Orinda Mayor Faces Concord Assemblywoman In East Bay's State Senate Special Election
CONCORD (KCBS)— The state Senate race between Orinda Mayor Steve Glazer and Concord Assemblywoman Susan Bonilla has led to $7 million in campaign spending.
The fate to decide who will succeed Mark DeSaulnier in Sacramento for the District 7 seat will be decided this week on Tuesday's special election. The election sparked a surge in negative campaign mailers with labor unions firmly behind Bonilla after Glazer had called for a ban on BART strikes.
Still, the race has both candidates on the defensive.
"I would say it's more of an insider versus outsider showdown," said Glazer. The Democrat who was appointed by Orinda City Council to be mayor said he wants to bring pragmatism to Sacramento.
"Enduring solutions come because Republicans and Democrats work together and they craft longer-term positive resolutions whether it's about our weather, our roads, our water," Glazer.
Bonilla, a Democrat who represents parts of Solano and Contra Costa Counties said her opponent is funded by interests outside the district.
"I have great trust in my voters. I think they're savvy," she said.
The assemblywoman wants schools to be a top focus. "The most critical thing that we must do is modernize our public education system. From early childhood education, K-12 through higher ed, we have to make sure that we have successful young people entering our workforce."