With the November general election fast approaching, the two
candidates for the District 28 assembly seat are gearing into
campaign mode, hoping to win over residents with innovative ideas
and promises of change.
With the November general election fast approaching, the two candidates for the District 28 assembly seat are gearing into campaign mode, hoping to win over residents with innovative ideas and promises of change.
On the ballot will be incumbent Simon Salinas, D-Salinas, and political rookie Bob Perkins, a Republican out of Salinas.
Salinas is wrapped up in budget talks in Sacramento, but soon will be hitting the campaign trail in San Benito County and surrounding areas to champion his cause, he said.
His focus will be on issues such as affordable housing, education and the rights of local governments, he said.
“It’s very important to protect local funding,” he said. “I understand the arguments local governments are putting forth and I’m very supportive of them.”
Perkins, executive director of the Monterey County Farm Bureau, decided to run last November after the governor was recalled because he believed people were ready for change, he said.
“We’ve really been beating the bushes to meet people to find out what’s on their minds,” Perkins said. “I’ve also had the opportunity to stir up people’s interest on the election.”
Perkins’ number one focus is bringing businesses and jobs back to California, and rolling back taxes, fees and regulations that are driving businesses out of the state, he said.
“And I want to be an effective voice for the 28th district,” Perkins said. “I’ve talked to people in Hollister and San Benito County and they felt like, as a rural community, they weren’t being heard in Sacramento. It is my intention to go to Sacramento and have a voice that really resonates.”
Both Salinas and Perkins stressed they want to run campaigns that focus on the issues and not on degrading the other person as a route to victory.
“I never underestimate a competitor,” Salinas said. “I plan to take my message to the people because ultimately it’s their say so.”
Perkins conceded he is a neophyte to the political game, but said he has considerable experience in local and state affairs.
“I’m inexperienced in being a candidate, but I’m not inexperienced on the issues of politics,” he said. “And I’m a little bit surprised to find out how much fun this is… it has broadened my perspective in so many ways.”
