Politics & Government

Race for 79th Assembly District Seat Features 6 Challengers

The two top winners will face off in the November election.

Updated 1:45 p.m. Monday, June 4.

Six candidates are vying for a chance at the seat in the redistricted 79th Assembly.

The challengers in Tuesday's open primary election feature four Democrats and two Republicans. The contestants are SDSU professor Shirley Weber (D), community organizer Sid Voorakkara (D), Chula Vista City Councilman Rudy Ramirez (D), women's rights activist Pat Washington (D), Lemon Grove City Councilwoman and La Mesa Chamber of Commerce president and CEO Mary England (R), and Matt Mendoza (R), who works as a manager for Boeing Satellite Systems.

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The two top vote-getters—regardless of party—will face off in the November election.

Patch posed questions to candidates throughout San Diego County, in the guise of fictitious constituents of all ages, professions and backgrounds, to give those seeking the office the chance to address a variety of problems they might be faced with should they win the seat.

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Here are links to their answers:

England, Ramirez, and Voorakkara did not submit responses.

Editor's note: A previous version of this article stated incorrectly that Washington had not submitted a response, and that the seat was being vacated by Assemblyman Ben Hueso due to term limits.


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