Imperial Valley Press
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
Brawley native wants to be voice for Valley in Assembly

By JONATHAN ATHENS, Staff Writer
Former Clinton White House staffer and Brawley native Rick Gonzales has tossed his hat into the ring for a bid to represent this district in the Assembly starting in 2008.

“I want to make a difference and be a strong voice for the Imperial Valley. I want to help shape the future,” Gonzales, 39, of El Centro said.

An investment manager for Wells Fargo, Gonzales’ prior political experience includes working as a legislative assistant to President Bill Clinton and as deputy director of legislative affairs for Vice President Al Gore.

Gonzales, a Democrat, said he believes his experience in both the private and public sectors is the main reason voters should send him to the Assembly.

“I think I bring solid, high-level government experience and also high-level private sector experience,” he said.

Gonzales said if elected he will focus on jobs, education and health care for the district, which extends from the Imperial Valley to Palm Springs.

Imperial County in particular is considered one of the poorest counties in the state.

His announcement means there are now four people vying to win the seat occupied by Republican Bonnie Garcia of Cathedral City.
The other candidates for her seat are Palm Springs Police Chief Gary Jeandron, a Republican; Cathedral City Councilman Greg Pettis, a Democrat; and Indio City Councilwoman Lupe Ramos Watson, a Republican.

Imperial Irrigation District Director and former Brawley Mayor Stella Mendoza, also a Republican, had announced her intention to run, but last week she told the Imperial Valley Press she will not seek the office. Instead, she said she will run for re-election to the IID board.

Garcia is running for the 40th District state Senate seat for 2010, now held by Denise Moreno Ducheny, D-Chula Vista, who will then be termed out.

Garcia’s term in the Assembly ends in 2008, when her term limit kicks in.

>> Staff Writer Jonathan Athens can be reached at 344-1221 or jathens@ivpressonline.com