For almost eight years, California State Senator Cathleen Galgiani has represented a sprawling district that encompasses San Joaquin as well as parts of Stanislaus and Sacramento counties – balancing the urban and agricultural needs of the unique district.
And now that she has termed out, there are no shortage of people that are lining up to take her place.
According to the list of candidates that will appear on the ballot Tuesday to see who will advance to the November election, five people are vying for Galgiani’s soon-to-be former seat representing the Fifth Senate District – a diverse group that includes Democrats, Republicans, and political newcomers.
While Galgiani has endorsed Democratic moderate and Modesto City Councilman Mani Grewal to succeed her, current California State Assemblywoman for the 13th district – and fellow member of the California legislature’s LGBT caucus Susan Talamantes Eggman has secured the endorsement of California Governor Gavin Newsom in her bid for the seat.
On the Republican side, current Stockton Unified School District Trustee Kathleen Garcia is vying for the position, as is Stockton City Councilman Jesus Andrade, whose area includes South Stockton and Weston Ranch. Former Modesto Mayor and law enforcement consultant Jim Ridenour – whose brother Doug is currently on the Modesto City Council – rounds out the field of Republicans looking to reclaim the seat.
A sixth person listed on the candidate of rosters, Jacob Montgomery Tyler, has not yet paid the filing fee and said that he is not running for the seat.
During her tenure in the California legislature, Galgiani was a champion for water for the Northern San Joaquin Valley, and helped enact Proposition 1 – the state’s 2014 ballot measure that set aside more than $7.5 billion in bond funding for watershed protection and restoration, water supply infrastructure projects including surface and groundwater storage, and drinking water protection. Galgiani also had a piece of legislation, SB1140, signed into law to establish a statewide inventory of local and regional water supply projects “in need of funding in order to fast-track the building of local and regional water projects.”
Galgiani also played a critical role in helping to secure the funding to construct the 10th University of California campus in Merced, and worked to persuade officials at the UC to create a “School of Medicine” at the campus to help bring medical students and qualified doctors to underserved areas in the San Joaquin Valley.
To contact reporter Jason Campbell email jcampbell@mantecabulletin.com or call 209.249.3544.
