Six Candidates Seek State Assembly Seat

Six candidates are running for the reconfigured state Assembly District 8 seat-- Ken Cooley, Barbara Ortega, , Phillip Tufi, Janice Marlae Bonser, and John Thomas Flynn.

The six are running in District 8, which covers eastern Sacramento County, including Carmichael, Rosemont, Citrus Heights, Rancho Cordova and Arden Arcade.

Cooley, a Democrat, is a Rancho Cordova city councilman.

"People feel like we're suffering from (political) gridlock," Cooley said at a . "Part of seeing economic success hinges on a legislature that works."

The Sacramento Bee endorsed Cooley, as did Alyson Huber (D-El Dorado Hills), the assemblymember who currently represents the area covered by the newly configured District 8.

"In Rancho Cordova, we dealt with the economy during the closure of Mather Air Force Base," he said. "My record is one of a collaborative approach to public service."

Ortega is a Republican small businesswoman.

"I'm running because I believe it's important to have someone who can win as a Republican in November," she said. "I want to focus on business economic development and job creation (and get away from) an overdependence on state government and construction jobs."

Tateishi, the Republican chief of staff to (R-Gold River), is a Carmichael native and alum.

"I'm a candidate who has bipartisan support," Tateishi said at the candidates fourm at Rio. "We have to make sure California is a viable state for children to grow up, find a job and raise their families."

The Bee also endorsed Tateishi.

"At the end of the day I feel I am the candidate who has worked for this district, I've worked with leaders in the community," he said. "I feel that gives me he knowledge to represent the people of this district at the State Capitol."