Hueso for Assembly: Ramifications and Explanations
OK, I’ve gotten some clarity on the implications of Ben Hueso’s decision to file papers with the Secretary of State announcing that he will be running for State Assembly in 2010—specifically the 79th district, currently held by Mary Salas. I still await comment from Hueso himself.
Now, the domino effect:
• State Sen. Denise Ducheney will be termed out in 2010. Democratic Assemblymember Mary Salas has said she intends run for the seat, although she has also formed a committee to run for reelection to the Assembly. (UPDATE: I just spoke to Salas. She says the Assembly campaign committee will soon be closed out, everything is a go for the Senate race). Ducheney has endorsed Salas. Republican former State Assemblymember Shirley Horton has also indicated she intends to run for the seat, which includes chunks of San Diego, Imperial, and Riverside counties. In any event, Salas’ seat will be vacant, which is why…
• Hueso has gotten into the race for Salas’ seat in the Assembly There are currently no challengers for that seat unless Salas opts to run as an incumbent.. Salas has already endorsed Hueso to replace her. Hueso’s term as City Councilmember will be over in 2010 at that point which means…
• That the City Council seat for District 8 (San Ysidro, Logan Heights) will be an open race. There are any number of potential candidates there, including Remy Bermudez (who ran in 2006), Nick Inzunza (currently on the South Bay School Board), and Alonso Gonzalez, Hueso’s Deputy Chief of Staff, and, according to one source, Hueso’s choice to fill the seat.
Now, State Assemblywoman Lori Saldana will also be termed out in 2010. Saldana was rumored to be running for the Board of Equalization, but has also formed a committee to run for State Sen. Chris Kehoe’s seat in 2012, when Kehoe will be termed out.
Oddly, Kehoe has created a committee to run for state Assembly in 2010, or rather, she created a committee called: “Friends of Christine Kehoe for Assembly in 2010.” Running for assembly in 2010 would mean not completing her current Senate term AND she would be running against her one-time employee, former City Councilmember Toni Atkins.
In an e-mail to me, Atkins pointed out that Kehoe had in fact endorsed her, so she had no idea why the papers had been filed. Kehoe left me a voicemail saying that she intended to complete her Senate term, and that in fact she had just put in to change the name of the committee from 2010 to 2012 to keep her options open. She also said she wouldn’t run against a Democratic incumbent in that seat. Since that’s a Democratic district, and no one else has yet announced for that race, Atkins’ candidacy is looking very strong.
Since she wouldn’t run against Atkins, why file the papers? A source told me that one possible reason would be so she could raise money. Forming the committee would allow Kehoe to raise money which she could then donate to other campaigns, PACs, or local party organizations throughout the state. The source told me this is a very common tactic for safe incumbents.
It seems that Mr. Hueso has not dedicated himself to really paying full attention to solving San Diego’s crisis. At a time when he just took over as council prez. He told us that it was time for us to roll up our sleeves and get to work. Apparently he had no intention of helping with the real work that needs to be done.
Hi, Eric.
Shirley Horton will have a challenger for the GOP nomination for the 40th Senate seat – former Assemblymember Bonnie Garcia of Riverside County. let ‘em have at it! Mary Salas is a class act and looks strong. I’ve heard lots of folks are going to look at the 8th Council District – what a great open seat opportunity. Ben will likely be the front-runner in the 79th.
I agree the 8th council seat will be a great race. Ben will be receiving a lot of flak for his decision to bail out on his position as city council president.This could make his chosen replacement Alonzo very vulnerable to a grass roots campaign. I believe the people of this community are tired of having departing incumbents anoint their successors. By all means electing democrats to these seats will be a priority for the local party. But I believe the party has to look carefully at what kind of democrats receive party support. Do we really want a bunch of bad on the environment good for the developers types carrying the democratic banner.
Hi Alex – the Sac Bee reports that Bonnie Garcia will not be running against Salas. Right now everyone mentioned in this story aside from D8 candidates look like they have a pretty good shot at winning their seats.
Eric, B.D. Howard has also formed a campaign organization to run in the 39th district. He was Stephen Whitburn’s campaign director for Whitburn’s race in the Third Council District. B.D.’s folks are already out there “dialing for dollars.” Whew, let the games begin.
Gayle-
Are you kiddin’ me? B.D. ran a horrible campaign for Stephen. To see him run against a strong candidate like Salas is political suicide. I am pretty sure he is a DOA (Dead On Arrival) candidate.
Since Mary Salas is not running for that seat it seems Mr Blue has a problem with his information. It’s wrong. It’s my understanding that Mr Howard helped Ben get elected in the largest landslide in recent history. Considering Whitburn got beat by republican big money this might not be a good example for Mr BLUE to use.
As it happens, Howard tells me he’s running for Hueso’s City Council seat. http://lastblogonearth.com/2009/03/04/campaign-chief-becomes-2010-city-council-contender/
Tony-
You are not reading things correctly. I was responding to Gayle who says BD is running for state senate. It would be political suicide to run for state senate against Mary Salas with no experience and a bad campaign on his belt. He didn’t help Ben run his campaign, he did other work. And YES Mary Salas is running for 39th State Senate. Read the comments carefully before making assumptions and wrongfully commenting on my comments.
OK let’s try this again Blue. Mary Salas is running for the senate. Ben Hueso is running for State assembly and city council and who knows what other political offices he has his eyes on. Apparently the only thing he doesn’t have his eyes on is his job as council prez. BD Howard is exploring the possibility of running in either the 8th council district or 79th assembly district. As for your shoe in theory the Blue wasn’t a Hillary – Rudy match up a foregone just two years ago. Nostradamas you are not. Why don’t you go get your facts straight or stick to that blog you have that nobody responds to.
Oh by the way Nostrodamas not only did BD run Ben’s campaign he was his manager. I was there. So either use your real name or nobody will take you seriously . Remember Salas staffer your credibility effects your candidate and so far you are about 0 for 8. By the way boy genius I happen to like what Mary has done for veterans while in Sacramento so before you point your razor sharp wit at someone you might want to get your facts straight.
I am not sure where to start Tony but your put downs are just uncalled for. I am not a Salas staffer and I started a new blog because I like sharing desseminating news. Yesterday I had at least 20 unique visitors and you are right no one posts any response so please do feel free to post or if you want to blog on it let me know and I would be happy to set up an account, I would like more bloggers in order to rebut what redcounty/sandiego has. And I would be more than happy to tell you who I am but not in public blogs since I work for an agency that is very conservative and don’t need the hassle of getting my name out there in progressive blogs. Just email me at bluesd@bluesd.com and I will let you know who I am.