The Lowdown on Who Wants to Represent San Diego in Sacramento
San Diego County Legislative Districts - State Senate 39; Assembly 71,75,76,77,78,79,80
There really isn’t much to be excited about in our local contests for State Senate and Assembly this year. The party registration of the district will dictate the likely outcome, incumbents will prevail.
The Assembly’s 78th District is the one exception to this observation. Assm. Todd Gloria is stepping down to run for Mayor, and the area is so heavily Democratic it was correctly assumed there would be a Dem vs Dem matchup in the general election. That contest would best be described as insider vs. outsider, with the insider having the blessing of the retiring incumbent.
I am not saying you shouldn’t bother learning about these contests. These state legislators have a huge impact on everybody’s lives in the region, and several of them are destined for higher office. Voting (Blue) “all the way down the ballot” is the best way to ensure a brighter future.
This just about concludes my writings on local elective contests. I’ll update and condense these essays into a Progressive Voter Guide, to be published at the end of the month.
State Senate District 39
Encompasses most of the city of San Diego, along with some of its inner suburbs; stretches along the coastline from Coronado to Solana Beach.
Democratic registration advantage: +20.65%
Overview: Incumbent Atkins will return to Sacramento
Tony Atkins (Democratic Incumbent)
Website | Facebook | Twitter |
Bio: Born and raised in southwestern Virginia, the daughter of a miner and a seamstress, moved to San Diego in 1985, director of clinic services at Womancare Health Center, aide to City Councilmember and LGBT trailblazer Christine Kehoe
Education: Emory & Henry College, BA in political science; completed the senior executive program at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.
Relevant experience: 8 years on SD City Council, 6 years in Assembly
Significant accomplishment: Elected Speaker of State Assembly, President Pro Tem State Senate
Politics in a nutshell: Progressive Pragmatist
$$$$
Aggregate fundraising: $1,191,651.40
Atkins has used her fundraising prowess to fund up and coming Democratic candidates and local Democratic clubs.
A Sampling of links
Sen. Toni Atkins Reflects On 'Most Difficult Year' In The Legislature
Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins Discusses California's Response To The Coronavirus
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Linda Blankenship (Republican)
Website | Facebook | Endorsements
Bio: Born in Georgia, military brat, lived in San Diego in the 1960s.
Education: Graduated from high school at Convent of Sacred Heart in Menlo, one year at Point Loma Nazarene College.
Relevant experience: Small business owner, campaign volunteer, president Fairbanks Republican Women’s Club
Significant accomplishment: Western Regional Field Director GOPAC
Politics in a nutshell: Old school Republican
$$$$
Aggregate fundraising: $19, 910.19
A Sample link
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Assembly District 71
Encompasses Backcountry in San Diego County, and a small portion of Riverside County
Republican registration advantage: +10.93%
Overview: The district is trending Blue, but it’s likely to return the incumbent back to Sacramento.
Elizabeth Lavertu (Democrat)
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Endorsements
Bio: Born and raised in rural America, volunteered in retirement homes, Girl Scouts, Vacation Bible School, teaching Sunday School, and facilitated support groups at the Aids Research Center
Education n/a
Relevant experience: Volunteered at schools to ensure arts programs were safeguarded from budget cuts; raising over $100,000 for the installation of an outdoor fitness circuit at Jamacha Elementary.
Significant accomplishment: Chair of the Spring Valley Community Planning Group
Politics in a nutshell: Liberal
$$$$
Aggregate fundraising: $30,670.27
A Sampling of links
Q&A: Elizabeth Lavertu, candidate for State Assembly District 71
Races to represent 71st, 75th districts in CA State Assembly attract few challengers
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Randy Voepel (Incumbent Republican)
Bio: U.S. Navy veteran with two Vietnam combat tours of duty, businessman in financial services specializing in corporate benefits; active in his Church, four service clubs and the Boy Scouts.
Education: Saint Leo University
Relevant experience: Santee City Councilmember (1996-2000); Mayor of Santee (2000-2016)
Significant accomplishment: Lifetime score of 16% on the CA Environmental Scorecard
Politics in a nutshell: Neanderthal Republican
$$$$
Aggregate fundraising $142,255.16
A Sampling of links
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Assembly District 75
Inland parts of San Diego County's North County; southernmost part of the Inland Empire.
GOP Registration advantage: +5.84%
Overview: There is a slight --depending on turnout-- chance the Democratic challenger could prevail. This district won’t be Republican for much longer.
Kate Schwartz (Democrat)
Bio: Lived in District 75 for over 20 years. Licensed Behavioral Health Care Provider
Education: Bachelor of Social Welfare from Cal State, Masters at Columbia University
Relevant experience: Elected official on the Fallbrook Regional Health District Board.
Significant accomplishment: Chair of the Government Relations/Community Engagement Committee
Politics in a nutshell: Liberal
$$$$
Aggregate fundraising $5,650.00
A Sampling of links
Kate Schwartz Looks to Unseat Waldron in 75th Assembly District
Q&A: Kate Schwartz, candidate for State Assembly District 75
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Marie Waldron (Incumbent Republican)
Bio: Formerly Operations Manager for NBC Sports in New York, handled commercial operations for Times Mirror Cable TV in San Diego and worked with New York Mets Promotions department. Business owner, formerly on the Board of Directors for the North County Transit District, the city’s representative to the League of California Cities, the Regional Solid Waste Association Board, and Escondido’s Investment subcommittee.
Education: Bachelor of Science degree in Athletic Administration and Communications from St. John's University, also attended San Diego State University and University of San Diego.
Relevant experience: Escondido City Council (1998-2012)
Significant accomplishment: Serves as Assembly Republican Leader
Politics in a nutshell: Traditional Business Republican
$$$$
Aggregate fundraising: $639,769.56
A Sampling of links
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Assembly District 76
Coastal North County, from Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in the north to Encinitas in the south.
Democratic registration advantage: + 5.77%
Overview: Boerner-Horvath’s colleagues in the state capital must really like her. They’ve lined up to make sure her campaign has enough resources to return her to Sacramento.
Tasha Boerner Horvath (Incumbent Democrat)
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Endorsements
Bio: Third generation Encinitan, businesswoman, has worked for global Fortune 500 companies, non-profits, and higher-education institutions, former PTA leader.
Education: UC Berkeley BA Political Science, Claremont Graduate University Institute of Politics and Policy MA International Studies; some graduate work was done at Humboldt University of Berlin.
Relevant experience: Encinitas city planning commission, Encinitas City Council
Significant accomplishment: Assistant Majority Whip in Assembly
Politics in a nutshell: Pragmatic Liberal
$$$$
Aggregate fundraising: $1,239,720.94
A Sampling of links
Q&A: Tasha Boerner Horvath, candidate for State Assembly District 76
Boerner Horvath’s Colleagues Like Her So Much They Gave Her $200K
Boerner Horvath's bill protecting San Onofre State Beach awaits governor's signature
Melanie Burkholder
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Endorsements
Bio: Former secret service agent, mental health counselor, frequent guest of KUSI giving health advice.
Education: University of Memphis, Masters in Counseling, Educational Psychology and Research; Licensed Mental Health Counselor; PhD in Clinical Christian Counseling.
Relevant experience: Ran unsuccessfully for the Carlsbad Unified School District board of trustees (2018); candidate for the Carlsbad City Council in 2016, but withdrew less than a month before the election.
Significant accomplishment: Protection assignments for the President, Vice-President, and many foreign dignitaries.
Politics in a nutshell: Conservative Republican
$$$$
Aggregate fundraising: $83,591.48
A Sampling of links
Assembly District 77
Northern San Diego east of Interstate 5, centered on Marine Corps Air Station Miramar; extends into the North County region, including the city of Poway.
Democratic registration advantage: + 6.30%
Overview: The incumbent made the right decision by switching parties.
Brian Maienschein (Incumbent Democrat) (Switched parties in 2019)
Bio: San Diego’s first Commissioner on Homelessness; known for his response to the 2003 Cedar Fire and the 2007 Witch Creek Fire.
Education: University of California, Santa Barbara and California Western School of Law
Relevant experience: Eight years on the San Diego City Council; unsuccessful run for City Attorney in 2008.
Significant accomplishment: 2019 March of Dimes California Legislative Champion for work to improve Maternal Mental Health. Also: Easter Seals California Assembly Champion Award for work with the developmentally disabled community, San Diego Humane Society’s Humane Hero Compassion Award for championing animal rights.
Politics in a nutshell: Centrist Democrat
$$$$
Aggregate fundraising $974,330.31
A Sampling of links
Republicans face uphill battle in unseating newly Democratic Assemblyman Brian Maienschein
Democratic Assemblyman Maienschein Faces A Challenger From His Former Party
Q&A: Brian Maienschein, candidate for State Assembly District 77
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June Cutter (Republican)
Bio: Raised in Orange County, attorney, small business owner.
Education: UC Irvine, BA ; University of Southern California, JD
Relevant experience: President of the parent teacher organization from 2018 to 2020.
Significant accomplishment: Founded Simply Cutter, a design-based organizing service that helps families stay tidy and increase productivity through functional systems.
Politics in a nutshell: Conservative Republican
$$$$
Aggregate fundraising $362,903.19
A Sampling of links
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Assembly District 78
San Diego County's coast from Solana Beach to the Mexican border, including part of San Diego Bay and coastal San Diego.
Democratic registration advantage: +26.63%
Overview: Insider Chris Ward has the organizational and financial advantages, especially in this no-door-knocking year to win over Bernie style progressive Sarah Davis.
Chris Ward (Democrat; endorsed by local party)
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Endorsements
Bio: Environmental planner at EDAW, working with local government to develop land use plans and conduct environmental review; researcher at the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research at UCSD. Volunteer work includes San Diego Community College District’s Citizens Oversight Committee, San Diego Human Dignity Foundation board of directors San Diego LGBT Center Board of Directors, San Diego GLBT Historic Task Force; accepted in the Truman National Security Project Class of 2015 Partners.
Education: Johns Hopkins University BA; Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, Masters in Public Policy and Urban Planning
Relevant experience: San Diego City Council member, served as the Chief of Staff to State Senator Marty Block
Significant accomplishment: Introduced the City’s first Equal Pay Ordinance
Politics in a nutshell: Pragmatic Progressive
$$$$
Aggregate fundraising: $795,660.36
A Sampling of links:
San Diego city council members explain approval of budget with increased police funding
City Council Approves 80-Hour Mandated Sick Leave for Large Employers in City
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Sarah Davis (Democrat)
Bio: Born and raised in San Diego. California licensed midwife and lactation consultant, founded and operated Simple Diaper Service, an eco-friendly cloth diaper rental, laundry and delivery service, worked in family business, Al Davis Furniture & Mattress World.
Education: Went from preschool and Kensington to elementary school in Hillcrest high school in La Jolla, National Midwifery Institute
Relevant experience: Served on the board of directors of the California Association of Midwives; advocated in Sacramento on behalf of families and midwives to achieve access for midwives.
Significant accomplishment: Started own small business
Politics in a nutshell: Progressive
$$$$
Aggregate fundraising $113,282.90
A Sampling of links
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Assembly District 79
Southeastern San Diego and its closest eastern suburbs.
Democratic voter registration advantage: +22.48%
Overview: The GOP’s token opposition is no match for a legislator who is beloved in her district.
Shirley Weber (Incumbent Democrat)
Bio: Born in Hope, Arkansas. Parents were sharecroppers, moved to California when she was 3 years old. Taught at California State University at Los Angeles and Los Angeles City College. Was professor of African-American studies at San Diego State. Life long advocate for civil rights and excellence in education.
Education: University of California, Los Angeles; BA (1970), a Master of Arts (1971), Ph.D in communication (1975)
Relevant experience: Trustee and later president of the San Diego Board of Education (1988-1996) Chairwoman of the San Diego Citizens’ Equal Opportunity Commission, Board of the NAACP, YWCA, YMCA Scholarship Committee, Battered Women Services, United Way, San Diego Consortium and Private Industry Council
Significant accomplishment: There are many, like AB 953, which requires police departments across the state to collect demographic data on the people they stop.
Politics in a nutshell: Independent Liberal
$$$$
Aggregate fundraising- $286,150.00
A Sampling of links
Chased out of Arkansas as a child, Shirley Weber won't back down in California Capitol
Dr. Shirley Weber: State Assembly member and educator is drawn to the hard fights
Governor Signs Shirley Weber's Bill Requiring Ethnic Studies Course for Cal State Graduation
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John Moore (Republican)
Website | no social media
Bio: Four years US Air Force, worked as programmer and systems designer, real estate broker
Education: University of Arizona, BA in Economics; USC MBA Quantitative Business Analysis and Real Estate
Relevant experience: Has worked as volunteer on local GOP campaigns
Significant accomplishment: Given a special award for saving the life of another employee that was choking to death.
Politics in a nutshell: Full blown right winger. Antifa’s comin’ for your momma!
$$$$
Aggregate fundraising - $0
A Sampling of links
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Assembly District 80
Encompasses the southern parts of urban San Diego County to the Mexican border and takes in the Latino core of the metropolitan area.
Democratic registration advantage: +32.77
Overview: The only question in this race will be whether Gonzalez can win with more than a two to one margin. Lots of internet warriors have boasted about how they would get even with the incumbent for daring to stand up for workers and children.
Lorena Gonzalez (Incumbent Democrat)
Bio: Father immigrated to California from Mexico; mother was a nurse. Worked as the Senior Advisor to California’s Lt. Governor Cruz Bustamante, served on the California State Lands Commission and the California Coastal Commission. First woman and first person of color to be elected CEO and Secretary-Treasurer for the San Diego and Imperial Counties Labor Council, AFL-CIO.
Education: Graduate of Stanford University, Georgetown University - Masters, UCLA - Law degree.
Relevant experience: Incumbent legislator, universally recognized as effective, even by her enemies.
Significant accomplishments: Legislation for paid sick leave, Chair of the Assembly Appropriations Committee. Public enemy #1 for corporate trolls and conspiracists.
Politics in a nutshell: Labor Progressive
$$$$
Aggregate fundraising - $890,458.00
A Sampling of links
California's Lorena Gonzalez: AB 5 champion, 'Black Widow of Public Policy'
Q&A: Lorena Gonzalez, candidate for State Assembly District 80
John Vogel (Republican)
Bio: Worked for the City of San Diego in I.T. Department, formed a small business for a short stint. Currently works for the County of San Diego’s ConnectWellSD Technical Domain Lead under the Health & Human Services Agency.
Education: University of Houston, Clear Lake, Bachelor in Computer Science.
Relevant experience: Served on the City of Chula Vista’s Parks and Recreation Committee, President of the National Management Association (City of San Diego), 2008 graduate of the Chula Vista Leadership Academy.
Significant accomplishment: Was losing candidate for District 2 South Bay Irrigation District in 2016.
Politics in a nutshell: Hard Core Republican.
$$$$
Aggregate fundraising - $11,837.32
A Sampling of links
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I want to give a special shout out to The Ballot Book, whose research provided the foundation for much of my work in this series.
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Voter Guide – You’ve Voted for President, what’s next?
This work will be condensed into a handy-dandy voter guide just in time for your mail-in ballots to arrive. I’m the guy who coordinated San Diego Free Press’s Voter Guides over the past decade, so this won’t be my first effort. Stay tuned.
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