11 State House Seats Up for Grabs in San Diego County
Voters choose between incumbents and challengers in four Senate and seven Assembly races this Tuesday.
By Thomas Bennett ·
Eleven seats in the California State Legislature are contested by San Diego County voters on Tuesday, a tally that includes four state Senate positions and seven state Assembly districts. The contests pair several incumbent officials against new challengers, with the June primary results providing a baseline for the general election matchups.
The 18th Senate District race pits Democrat Steve Padilla, a former Chula Vista mayor, against Republican Art Hodges, a Pentecostal bishop. Padilla won the primary with 64 percent of the vote. Both candidates cite cross-border pollution in the Tijuana River Valley and housing costs as key issues. Hodges also emphasizes parental rights regarding religious freedom and moral beliefs.
In the 32nd Senate District, Republican Kelly Seyarto faces Democratic challenger Tiffanie Tate. Seyarto, a retired firefighter and former Murrieta mayor, received 58 percent of the primary vote. Tate, a physician and Navy veteran, proposes expanding funding for CalWORKs and SNAP while increasing Medi-Cal eligibility.
The 38th Senate District features Democrat Catherine Blakespear against Republican Laura Bassett. Blakespear, a former Encinitas mayor, won the primary with 55 percent of the vote. Bassett, a licensed professional fiduciary, focuses on reducing state spending and addressing coastal erosion in beach communities.
Republican Brian Jones holds the 40th Senate District seat but is not a candidate in the current cycle. Democrat Mara Elliott faces Republican Kristie Bruce-Lane for the open seat. Elliott, the former San Diego city attorney, received 48 percent of the primary vote. Bruce-Lane, a businesswoman, advanced in the primary by narrowly defeating fellow Republican Ed Musgrove.
Assembly races include the 74th District, where Republican Laurie Davies challenges for a fourth term against Democrat Sergio Farias. Davies received 52.3 percent of the primary vote. Farias, a San Juan Capistrano council member, focuses on streamlining homebuilding.
In the 75th District, Republican Carl DeMaio faces Democrat Gerald Boursiquot. DeMaio, who founded Reform California, won the primary with nearly 60 percent of the vote. Boursiquot, a military veteran, proposes expanding health care access and rural public transportation.
Other contests include the 76th, 77th, 78th, 79th, and 80th Assembly Districts. In the 80th District, Democrat David Alvarez faces Republican Alejandro Galicia. Alvarez received nearly 60 percent of the primary vote and prioritizes Tijuana River Valley pollution. Galicia, a Chula Vista small-business owner, did not have a campaign website listed at the time of reporting.
Source: Community Paper
