|
Ask the customers at Los Gatos Roasting Company for their opinion on the upcoming elections and they will readily offer their thoughts on President Bush and potential Democratic rivals. Others might turn their eyes to the state and Propositions 57 and 58.
But few will mention the 21st state Assembly District race.
In an election year crowded with presidential hopefuls and bond measures, the 21st state Assembly race could easily slip under a voter's radar. But with four Democrats contesting for their party's nomination this March, it may not be that easy to ignore.
The 21st District spans the South Bay, encompassing all or part of 13 cities in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties, including Los Gatos, Monte Sereno, Palo Alto and Redwood City. Assemblyman Joe Simitian has been the representative for the district for the past four years, but will give up his seat to make a run for the state Senate in November.
Four Democrats are vying for his seat this March. The winner of the primary will go on to face Steve Poizner, a well-funded Republican and Los Gatos resident, in the November general election.
Each candidate offers distinct reasons why he or she should be the nominee come March.
Barbara Nesbet is the only woman running and is the most local of the candidates. A member of the Monte Sereno City Council, Nesbet touts her experience in Sacramento working on the state budget as an asset to her candidacy. Her priorities at the state level are to push for structural changes in campaign-finance reforms as well as budget and fiscal policy.
Ira Ruskin is the most experienced of the candidates when it comes to holding political office, and he comes from Redwood City, the largest city in the district. As a council member and then mayor of Redwood City, Ruskin pushed through a budget-reform policy at the height of the boom in 1999.
John Barton is a Palo Alto school board member who cites education as one of his top priorities. Barton has taught in both the community college and the UC systems and says this experience has provided him with firsthand knowledge of what schools in California need.
John Carcione, the youngest of the candidates, is running on his experience as a reformer. As a member of the West Bay Sanitary District, Carcione started a grass-roots campaign to bring new leadership to the board after an embezzlement scandal. Now president of the district, Caricone has helped balance the budget and implement several new environmental programs.
The election will take place March 2.
|
