Leyva to bow out + New CalChamber executive + Sac City Councilman runs for Assembly
Good morning and welcome to the A.M. Alert!
LEYVA WON’T RUN FOR RE-ELECTION
That’s one Democrat-vs-Democrat political fight we won’t see.
Sen. Connie Leyva, D-Chino, announced on Tuesday that she will not be seeking reelection this year. This announcement came after redistricting put Leyva in the same district as Sen. Susan Rubio, D-Baldwin Park.
“Like many of you, COVID-19 has allowed us to reevaluate our priorities and what truly matters in our lives. This past week, while celebrating the holidays with my family, I came to the ultimate decision not to run for re-election to the State Senate so that I can be home more often when I complete my term later this year. It continues to be an honor to serve the families and communities of San Bernardino County and the Inland Empire in the Legislature — and I will continue working just as hard to deliver the quality representation that families in our region deserve through the remainder of my time in office,” Leyva said in a statement.
After Leyva made her announcement, Rubio took to Twitter to offer her thanks to Leyva for her years of service in the Senate. Leyva wrote laws that banned secret settlements in sexual harassment lawsuits, expanded access to abortion services at public universities and protecting public employee pensions by barring CalPERS from clawing back retirees’ income over miscalculations.
“As a Senator, her work has been distinguished by tenacious advocacy for women and working families. I know the personal sacrifice that public service requires. That’s why I also want to thank her family, whom have sacrificed along with her. I look forward to working with Senator Leyva and collaborating to serve the residents of Senate District 22,” Rubio wrote.
CALCHAMBER GETS A NEW CHIEF OF STAFF
The California Chamber of Commerce has a new chief of staff for policy: Ben Golombek will assume the role of executive vice president beginning Jan. 17.
“In the role, Golombek will head up CalChamber’s policy staff, providing strategic oversight and management of CalChamber’s legislative and regulatory priorities,” according to a CalChamber statement released Tuesday.
Golombek comes to CalChamber via AT&T, where he served as west region vice president for public affairs and managed a team of 20 “to create and implement legislative campaigns and media strategies to educate and influence lawmakers, regulators and consumers for eight states including California,” according to CalChamber.
Golombek also has served as chief of staff to three California assemblymembers, and prior to that he worked at Los Angeles City Hall in a variety of positions, including as deputy press secretary for then-Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.
GUERRA SWITCHES TRACKS, RUNS FOR ASSEMBLY
Sacramento City Councilman Eric Guerra announced Tuesday that he is running for Assembly District 10. Guerra had been running in Senate District 6, prior to redistricting. The SD 6 race was a crowded one, with Sacramento City Councilwoman Angelique Ashby and former Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones and other candidates in the mix.
“With newly redistricted lines come new opportunities,” Guerra said in a statement. “I am excited to run in a district whose constituents so perfectly mirror my own personal story. I grew up as a first-generation immigrant working in the fields from the age of 5. This district is filled with people with diverse backgrounds and cultures who are looking for a voice to represent them in the Capitol. I am ready to be their voice in the Assembly.”
Guerra has a number of endorsements going for him, including from Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg and fellow city council member Mai Vang.
“Eric Guerra would make a great member of the Assembly,” Steinberg said in a statement. “He is smart, hard-working with the right values and experience to represent the 10th Assembly District. He has my full support in this race.”
“Councilmember Eric Guerra has the experience, knowledge, and passion to effectively serve and deliver for our community,” Vang said in a statement. “We need a champion for working families who can hit the ground running for South Sacramento. As a daughter of Hmong refugees and someone who has worked closely with Eric on the City Council, I know he possesses the skills, determination, and grit to fight for communities often left behind. Eric will build bridges and lead progressive change we need in the Assembly.”
Guerra has $325,000 in cash on hand and is the first candidate to announce for the district, according to his campaign.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“Tragically Kelly Ernby died of #COVID19 because she was unvaccinated, but sadly she infected others with #coronavirus or vaccine disinformation before she died that will led to death or disability for others in her community. #RIP #800kDeadAmericans”
- Sen. Richard Pan, D-Sacramento, via Twitter.
Best of the Bee:
Taking cues from Gov. Gavin Newsom, Democratic lawmakers on Tuesday announced they would introduce legislation allowing private citizens, local governments and the state to sue reckless gun manufacturers, via Lara Korte.
When Californians go to the polls this year, they will confront contentious health care choices, via Samantha Young, Kaiser Health News.
Could you be eligible for a federal economic stimulus payment of as much as $1,400 per person in the next few months? Via David Lightman.