Sarmiento Backs Martinez for AD-69

Santa Ana Councilman Vince Sarmiento has endorsed Santa Ana council colleage Michelle Martinez in an email to his supporters today, leaving no doubt on where he stands in what’s believed to be a three candidate rance for the Assembly seat of termed out member Rep. Jose Solorio.

In an email, Sarmiento wrote: “I urge you to join me in supporting my colleague Councilwoman Michele Martinez, on September 22, 2011, for her Candidacy Announcement Kick-Off Fundraiser for the 69th Assembly District. The event will take place at Chapter One in Downtown Santa Ana from 5:30 P.M. to 7:30 P.M.  I have had the pleasure of serving with Michele on the City Council for the past five years.  I support Michele’s candidacy for the Assembly because Sacramento needs local leaders like her who have the experience to make difficult decisions. I am certain she will bring thoughtful and intelligent solutions and sound public policy regarding the many pressing issues facing Central Orange County.”

Sarmiento was considered to be a candidate for the seat himself, but never formally entered the race.

The councilman attached Martinez’s message to voters:

On Thursday, September 22, I will formally announce my candidacy for the 69th Assembly District in California. This position, representing Santa Ana, and parts of Anaheim, Garden Grove and Orange, will become available in 2012 when Assemblyman Jose Solorio completes his final term in that office.

Our state is facing unprecedented challenges, and I believe that now, more than ever, Sacramento needs local leaders who have experience making tough decisions in diverse communities to help solve our current issues. I am confident that my experience building collaborations to address complex issues will be an asset in our State Capitol as leaders work together to address California’s most important issues. I believe job creation, education, public safety and fiscal responsibility should be our top priorities.

I am proud that during my tenure as a City Councilwoman, Santa Ana has managed to make notable progress during these difficult times. We have seen a decrease in crime by 32%, created thousands of jobs through our enterprise and empowerment zones, invested $100 million in new street repairs and safety improvements, helped secure $320 million through Measure G bonds to modernize Santa Ana schools, and we made some strategic additions to our open-space and bikeway trails. These improvements have made our community a healthier, safer place for families and businesses to thrive.

Nonetheless, you and I both know that all local issues cannot be solved at City Hall. This is why I am running for State Assembly. While I have worked tirelessly to ensure that our city thrives while ‘living within our means,’ our city’s continued success depends heavily on the economic success and stability of our state government.

I believe my role in regional collaborations will make me an effective State Assemblymember. I have been fortunate to serve all Orange County residents as a board member on the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG), the nation’s largest metropolitan planning organization, which encompasses our six southern counties. As part of that, I work to represent the interests of Orange County Council of Governments (OCCOG) in the consideration of SCAG plans, policies and legislative platforms. On a statewide level, I also represent the City of Santa Ana on the State Workforce Investment Board (WIB). The WIB develops new workforce development policies that support economic development throughout California, in collaboration with county and city WIBs.

With your support, I plan to bring regional collaborations, innovative solutions, and a common sense approach to our State’s Capitol to provide a strong voice for central Orange County. It would be an honor if you would consider endorsing me and attend my Candidacy Announcement Kick-Off event on Thursday, September 22nd. Attached you will find invitation to my fundraiser and a remit form you can use to show your support.

 Martinez joined declared candidate Julio Perez in the race. OC Clerk Recorder and fomer Anaheim Mayor Tom Daly is expected to enter the race as well.

14 Comments

  1. Wow no council bashing this time? Though Martinez’s accomplishments are a joke. Hey Ken, thanks for stiffing me on the agreed upon meeting place. You were a no-show after confirming you’d be there. But I didn’t expect you to show because you are the biggest coward in Orange County. Kenny Rogers needs to rewrite that song for you

      • Ken —
        I’m deleting your comment because the reference to Claudio is outside the bounds of TOS.

        Matt posts here under his own name which is more than I can say for you.

        We missed you at DL last night. Then again, I would have bet money you wouldn’t show or reveal yourself because you’re nothing but a bully and a coward. Go back under your rock

  2. Edwin Marinez? Really, can’t you think of a more original pseudonym? Is that Chris Leo or Doug Vogel blogging again? At least this time it is not on a State computer on the taxpayers dime . . .

    • Dan,

      I didn’t know I was welcome nor invited. As I said before, the last time my wife and daughter went they said it was the most exclusive, rude crowd ever, and these are granola type personalities!

      I’ll meet anyone, why this whole coward thing came up I don’t know. last time I checked it wasn’t real smart to plaster your name all over message boards.

  3. Don’t believe him guys. I sent him email asking to meet and he agreed. I sat in a Starbucks for 90 minutes and he never stopped by or emailed. Ken lay is a complete liar and coward. He is afraid of being exposed for the fraud he is. Anyone who challenges him must be a LOC blogger or Matt Cunningham. He doesn’t understand that there are people who think his lies about Jose Solorio or Beth Krom are digusting. If you see his wife and daughters at DL ever again, please call them the putas that they are

  4. Why has Claudia Alvarez chosen to not support Michele Martinez?
    Will the support of Santa Ana Planning Commissioner Sean H Mill hurt Michele Martinez?
    And lastly, why did Michele Martinez leave the name Art Pedroza off of her endorsers list? Guess she doesn’t want to be associated with NAMBLA promoters.

  5. Michele Martinez needs to drop out of the race. With Tom Daly in the race, Martinez and Perez really need to understand that he can win since they will be splitting the latino vote. Martinez needs to drop out because she clearly does not have enough support in comparison to Perez. Look at her endorsement list. Not even her past employer and fellow city council member from Anaheim, Lori Galloway, are supporting her. Yes she has what appears to be a long list of supporters, but at closer glance she only has people from Santa Ana, in a district that has a large portion of Anaheim.

    Julio Perez, on the other hand, has extensive support from throughout the district and also has key endorsements from Santa Ana. It is frustrating to see candidates like Martinez that jump in the race when a qualified and more visionary candidate is already there.

    MARTINEZ, DROP OUT OF THE RACE!!!

  6. deeply concerned, do you believe in the “Voter’s right to choose”?

    There should be many candidates for each election, and like the 69th where there is not an incumbent involved, there should be 10 or more running.

    Your crap that a candidate or candidates should “drop out” for the good of some cause you prescribe to is anti-American.

Comments are closed.