California Assembly District 9 race gives voters choice of 2 conservatives. How they differ

In November, California Assembly District 9 voters will have two choices: Conservative or even more conservative.

They will be asked to choose between the incumbent, Republican Assemblyman Heath Flora of Ripon, and the challenger, Tami Nobriga of Lodi, who belongs to the American Independent Party of California but who said she plans to re-register as a Republican on Nov. 6., the day after the election.

Nobriga faces a difficult, uphill battle to unseat the powerful incumbent, who serves in the Assembly as Republican Floor Leader; in the March primary, Nobriga got just 24% of the vote to Flora’s 73%.

Heath Flora

Flora’s campaign did not respond to multiple Bee requests for an interview.

His Assembly biography states that Flora is a farmer and businessman, and he has risen to prominence as one of the top Republicans in the Assembly GOP Caucus.

A volunteer firefighter, Flora championed a bill to create a statewide firefighter apprenticeship program; he also has been outspoken for public safety legislation and describes himself as a “voice at the table” for farmers.

Flora also has faced scandal while in office; in 2022, a lobbyist for the health care industry disclosed on Twitter that she and Flora had an affair. Flora has never publicly commented on that allegation. He sits on the Assembly Health Committee.

He also has been blasted by fellow Republicans, including Assemblyman Bill Essayli, R-Corona, and former Ambassador Ric Grenell, for working with Democrats on legislation.

Flora did not respond to multiple requests to fill out The Bee’s candidate questionnaire.

Tami Nobriga

Nobriga says her longshot campaign is all about saving children.

“I’ve been praying about what to do about all the children that are being trafficked for sex,” she said, adding that God spoke to her and told her to run for office.

Nobriga defines herself as a conservative Christian.

“That’s who I am, to my soul,” she said.

Besides child trafficking, Nobriga’s platform also calls for reallocating funds from the federal Internal Revenue Service to pay for a border wall. The California State Assembly has no authority over federal funds.

She also wants to see a return to paper ballots and voter ID laws, a strengthened concealed carry program in the state, more water for Central Valley farmers and protection for places of worship.

Nobriga called the homelessness problem in California “ridiculous,” and said she would work to address it if elected.

“I think people need to be held accountable. And there’s a whole lot of people getting a whole lot of money and they’re not being held accountable,” she said.

She acknowledges being an underdog in the race against Flora. But she said she’s in the race to win.

“I am a competitor, I was a competition gymnast when I was much younger,” Nobriga said.

Name: Tami Nobriga

Political Party: American Independent Party of California

Age: 65

Birthplace: Hayward

Current Town of Residence: Lodi

Current Occupation: Grandmother, retired business owner

Education: Chabot College (degree not disclosed)

Offices Held: None

Campaign Website Address: tami4assembly.com

What would your budget priorities be for the upcoming budget year?

Border and drug infiltration. Protecting children. Water and farming. Infrastructure.

What do you think the Legislature should do to address the state’s ongoing homelessness crisis?

Post “No Trespassing” signs, arrest and allocate the $3.3 billion yearly to hire qualified personnel for mental health and drug facilities that will actually allow and encourage people in need to achieve productive lives.

How should the Legislature respond to concerns about retail theft and fentanyl and drug overdoses?

No. 1: Close the border. No. 2: Pass a bill that will actually repeal Prop. 47. Back the blue so they can arrest and incarcerate and put drug traffickers in prison for 20 years minimum.