Limon to run for Senate; Dominguez for Assembly
A political shuffle could be in store for Santa Barbara County as a pair of local heavyweights have announced that they will be running for new offices in 2020.
Assemblywoman Monique Limon, D-Santa Barbara, has officially entered the race for the 19th state Senate race, looking to replace Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson, D-Santa Barbara, who has termed out after eight years in the upper house.
In addition, current Santa Barbara City Council member Jason Dominguez announced that he will run for Ms. Limon’s seat in the 37th Assembly District. While not official, Mr. Dominguez will likely be challenged by Santa Barbara Mayor Cathy Murillo, who will be making an official announcement in the coming days, she told the News-Press.
Ms. Limon’s announcement had been rumored to be imminent for weeks.
“What is most important – and the main reason why I have made this decision – is that I believe I can be most effective and put my experience to use in the State Senate, representing more of the coast, from the Santa Maria River in the north down to Point Mugu in the south,” Ms. Limon said in a press release. “Our Ventura and Santa Barbara coastlines are a treasure, and I look forward to continuing the fight to protect them. My experience in the State Assembly over the past years positions me to advance that work in the State Senate unlike any other candidate from our region.”
Ms. Limon indicated that she had been on the fence about whether to run for the Assembly seat again, but ultimately felt like she could potentially make a bigger impact replacing Ms. Jackson.
“I have been thinking about this for a long time, and there are reasons to run again for the Assembly, and so many important reasons to run for the Senate,” Ms. Limon said. “From my perspective, I will be able to serve my constituents most effectively if I am elected to the Senate, where I will do everything I can to build the same type of strong relationships and understanding about the needs of the Central Coast – with an amazing group of leaders – relationships and regional understanding from which our district has benefited during my time in the Assembly.”
Meanwhile, Mr. Dominguez’s candidacy comes as a surprise, as he is already in the throes of seeking re-election to the City Council, which he intends to continue to pursue.
Mr. Dominguez pointed to his background as a teacher and nonprofit activist that put him in a unique position to run for the Assembly seat.
“As a teacher, non-profit leader, and City Councilmember, I see the challenges that working families face every day. My students are struggling under the burdens of increasing debt and skyrocketing rents. The non-profit clients I work with face a legal system that is indifferent to the suffering of low-income and immigrant families,” Mr. Dominguez said.
“My neighbors and constituents are frustrated with rising homelessness, a stagnant education system, and a political system that badly needs reform. I know that California is capable of great things — my family’s story is evidence of what is possible. I want to help tackle the problems we face, and I look forward to the challenges ahead.”
Ms. Murillo plans to run her campaign focused on a trio of topics.
“It would be an honor to serve in the State Assembly and I will be making a decision shortly,” Ms. Murillo told the News-Press. “My focus would be protecting the environment, improving public schools and creating economic opportunity for residents in the district and in our great state of California.”
