Here’s The Bee’s endorsement in one of California’s most-watched legislative elections | Opinion

Two years ago, our board endorsed Republican Josh Hoover over incumbent Democrat Ken Cooley in a race for the 7th Assembly District. Hoover was narrowly elected in the Sacramento County district north of the city limits, in part, because Cooley proved not to be a strong candidate.

Hoover has shown his potential by advancing common sense ideas about bringing more transparency and responsiveness to the government. Last year, Assembly Bill 95 was one of a handful of Hoover bills signed by Gov. Newsom. It authorized schools to sell a second entree to students at breakfast or lunch if they desired one.

More recently, Newsom signed a Hoover bill into law that makes it mandatory to limit the cell phone use of public school students during school hours. This law will go into effect in 2026.

Hoover continues to be both an accessible and serious legislator. But in this election, instead of running against one of the weakest Democrat candidates in the state, he faces a potential rising star in Sacramento-area politics.

Porsche Middleton, a Democrat from the Citrus Heights City Council, is running for the Assembly for the first time and she has our endorsement.

Middleton does not act or sound like a rookie aspirant. Now 40, Middleton was the first Black woman elected mayor of her city. Before that, she was a planning commissioner.

“Once I began digging deeper into local government I realized that a lot of the things that we are dealing with are issues that can only be solved at the state level,” Middleton said,

From her city council experience, Middleton is ready to advance an agenda to accelerate urban revitalization and the building of more affordable housing. That takes money. She is intimately familiar with the need to find some new financial mechanism to create a funding source for cities to advance the rebuilding of our urban cores and aging suburban areas.

It is refreshing to listen to a Democrat who isn’t afraid of a third rail inside the Legislature —California’s rampant retail theft.

Middleton is also not afraid of reforms that would ensure bias-free policing tactics and sanctions when appropriate for misconduct. Bills to ensure police accountability in ways that are fair to the officers and transparent to the public are among the toughest pieces of legislation to craft and advance. She has the mind to do it.

As for California’s worsening budget crisis, Middleton wants to protect social service programs as much as possible in the state’s worsening budget problem. That makes sense. But to do it, Middleton would have to serve on key budget committees and push the legislative and executive branches to get far more serious about finding ways to do more with less.

Middleton’s overall approach to governing fits a district where partisan issues are not a top concern. She describes her approach to governing as a bridge builder and problem solver.

These are qualities desperately needed inside a legislative Democratic caucus that too often promotes extremism rather than solutions that reflect everyday Californians. There is also the Legislature’s Problem Solvers Caucus that could use more members. This is a caucus of both Democrats and Republicans that is an earnest search for shared solutions on tough policy topics.

Hoover has had a solid first term. He just happens to be up against a remarkable talent. Middleton also has the advantage of being a member of the party in power, something that gives her a greater chance of using her considerable skills to create real change. This is one of the most closely watched legislative races in California. In the March primary, Hoover won 52 % of the vote. Middleton won 29% of the vote with another Democrat siphoning away 17 %. Sacramento County and statewide Republicans have invested substantially in holding onto Hoover’s seat as have business groups.

It is unclear whether Middleton’s party will do enough to help her move from Citrus Heights to the Capitol in downtown Sacramento. She could use the help of every voter to get there.