Six Assembly Seats, One State Senate Race, Before San Diego County Voters
San Diego County's legislative races in Tuesday's election include Assemblymember Akilah Weber seeking to move to the state Senate and two same-party matchups for Assembly seats where no incumbents are running.
Weber, D-La Mesa, is facing Republican Bob Divine, a retired Navy commander, in the 39th Senate District race to replace Sen. Toni Atkins, D-San Diego, who is barred from running for reelection because of term limits.
Weber, an obstetrician/gynecologist with a specialty in adolescent care, has a campaign slogan of "Prescribing a healthier future," seeking equitable health outcomes, creating academic achievement, and improved environmental health.
Weber served on the La Mesa City Council from 2018-21 when she won a special election to succeed her mother, Shirley Weber, in representing the 79th Assembly District after the elder Weber was appointed secretary of state by Gov. Gavin Newsom, succeeding Alex Padilla, who Newsom had appointed to the U.S. Senate to succeed Kamala Harris, who had been elected vice president.
Divine bills himself as a "father, teacher, coach, citizen soldier, statesman, preacher & entrepreneur."
A Republican has not held the seat since 1989 when Larry Sterling resigned after being appointed as a municipal court judge and succeeded by Democrat Lucy Killea.
La Mesa City Councilmember Colin Parent is facing LaShae Sharp- Collins, a community engagement specialist with the county Office of Education, a fellow Democrat, to succeed Weber in representing the 79th Assembly District, which stretches from City Heights into East County.
Sharp-Collins has been endorsed by the California Democratic Party.
Former San Diego City Councilman Carl DeMaio is facing Andrew Hayes, a fellow Republican and president of the Lakeside Union School District Board of Trustees, in the 75th Assembly District, seeking to succeed Assemblywoman Marie Waldron, R-Valley Center, who is barred from running for reelection because of term limits.
DeMaio heads the conservative political action committee Reform California.
Hayes was endorsed by the California Republican Party.
The district consists of Poway and a large portion of East and inland North County.
In another seat with no incumbent running, Republican businesswoman Kristie Bruce-Lane is facing Democrat Darshana Patel, a member of the Poway Unified School District Board Of Education, to represent the 76th Assembly District.
Assemblymember Brian Maienschein, D-San Diego, is barred from running for reelection because of term limits and running for San Diego City Attorney.
The district stretches from Carmel Mountain Ranch into San Marcos and Escondido.
Assemblywoman Laurie Davies, R-Laguna Niguel, is facing a rematch with San Clemente City Councilman Chris Duncan, a Democrat, in the 74th Assembly District, which spans North County into southern Orange County. Davies won, 52.6%-47.4% in 2022.
Duncan was assistant chief counsel with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security from 2003-19.
Assemblywoman Tasha Boerner, D-Encinitas, is being challenged by Republican James Browne, an entrepreneur and financial adviser, in the 77th Assembly District, which covers the coastal areas stretching from the border through Carlsbad.
Assemblyman David Alvarez, D-San Diego, is facing Republican Michael W. Williams, a retired naval officer, in the 80th Assembly District, which covers southern San Diego County.
Assemblymember Chris Ward, D-San Diego, is running unopposed in the 78th Assembly District.
–City News Service
