Monterey County Supervisor Simon Salinas is the only candidate
running against state Sen. Jeff Denham in the recall election on
June 3, and he told the Free Lance in a recent interview he’s
focusing on education and public safety.
Monterey County Supervisor Simon Salinas is the only candidate running against state Sen. Jeff Denham in the recall election on June 3, and he told the Free Lance in a recent interview he’s focusing on education and public safety.
Salinas was a member of the California State Assembly for District 28 from 2000 to 2006. Salinas has also served on the Salinas City Council starting in 1989 and Monterey County Board of Supervisors starting in 1993.
Salinas returned to the Monterey County Board of Supervisors in 2007 after his term limit expired in the Assembly. Salinas interviewed with the Free Lance on Friday to discuss the recall and his focus if he is elected by voters June 3. He is trying to take over Denham’s seat after 60,000 signed papers to send the question to the ballot.
Denham has called the campaign politically motivated due to his opposition last summer of the deficit-ridden state budget. His opponents have said he reneged on campaign promises to support education, while Denham has argued he voted against the budget because it was financially irresponsible.
Salinas said the opportunity for having someone new representing the 12th District prompted him to jump back into state politics.
“Let people have a choice,” Salinas said.
Salinas pointed out how voters used the recall process in 2003 to replace former Gov. Gray Davis. At that time, Republicans favored the process, he said.
“It is what it is,” he said.
Salinas said it’s up to voters to decide if Denham deserves to be recalled.
“Look at (Denham’s) record,” Salinas said.
Sen. Don Perata, the Democratic Senate president from Oakland, helped launch the recall effort against Denham, but Salinas said the state leader has had no influence on the campaign or his decision to run.
Salinas said that he decided to run for the position on his own. No one wanted to put their name out there, he said, or put time into a campaign.
“It’s the democratic way,” he said. “I had local support.”
Salinas said the most important issues would be to balance the budget without sacrificing education and public safety too much. He also said the economy and education are key issues for him.
Salinas noted other problems specific to San Benito County, such as methamphetamine labs and gang violence.
