Candidates Line Up to Run for State Assembly, Senate Seats

Thursday was the last day for candidates to file nomination papers for state Senate and state Assembly.

Democrat Benita Berkson, a real estate broker from San Diego, and Libertarian George Hall of San Diego have filed to run against Assemblyman Larry Stirling in the predominantly Republican 39th Senate District. The district includes El Cajon, La Mesa, Santee, Ramona, Mission Gorge and parts of Mission Valley, Point Loma and Coronado.

Running against Sen. Marian Bergeson for the also predominantly Republican 37th Senate District are Democrat Pat McCabe, an accountant from Huntington Beach, and Libertarian J. Mark Sugars, a teaching assistant from Irvine. Part of the largely Orange County district lies in northeastern San Diego County.

Extension to Wednesday

Filing for the 77th Assembly District post has been extended until Wednesday because of incumbent Stirling’s decision to run for the Senate. San Diego Councilwoman Gloria McColl and Libertarian Reena Deutsch, a mathematician from San Diego, have both filed. Republicans Carol Bentley of El Cajon and Ralph Winkler, a retired Air Force major from Lakeside, also took out nomination papers but have not yet filed them. Also, Democrat John Reber of El Cajon has taken out papers but has not filed them. The district includes the San Diego communities of San Carlos, Tierrasanta and Del Cerro, plus the cities of El Cajon, La Mesa, Santee and Lakeside.

Filing for the 74th District are Libertarian John Flanagan, a businessman from Carlsbad; incumbent Robert Frazee, and Democrat James Melville, a teacher from San Clemente. The district includes part of southern Orange County, the cities of Carlsbad, Oceanside, Vista and San Marcos, and the communities of Valley Center and Fallbrook.

In the 75th District, incumbent Sunny Mojonnier will be opposed by Democrat Mary Christian-Heising, a businesswoman from San Diego; Democrat Jack Chilton, a retired engineer from Coronado; Libertarian John Murphy, a loan executive from San Diego, and La Jollan Arnie Schoenberg, a member of the Peace and Freedom Party. The district encompasses much of the county’s coastline and reaches inland from La Jolla to Rancho Bernardo.

3 Opponents for Bradley

In the 76th District, incumbent Bill Bradley will face Democrat Elsa Rivas of Palm Desert; Democrat Mike Harman, a businessman from Escondido, and Libertarian Bill Holmes, an engineer from Poway. The district includes much of rural East and North County, as well as Escondido, San Marcos and parts of Riverside County.

In the 78th District, incumbent Lucy Killea will be opposed by Libertarian Kurtis McMillen, a software consultant from San Diego, and Republican Byron Wear, a businessman from San Diego. The district includes the San Diego communities of Mission Hills, Normal Heights, Linda Vista, Old Town, Mission Beach and parts of Loma Portal, Ocean Beach and Pacific Beach.

In the 79th District, incumbent Pete Chacon will face Republican Gary Gahn and Libertarian Joe Shea, both of San Diego. The City of Lemon Grove, the communities of Encanto and Paradise Hills, and portions of Spring Valley, Bonita and downtown San Diego make up this district.

Running for the 80th District seat, incumbent Steve Peace will be opposed by Republican Steve Baldwin of Chula Vista and Libertarian Randy Myrseth of National City. The district includes the City of Chula Vista south to the international border and east to Imperial County.