Accusations crop up in California Senate, ­Assembly races

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA (Oct. 18, 2024) — The local legislative races seemed like they would be smooth going with Assemblyman Tim Grayson facing an easy leap to state senator for District 9. And Anamarie Avila Farias, a former member of the Martinez City Council, was the leading Democrat in a highly Democratic district to replace Grayson.

Elections, however, have a mind of their own.

Grayson is facing San Ramon City Council Councilmember Marisol Rubio, while Farias is squaring off against Republican Sonia Ledo, a Realtor and judicial aide, in Assembly District 15.

Grayson looking for momentum

Grayson, a Democrat and former Concord mayor, jumped to the state Assembly in 2016.

Grayson says that he is involved in many activities and bills at the state level and wants to “finish what he started.”

Many of those bills involve housing. “I traveled from Chico to towns all the way down the street in a 23-day tour,” he says. “All I heard about was the high cost of housing. … I want my own children to be able to buy a house in California.”

He has also been focusing on mental health support, authoring or co-authoring more than 60 bills on that subject, including AB1116 and AB 1117 that would provide extra mental health assistance to police and firefighters – a natural area of concern for the Concord police chaplain.

He has also made a stand with AB39 against crypto currency scams and fraud.

As a state senator, he says he would further the work he started on AB52, issuing a manufacturing sales tax, and “continue to work to bring resources to our district for such things as important infrastructure, like the Highway 680-Highway 4 interchange,” which he says he helped deliver.

“And I will continue to focus on home affordability and public safety,” Grayson says. “So, let’s get to work.”

Rubio questions voting record

But first he must show up for votes, according to Rubio.

“Assemblyman Grayson has avoided voting on bills on women’s health and reproductive freedom, as well as important climate change bills,” says the fellow Democrat.

“He’s received a grade of ‘D’ from groups like the Sierra Club on environmental issues. He has skipped 183 votes,” says Rubio, who acknowledges Grayson has gotten better in recent years.

Grayson counters that Planned Parenthood endorsed him over Rubio for this election. And on the climate front, he was named a Governmental Leader by the Bay Area Air Quality Management Board for his time in the Legislature, chiefly for his work against the local refineries emitting toxic substances into the air.

As for his attendance, Grayson says he has never missed a day without prior approval – with the exception of the end of last year’s session, when there was a flurry of votes. Grayson and his family were recovering from MRSA, a very contagious staph infection, and he was out for two weeks.

Speaking of healthcare, Rubio is a a home care provider with a degree in neurobiology. Rubio says there is a “broken system” in healthcare. “What does that say about the values of our politicians?”

Like Grayson, Rubio is concerned about affordability in the state. “The gap in the cost of living is widening, but wages are remaining stagnant. It hurts the community, it hurts government, and it hurts people.”

Rubio is set on rebuilding the middle class, lowering healthcare costs and preparing for the “silver wave” of Baby Boomers, who she says should age with dignity. She also wants to help small businesses survive.

On the climate, she claims Grayson has sided with oil companies. “I don’t take any money from oil or from PG&E,” says Rubio, who is also a former Alameda County Water District president. “Climate change is real – it’s scientifically proven. I can’t believe there are Republicans and even some independents and Democrats don’t believe that.”

She also supports free college educations at public universities and cutting crime.

Ledo on the attack

Meanwhile, in the Assembly race, Ledo seemed to surprise many Democrats when she edged out Farias for top spot in the March primary.

On the judicial side, the real estate agent switched hats and worked on special projects for Napa County’s Health and Human Services Alcohol & Drug Services, including implementing a tracking tool for the Drug Court Treatment Program. Endorsed by the late Chris Carlson, former Supervising Deputy District Attorney of Sacramento, she was also given the nod by many law enforcement agencies in the Bay Area.

Ledo has spent much of her campaign criticizing Farias for issues Farias has had with the Fair Political Practices Commission. One case has been dismissed and another filed August 1 of this year (FPPC.ca.gov, Case 2024-0060) is currently under investigation.

Farias says Ledo’s claims are “half-truths that go beyond legitimate campaigning.”

While Ledo may have no political experience, she says the greatest threat facing the county is the high cost of living that is driving away businesses and residents, and which continues to fuel the homelessness crisis. It ties in with a safety issue. “Families no longer feel safe in their communities.”

Ledo says she will oppose initiatives that increase the gas tax. “I am invested in supporting small businesses and cutting regulations that stifle growth and hold back innovation and entrepreneurship.”

She also says that if elected, she will do what she can to help communities build more housing.

Ledo will also champion better funding and quality services for those with Intellectual and Development Disabilities (I/DD). “I will advocate for better wages for the I/DD workforce. Additionally, I will work to make childcare affordable and ensure livable wages for childcare workers who dedicate hours every day to caring for children while their families work.”

She acknowledges that this is not an easy task but is “committed to listening to all perspectives and collaborating to find practical solutions.”

“You deserve leaders who are dedicated to listening and learning from both experts and community members experiencing these issues firsthand,” Ledo says, adding: “Lastly, I will support programs that make our communities safer by reducing low-level crime through mandated prosecution, sentencing and rehabilitation.”

Farias focused on housing

Housing is at the top of Farias’ resume and agenda as well. She served in local government housing agencies, where she administered a balanced approach to affordable housing and community development programs.

“I have worked in culturally diverse communities throughout the Bay Area, providing housing and community development opportunities to thousands of Bay Area residents,” Farias says. “My experience is not limited to housing but extends to various aspects of community development. One of my core values is celebrating the diverse community I live in and believe that through our diversity we can develop policies that work for all of Assembly District 15.”

Like the other three candidates, Farias says affordable housing is the top issue facing her district, followed by education and support for working families – not too different from Ledo’s concerns.

She plans to tackle them by developing a comprehensive strategy that includes expanding rental assistance, increasing permanent housing for those experiencing homelessness, developing new units for low- and moderate-income households, and creating home ownership programs for families who need down payment assistance.

She says she will also invest in education to recruit, prepare and retain a diverse and well-supported teaching force in all school districts and will provide the strong leadership needed to relieve the pressure on working families.

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