ADVOCATING FOR THE INDUSTRY


Some recent California Assemblymember resignations have resulted in quick-paced special elections, while a few vacancies remain to be determined by runoff election.


The Special Election Results Are (Almost!) In


BY FELIPE FUENTES


With more than a couple dozen resignations and announced retirements over the past several months, the 2022 election cycle has shaped up to be a far more political year than expected.


A


s we reported last issue, the California State Legislature has not been immune from the pan-


demic employment phenomena known as “the great resignation.” With more than a couple dozen resignations and announced retirements over the past several months, the 2022 election cycle has shaped up to be a far more political year than expected. Te resignations of California State Assembly members Shirley Weber, Syd- ney Kamlager, Rob Bonta, Ed Chau, and Jim Frazier have resulted in quick-paced special elections. A few of these have already resulted in the election of new members of the Assembly, while a few vacancies remain to be determined by runoff election. And of course, the regular- ly scheduled June primary and November general election await. Below is the status of those elections


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CALIFORNIA CONSTRUCTOR MAY-JUNE 2022


and an introduction to some of Califor- nia’s newest legislators. The 79th Assembly District was


vacated by Shirley Weber, Ph.D., after she was selected by Gov. Newsom to serve as Secretary of State. California’s former Secretary of State, Alex Padilla, was selected by Newsom to serve as the state’s U.S. Senator. As such, a special election was held in which Akilah Weber, MD, handily beat four other opponents with a majority of votes to avoid a runoff election. A board-certified obstetrician/ gynecologist, Weber has also served on the La Mesa City Council. Weber, daughter of the Secretary of State, is a graduate of Xavier University of Louisiana and completed her medical degree from the University of Rochester Medical School. Te 54th Assembly District, repre- senting the west side of Los Angeles,


was left vacant after Sydney Kamlager successfully ran for the state Senate. Its replacement, Assemblymember Isaac Bryan, brings a unique perspective and focus on justice reform. One of nine ad- opted children in a family of 15, Bryan has worked professionally in academia and public policy. As a founder of the UCLA Black Policy Project, and former Director of Public Policy for UCLA’s Ralph Bunche Center for African American Studies, Assemblyman Bryan chairs the Assembly Committee on Elections. In addition to his graduate career at UCLA, Bryan attended the University of Arizona. California’s 18th Assembly District


will continue to be represented by an Assemblymember named Bonta. Mia Bonta (D), wife to recently selected At- torney General Rob Bonta, was elected to represent the East Bay. Prior to her


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