from sexual harassment, testing for lead in public school drinking water… check, check, check, check, and check.

This year she’s advocating for free bus passes for youth under 18, legislation to ban “virginity testing.”  and celebrating the suspension of sales tax on children’s diapers and feminine hygiene products.

Unlike Shirley Weber, Lorena Gonzalez is very much a political animal. She’s made enemies along the way, fallen out and made up with interest groups, and has a deserved reputation for being intolerant of bullshit.

Lorena Gonzalez
Website | Facebook | Twitter

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Lincoln Picard is a perennial Republican candidate who has yet to best 30% in any contest, including two previous stabs at this assembly seat and a San Diego City Council bid against David Alvarez.

He’s crusty, gun lovin’, and politically incorrect. He thinks a post describing local Latinx politicos as “Frito Bandidos” is worth sharing on Facebook. And he’s campaigning on the claim that climate change is a hoax.

Picard has a pinned tweet that reads: "Banning Muslims is not Anti-American.  It was routine before 1952. The Koran & Sharia law call for overthrowing the U.S. Constitution."

Lincoln Picard
Website | Facebook | Twitter

John J Vogel is the endorsed candidate of the San Diego County Republican Party. Having lost in 2016 as a candidate for District 2 representative on the South Bay Irrigation District, and in a 1994 AD 79 contest, he figured it was time to fail upward.

He apparently works for the County of San Diego. He has little to no online presence.

John J Vogel
Website | Facebook | Twitter

It case it wasn’t obvious, I am a fan of both incumbent Assembly members, even though I don’t live in either district.

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