Matt Mendoza, who has campaigned previous for California State Assembly seats (the 78th in 2000 and the 77th in ‘02), has once again thrown his hat into the ring this years, seeking the Republican nomination for the newly-created 79th district on June 5.
Known as staunch, principled conservative, he was defeated in the GOP primaries by Shirley Horton and Jay LaSuer, respectively, both of whom went on to win the offices in the general election.
Matt Mendoza, who has campaigned previous for California State Assembly seats (the 78th in 2000 and the 77th in ‘02), has once again thrown his hat into the ring this years, seeking the Republican nomination for the newly-created 79th district on June 5.
Known as staunch, principled conservative, he was defeated in the GOP primaries by Shirley Horton and Jay LaSuer, respectively, both of whom went on to win the offices in the general election.
The 79th includes parts of Lemon Grove, La Mesa, Chula Vista, San Diego City and unincorporated areas of the county.
This year, he will face Republican Lemon Grove City Councilwoman Mary England, who is also a member of the La Mesa Chamber of Commerce and who has captured a bevy of local GOP endorsements from former La Mesa City Councilman Barry Jantz to San Diego City Council president pro tem to county supervisor Dianne Jacob.
Mendoza’s only major commitment was by the state Howard Jarvits Taxpayers Association.
“I’m not in the party’s inner circle, so I won’t get a lot of endorsements,” said Mendoza, an operations manager for the Boeing Corporation. “As someone on the outside, however, I am not beholden to anyone, just the voters.”
Backing from top county leaders aside, even if he does get by England in the June primary, Mendoza’s chances in the general are just as imposing. The Democrats have a 43 to 29 percent registration advantage. Still, these numbers do not seem dampen the optimistic candidate.
“Yes, there is a registration disadvantage for a Republican in this race,” he said, “but there are a large number of independents in this district and I believe that my promise to lower the tax rates on businesses and individuals is very attractive.
“I’m a conservative,” he added. “I have conservative principals and values. Whether I am elected to this office, I will still have those values.”
Democrats in the race include Patricia Washington, Rudy Rameriz and Shirley Weber.
