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March 19, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – The majority of Congressional and state legislative seats in San Diego County have districts that include areas east of I-15. Here’s the rundown on who’s filed with the San Diego County Registrar to run for the top local spots, along with our thumbnail assessment of the hot races to watch. Look for interviews and profiles of contenders coming up in future issues.
CONGRESS
49th District: A CAKEWALK: Incumbent Congressman Darrell Issa has no opponent in the Republican primary and Democrats have not fielded a candidate.
50th District: DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY BATTLE: Two strong contenders, consumer attorney Tracy Emblem and Carlsbad School Board member Francine Busby, are battling it out in the Democratic June primary. The winner will face off against incumbent Republican Brian Bilbray in November.
51st District: 2 REPUBLICANS SEEK FILNER SEAT: Nick Popaditch, a retired Marine, and Bernie Portley, a retired scientist, are seeking the Republican nomination. Bob Filner faces a primary challenge from Harry Orgordon (no occupation listed).
52nd District: WATCHDOG NIPS AT HUNTER’S HEELS: Ray Lutz, an engineer and founder of the Citizens Oversight watchdog group, is running for the Democratic nomination, along with community volunteer Connie Frankowiak. Terri Linnell, a homemaker, is listed in the Republican primary along with Duncan D. Hunter, the incumbent Congressman. Hunter has the advantage of incumbency and funding, but watch for the watchdog to raise a ruckus.
53rd District: GOP MUDFEST: Democratic incumbent Susan Davis faces no primary challenger. But six Republicans are squaring off in the GOP primary, and the mud has already begun flying with a series of allegations hurled among top Republican contenders. GOP candidates are Michael Crimmins, teacher and military officer, Mari Hamlin Fink, community volunteer, Matt Friedman, a commerce and productivity consultant, Jeffrey Parks (no occupation listed), Mason Weaver, entrepreneur, and Robert Williams (no occupation listed).
STATE SENATE
36th District: HOT GOP PRIMARY: Senator Dennis Hollingsworth leaves office due to term limits in a district with a solid Republican advantage. At least eight candidates are vying for the seat. Since the district spans two counties, some are listed with the Riverside Registrar, who has not posted listings online. Paul Clay, a teacher, is running on the Democratic side. Among Rebublicans, leading contenders include Assemblyman Joel Anderson and Riverside Councilman Jeff Stone.
38th District: SHOE-IN: Senator Mark Wyland is running unopposed except for Libertarian Kristi Stone.
40th District: OPEN SEAT DRAWS TOP DEMS: Assemblywoman Mary Salas and attorney Juan Vargas, who previously ran for Congress, are vying to replace fellow Democat Denise Ducheny, who leaves office due to term limits. Brian Hendry, educator and independent businessman, is running on the Republican ticket.
ASSEMBLY SEATS
66th District: NO CONTEST: Republican incumbent Kevin Jeffries is running unopposed.
74th District: ONE TO WATCH: Del Mar Councilwoman Crystal Crawford is challenging incumbent Republican Martin Garrick in this district which extends into north inland areas from the coast.
75th District: SAY AH: Retired doctor Paul Garver is listed as the Democratic candidate running against Nathan Fletcher.
76th District: DEMS SEEK TO KEEP SEAT: Former San Diego City Councilwoman Toni Atkins is running to fill fellow Democrat Lori Saldaña’s seat, which is being vacated due to term limits. Four Republicans and one additional Democrat who doesn’t list an occupation are also in the race.
77th District: HOT RACE: There are several strong contenders seeking to fill the open seat vacated by incumbent Republican Joel Anderson, who is running for State Senate. Two Republicans who initially filed have dropped out, leaving three remaining in the GOP primary: El Cajon Councilman Bill Wells, Santee Vice Mayor Brian Jones, and professor/business owner Christine Rubin. Democrats are represented by Mark Hanson, a businessman , educator, and nonprofit leader who previously ran for State Senate.
78th District: CHIP OFF THE OLD BLOCK: Assemblyman Marty Block, Democrat, is running unopposed in the primary. But two Republicans hope to knock off Block in the general election: La Mesa Spring Valley school board member Emma Turner, retired U.S. Navy, and Rick Powell, businessman and retired military.
79th District: DEMS VIE FOR SALAS SEAT: Three Democrats hope to win the open seat vacated by Mary Salas, who is running for State Senate. They are: Ben Hueso, president of the San Diego City Council, Jack Doyle, retired Naval captain, and Pearl Quinones, trustee, Sweetwater Union High School District. Derrick Roach, a private investigator, is the Republican nominee.
View the full list of all candidates running here: http://www.sdcounty.ca.gov/voters/Eng/election/0610candlist.pdf.
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