Salinas Mayor Anna Caballero formally announced her plans to run
for the 28th District Assembly seat Monday, heating up what is now
a four-way race for the position.
Hollister – Salinas Mayor Anna Caballero formally announced her plans to run for the 28th District Assembly seat Monday, heating up what is now a four-way race for the position.
Local Assemblyman Simon Salinas, D-Salinas, is vacating the seat this year and plans to run against incumbent Senator Jeff Denham for the 12th District Senate seat. Caballero will be competing against Watsonville City Councilwoman Ana Ventura Phares in the democratic primary in June. Caballero and Phares will be opposed by two republican candidates, Bob Perkins, executive director of the Monterey County Farm Bureau and Hollister business owner Ignacio Velazquez.
Caballero had been contemplating a run for the seat for several months, but postponed making a decision until she was able to determine, by talking with other members of the state Assembly, that she would be able to make a difference at the state level.
“I’m involved with local politics because I feel I can make a difference,” she said Monday. “And now I’ve found out that I can make a difference in Sacramento.”
Based on her own polling numbers, which her campaign manger declined to release, Caballero said she expects to emerge as the clear front-runner in the race despite the fact that Phares has had a three month head start on the campaign trail and had raised more than $50,000 in contributions.
“I think the practical experience I’ve had in government will set me apart,” Caballero said. “I’ve been a public servant for 25 years and I can hit the ground running. I know how things work in Sacramento.”
Although the 28th District is heavily democratic, Caballero said she would not take any votes for granted.
“I will run just as hard for the general (election) as I will for the primary,” she said.
Caballero will focus on restructuring the priorities of state funding and early-childhood education, which she sees as a tool to prevent violence and keep kids in school. Caballero plans to visit Hollister every other week to get to know voters and talk with prospective constituents.
Campaign manger Rick Rivas, a Hollister resident, believes in Caballero’s abilities to take over the job.
“She’s the right candidate to represent Hollister,” Rivas said. “She believes in San Benito County and wants (residents) to have a voice in Sacramento.”
Phares was not surprised by Caballero’s announcement on Monday and welcomed her to the race.
“Whenever there is competition, more people will pay attention,” Phares said. “I think this is a great opportunity for people to get involved and know that their vote can help shape the 28th District.”
Phares said that she will make sure voters understand the difference between herself and Caballero on the campaign trail.
“Once people get to know me they will understand the distinction between me and my opponent,” Phares said. “I’m here to bring people together who might not get along and find solutions – I’ve always tried to bring people in and get them involved.”
Salinas said he will wait until after the primary to endorse a candidate, however, he said making a decision between Phares and Caballero would be “tough.”
While Perkins was unavailable for comment, he’s said in the past that Caballero would be a “formidable” opponent. Perkins also told the Free Lance he thought having two democrats duking it out on the campaign trial would benefit the republicans.
Velazquez said Caballero’s entrance in the race would not impact his campaign for the republican nomination.
“I need to focus on the republican ticket,” he said. “After the primary, I’ll worry about the democrats.”
