The Desert Sun
Tuesday, March 01, 2007
Institutional investor for bank plans bid for Assembly

PALM SPRINGS -- Institutional investor Rick Gonzales of El Centro has added his name to the list of those running for the 80th State Assembly District in 2008.

That seat is currently held by Republican Bonnie Garcia, who will term out in 2008.  Gonzales, a Democrat, is an institutional investor for Wells Fargo in San Diego, where he works on affordable housing investments and manages $1 billion a year.

Gonzalez, 39, was born and raised in Brawley and received degrees from San Diego State University and the University of Southern California. Gonzales spent 10 years working on Capitol Hill and in the White House, where he was a liaison for then Vice President Al Gore.

So far, Palm Springs Police Chief Gary Jeandron, a Republican, and Cathedral City Councilman Greg Pettis, a Democrat, have filed candidate intention statements in Sacramento.

Several others have expressed interest in the seat.

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