Democrat makes her case for Assembly
| Friday, Nov 20 2009 06:02 PM
Last Updated Friday, Nov 20 2009 06:02 PM
Gina McClellan Rodriguez is the only name in the 2010 Democratic race to represent the heavily Republican 32nd Assembly District.
But, as she prepared for a fundraising dinner at her southwest Bakersfield home Friday, Rodriguez said she believes she can win the seat because the state and the country need to get beyond the battle between red and blue.
"We need to get together and forget the titles," she said.
Rodriguez grew up in Texas, moved to Shafter when she was young and started learning English when she was 7.
She quit high school to work in the fields, Rodriguez said, until one of the other women workers told her to get her butt back into the classroom.
Rodriguez finished her junior and senior years in one year and graduated with her class.
Then she spent 20 years selling Kirby vacuums up and down California.
"If I start something, I'm not a quitter," she said. "No matter what stage of life you're in, you can succeed. This is America."
Rodriguez believes she can help bring business and industry back to Kern County by building relationships in Sacramento and getting common-sense ideas through the legislative process.
But getting to Sacramento will be a tall order for her.
The Republican Party has a very deep bench in the 32nd Assembly race and a strong grasp on the voting base.
Their starter -- incumbent Assemblywoman Jean Fuller -- still hasn't declared whether she'll seek re-election. She said again this week she's leaning toward running for the 18th Senate District seat currently held by terming-out state Sen. Roy Ashburn, R-Bakersfield.
Behind Fuller are California Republican Assembly President Ken Mettler, Mark Abernathy client and radio psychologist Dean Haddock and Taft College professor Harold Pease.
Rodriguez said she's looking forward to running against a good Republican opponent.
"They need to get a strong candidate -- not only moneywise but also in character," she said.
