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Sunday, July 22, 2007

Shake up Coming in the 8th Assembly District Race?

In late January, West Sacramento Mayor Christopher Cabaldon announced his candidacy for the Democratic nomination for California's 8th Assembly District. By the end of February he was joined by Yolo County Supervisor Mariko Yamada. Since that point, Cabaldon has racked up huge amounts of endorsements and has raised over $400,000. You would think this would give him a largely insurmountable advantage.

However, the Vanguard has received word from reliable sources, that a shake up in this race may be on its way and from a most unusual source. In 2002, then Yolo County Supervisor Lois Wolk defeated Mayor Cabaldon for the Assembly Seat. Assemblywoman Wolk, herself a candidate for the Democratic nomination for the 5th Senate district, is now termed out barring changes in the term limits law in February's primary. While she has not officially endorsed Mayor Cabaldon, she has been seen escorting him around, introducing him to key officials and constituencies.

Now the Vanguard has received word that she may be involved in recruiting another candidate--former Davis School Board Member and UC Davis Law Professor Marty West. Professor West served on the Davis Joint Unified Board of Trustees from 1997 to 2005. Professor West is also a distinguished law professor at UC Davis whose work has focused on civil rights, in particular gender equity.

If Professor West enters the race, that would make three candidates from Yolo County and none from Solano County. That would seem to leave the possibility wide-open that someone from Solano County could swoop in and have an outstanding chance at picking up the nomination. Rumors are speculating currently that there is a movement underway to find just such a candidate in Solano County. If that happens, this really does become anyone's race to win.

---Doug Paul Davis reporting