State Rep. Tom Daly has decided not to run for re-election. Santa Ana Republican and OC GOP Central Committee member Mike Tardif is running. Who will replace Daly from the Democratic Party? Word is Anaheim Council member Avelino Valencia will pull papers for Assembly and its entirely possible termed out Anaheim Council member Dr. Jose Moreno will as well.
Here’s the press release from the Daly camp:
Assemblymember Tom Daly Decides Not To Run For Another Term In State Assembly
Anaheim, CA – Tom Daly announced today that he will not seek a 6th term in the California State Assembly. Daly, who was elected in 2012 and subsequently re-elected four times, represents a district that includes Santa Ana and portions of Anaheim, Orange, and Garden Grove.
In announcing his decision, Daly released the following statement: “After much consideration, I’ve decided not to seek a sixth term in the State Assembly. It’s been a deep honor serving the residents and businesses of Anaheim, Orange, Santa Ana and Garden Grove. This is my tenth year.Previously, I was elected as a School Board member, City Council member, Mayor and County Clerk-Recorder. I’ve been an elected official continuously since 1986, in four separate levels of government.For the residents and businesses of the Assembly district, I’ve done my best to solve problems and deliver results. This includes leading efforts to make State government more accountable to the people; obtaining funding for local parks projects; and sponsoring new laws which expedite the delivery of transportation projects. I’m particularly proud of my early involvement in the successful endeavor to create a “Rainy Day Fund” in California’s annual budget.As an Assemblymember, I’ve had the privilege of working with two Governors – Jerry Brown and Gavin Newsom – and three Speakers of the Assembly. In my personal experience, all have been extraordinarily hard-working and idealistic, as well as genuine patriots of the Golden State.
I’ll continue pushing for practical results for my constituents through the end of my current term, which ends in November.
I’m enormously grateful to my staff, in both Orange County and the Capitol, who’ve worked tirelessly helping our district’s residents and businesses navigate State government.
And I’m grateful to my wife, Debbie, and our children, for their constant support and encouragement.”
About Tom Daly
Tom Daly has served Orange County in elected office for 36 years. He was as a member of the Anaheim Union High School District Board of Trustees from 1986 to 1988, and he served on the Anaheim City Council from 1988 until 1992. As the Mayor of Anaheim from 1992 until 2002, Tom oversaw major public and private investments in the city, including the expansion of the Resort Area, which led to the creation of thousands of new jobs. He later served countywide as Clerk-Recorder from 2002 until his election to the State Assembly in 2012.Tom is the last Democrat to have served as Anaheim’s Mayor and the last Democrat to have won a countywide election in Orange County. The Angels won their only World Series Championship during his final year as Anaheim’s Mayor.Tom was born and raised in Anaheim, and attended local schools, including Lincoln Elementary, St. Anthony’s, Sycamore Junior High, and Anaheim High. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Harvard College in 1976.Tom and his wife, Debbie, are the parents of three children.
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Paid for by Daly for Assembly 2022
Tardif has already received the California GOP endorsement for this race. And while the district is overwhelmingly Democratic and Latino, it would be a mistake to overlook Tardif. He’s a principled conservative who is well connected. Tardif and his wife Mercy have lived in Santa Ana for decades and have a close knit family. He’s a small business owner who has created jobs. The downside of Tardif is that he’s a very pro-Trump Republican running for office where Trump did poorly. I’ll be interested to see how Tardif’s coffers fill now that Daly is out.
That leaves Valencia has a moderate Latino Democrat who most closely mirrors Daly. Moreno sees himself as the AOC of OC and his way to the left positions might just be too lefty for AD68. It’s entirely possible that two Democrats could finish in the top two. It wouldn’t surprise me if Jose Solorio jumps in this race or if Miguel Pulido might come out of retirement to run.
Expect lots of movement here in the next 72 hours. (and sorry for the typos; was trying to get this posted quickly)
“The downside of Tardif is that he’s a very pro-Trump Republican ..” – not quite accurate Dan. At this stage of the game, I would describe myself as “pro vigorous Republican Presidential primary.” Let the Republican who can best make his or her case to the American people be successful.
Well, the problem is republicans in OC still do better with Asians like the Vietnaemse or whites. In fact Trump won Westminster and Newport Beach but still lose Santa Ana. yet, National Review prints a poll that republicans would win 50 percent of the Hispanic vote. Ca hispanics are still different from Florida or Texas hispanics. Its true the Dems will win this one but the republicans are anti-upper middle class these days and don’t want to go after voes in Neport Beach or Mission Viejo since they are not working class enough.
“The downside of Tardif is that he’s a very pro-Trump Republican ..” – not quite accurate Dan. At this stage of the game, I would describe myself as “pro vigorous Republican Presidential primary.” Let the Republican who can best make his or her case to the American people be successful.
Well, the problem is republicans in OC still do better with Asians like the Vietnaemse or whites. In fact Trump won Westminster and Newport Beach but still lose Santa Ana. yet, National Review prints a poll that republicans would win 50 percent of the Hispanic vote. Ca hispanics are still different from Florida or Texas hispanics. Its true the Dems will win this one but the republicans are anti-upper middle class these days and don’t want to go after voes in Neport Beach or Mission Viejo since they are not working class enough.