SEIU California announces legislative endorsements, including a Republican

Assemblyman Eric Linder could be a Democratic target this year, with at least three Democrats so far announcing candidacies for Linder’s western Riverside County district.

Friday, though, SEIU California, a key Democratic ally during campaign season, announced its backing for Linder, R-Corona. It marked the first time in more than two decades that the 700,000-member union had endorsed a Republican – the last was the late Doris Allen, who was recalled from office after siding with Democrats during the Assembly speakership wars of the mid-1990.

In a statement, the union cited “Linder’s accessibility and willingness to meet face-to-face with constituents, as well as his track record for standing by workers who have voted for union representation in their workplace.”

Among the union’s other noteworthy endorsements:

3rd Senate District (Davis, Vacaville, Napa): Former Assemblywoman Mariko Yamada, D-Davis. Yamada faces Assemblyman Bill Dodd, D-Napa.

4th Assembly District (Davis, Napa): Yolo County Supervisor Don Saylor, D-Davis. Davis Councilman Dan Wolk, D-Davis, is among the other candidates.

39th Assembly District (San Fernando): Assemblywoman Patty Lopez, D-San Fernando. Former lawmaker Raul Bocanegra is also running.

47th Assembly District (San Bernardino): Not yet. Assemblywoman Cheryl Brown, D-San Bernardino, faces attorney Eloise Gomez Reyes.

64th Assembly District (Los Angeles): Assemblyman Mike Gipson, D-Los Angeles. Los Angeles planning commissioner Marta Segura also is running.

Editor’s note: This post was updated at 4:40 p.m. Friday to change AD-47 from “no endorsement” to “not yet.”

This story was originally published January 29, 2016 at 3:07 PM with the headline "SEIU California announces legislative endorsements, including a Republican."