Santa Ana Councilman Jose Solorio recently announced his intension to run for the 69th Assembly
District at the Laborers’ Union Hall. His campaign says they raised $50,000 that night. His council campaign was able to transfer another $50,000 into the Assembly account putting Solorio over the 100k make.
Solorio sent out a release today including the statement that "…the people will win and Schwarzenegger will lose!" in Tuesday’s election. If you hadn’t known or guessed, the 69th is a solidly Dem seat (for now) held by Tom Umberg.
Solorio, a well liked elected official, serves as his city’s representative on the Orange County Water District and works full-time for the Orange County Transportation Authority. Solorio’s Latino background is a plus in the district, but doesn’t guarantee anything (white-bread Umberg beat Claudia Alvarez a deputy DA on 2004).
Solorio’s campaign team includes: famed Sacramento consultant Richie Ross, Sandio Consulting helping with fund raising and James R. Santos as Treasurer.
Lots of other Dems are looking at this seat, George Urch, district director for Umberg is rumored for the 69th. He would also be considered a contender in the 34th Senate seat sought by his boss if Umberg’s infidelity, wife’s comments on his lies about his affair and his mis-leading the voters on his military service is seen as too much baggage. BIG STUMBLING BLOCK: the 34th is now a VERY LIKELY GOP pick-up seat in 2006 if the GOP can agree on a candidate.