Republican steps into 30th Assembly District race
| Sunday, Nov 22 2009 06:29 PM
Last Updated Sunday, Nov 22 2009 06:29 PM
POLITICAL NOTEBOOK
A Republican has tossed his hat in the ring for the state Assembly seat now held by Danny Gilmore, the Hanford Republican widely expected to drop out after his first two-year term.
David Valadao, a Hanford dairyman, filed paperwork indicating he'll run for the 30th District seat.
The race has already become a must-watch for political junkies. On the Democratic ticket, Fran Florez and Pete Parra will face off in the primary, continuing a rivalry between two of Kern's most prominent Democratic families.
Neither Valadao nor Gilmore could be reached Sunday evening.
James Henderson, chair of the Republican Party of Tulare County, has met Valadao and heard he wanted to run.
His group will do everything they can to support the eventual Republican candidate.
"We'd like to keep that seat," he said.
-- Californian staff writer Gretchen Wenner
