Hollister - The race for the 28th Assembly District seat lost a runner this week when republican Bob Perkins announced that he is dropping out of the contest, leaving local businessman Ignacio Velazquez as the sole GOP candidate pursuing the position.
Perkins, executive director of the Monterey County Farm Bureau, said Thursday that his efforts would be better spent in Monterey trying to defeat a slow-growth initiative expected to be on the ballot this summer, rather than campaigning for the June 6 primary election.
"The message I got from everybody was: If this initiative passes, whatever happens in Sacramento is irrelevant," he said. "People made it clear that I needed to stay home and see that this initiative gets defeated."
Velazquez, still up against democratic candidates Salinas Mayor Anna Caballero and Watsonville Councilwoman Ana Ventura Phares, commended Perkins for deciding to tend to issues in Monterey and said that Perkins' departure won't affect how he campaigns.
"Bob knows that his expertise and guidance are needed by the agricultural industry in Monterey County," Velazquez said in a written statement. "Bob is very dedicated to the preservation and success of that industry and it makes sense that he wants to continue his important work with the farm bureau."
With Perkins out of the race, Velazquez said he will continue to campaign on the same issues, such as bringing more tax dollars back to the community.
"(Perkins' withdrawal) doesn't affect it," Velazquez said. "I'm still going to do the same thing - getting to the people and making them realize that there are better choices."
Velazquez has garnered an array of endorsements, including San Benito County Supervisor Jaime De La Cruz, former Hollister Mayor Tony Bruscia and King City Councilman John Myers.
De La Cruz believes Velazquez's business experience and platform aimed at recovering tax dollars and local control will be attractive to voters.
The 28th District includes potions of four counties - 17 percent of voters in the district are in San Benito, 45 percent are in Monterey County, 24 percent are in Santa Clara County and 14 percent reside in Santa Cruz.
Neither Perkins nor Velazquez anticipate another republican joining the race for the 28th District seat, which is currently held by Simon Salinas, D-Salinas. Though Salinas was considering taking a run for state senate, where he would face incumbent Jeff Denham, he recently announced that he will instead seek a seat on the Monterey County Board of Supervisors.
"What is happening now is republicans are starting to work together," Velazquez said.
Rick Rivas, Caballero's campaign manager, said Perkins' decision to pull out of the race will only benefit his candidate because those concerned with agricultural issues will now support Caballero.
"I think agriculture is squarely in our corner," he said.
Perkins said he looks forward to sitting down with Velazquez, talking over the issues and possibly throwing his support behind the Hollister businessman.
"I want to get to know his political philosophy as soon as possible," Perkins said.
On the same day that Perkins announced his withdrawal, Caballero's campaign released recent poll numbers showing she has a 25-point lead over Phares.
A poll conducted early this month by Sacramento-based pollster Jim Moore found that 40 percent of likely democratic primary voters cast their ballot for Caballero, according to a written statement issued by the Caballero campaign. Phares will pick up 15 percent of those votes, according to the poll.
"In a race like this, a 15-point lead is news," Moore said in a written statement. "But a 25-point lead is a tremendous advantage."
Although she did not return phone calls Friday, when Phares announced her candidacy in December she said she would focus her campaign on affordable housing, protecting agriculture land and education.
And while all candidates believe they're the right person for the job, Rivas said the poll numbers were a prediction that Caballero would take the election.
"It means we're way ahead," he said. "It means we have a great candidate who will win in June and November."
Luke Roney covers local government and the environment for the Free Lance. Reach him at 831-637-5566 ext. 335 or at lroney@freelancenews.com
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