2 LOCAL STATE ASSEMBLY RACES INCLUDE INCUMBENT, THREE VYING FOR OPEN SEAT
Republican-turned-democrat Maienschein faces Republican challenger in 77th District
In the state Assembly 77th District, a Republican has won every election cycle since 2012, and registration in the area has slightly favored Republicans.
But right now it’s represented by a Democrat.
Last year, incumbent Assemblyman Brian Maienschein abruptly decided to move across the aisle and become a Democrat just months after winning the most competitive contest of his political career as a Republican. Now the four-term incumbent from San Diego is much maligned in Republican circles and has drawn an impressive challenger heading into November. The 77th District represents inland northern San Diego and parts of North County, including Poway. The area includes more than 450,000 residents, most of whom reside in San Diego’s Carmel Valley, Clairemont, Mira Mesa, Rancho Peñasquitos and Tierrasanta. It also includes North County’s Fairbanks Ranch and Rancho Santa Fe.
Maienschein’s voting record has shifted left, and he will likely rely on local ties when seeking re-election. He previously served eight years on the San Diego City Council, during
he helped set up fire recovery centers in response to the 2003 Cedar fire and the 2007 Witch Creek fire. A graduate of California Western School of Law, Maienschein also was executive director of the Youth Court, a program intended to help first-time juvenile offenders.
He sits on Assembly committees on Housing Affordability for the Middle and Working Class and on Local Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, among others.
That record may not be enough to fend off Republican challenger June Cutter, an attorney and small business owner from Del Sur.
Cutter has been a practicing civil litigator for about 17 years with a focus on employment law for much of the past decade. She also is president of her local PTA and is well versed in discussing education.
On the campaign trail Cutter is pitching herself as a voice for the middle class and a working mom who focuses on some of the same problems those in her community endure such as traffic, homelessness and education. She highlights her intent to hold the legislature accountable for its spending and to work to expand highway infrastructure.
Because they are only two competitors, both Maienschein and Cutter will appear on the November ballot regardless of who gets the most primary votes.
78th District race to replace Gloria
Three Democratic comwhich petitors are fighting to replace Assemblyman Todd Gloria and represent the state Assembly’s 78th District, creating a competitive primary.
Gloria is vacating the seat as he runs for mayor of San Diego.
The district represents most of the city of San Diego and stretches from Solana Beach to Coronado. It includes more than 460,000 residents.
Sarah Davis, of Hillcrest, is a licensed midwife and lactation consultant. Once a member of the board of directors of the California Association of Midwives, Davis has previously advocated before the state legislature to improve access to midwifes for working class families.
In her campaign Davis prioritizes support for a universal single-payer health care system, affordable housing and transitioning to a green economy, among other things.
Micah Perlin, of Pacific Beach, is a small business owner and founder of Susterra, a technology consulting company. Perlin earned a master’s degree in Public Policy & Urban Planning from Princeton University.
On the campaign trail, Perlin is touting his 20 years of “real-world policy expertise” working with organizations on a wide range of issues including housing and education. Perlin is campaigning on his support for growing a green economy, modernizing the energy infrastructure and expanding access to mental health services, among other priorities.
Chris Ward, of University Heights, is a San Diego city councilman. First elected in 2016, Ward has focused on housing, homelessness and economic development. Some highlights of his tenure on City Council include authoring an equal pay ordinance and heading up the San Diego County Regional Task Force on Homeless.
In his campaign Ward is emphasizing support for child care and paid family leave, more homelessness funding and wraparound services, among other things.
The district is viewed as a Democratic stronghold. Since redistricting went into effect following the 2010 census, the district has only had Democratic representatives, and there are 60,000 more registered Democrats than Republicans in the area.
charles.clark@sduniontribune.com