Santa Cruz, CA – Former State Senator and Assemblymember John Vasconcellos, who served for 38 years in the California State Legislature, endorsed Emily Reilly for State Assembly today.
"It really means a lot to have former Senator Vasconcellos’s endorsement,” said Reilly. “His experience and many accomplishments during his time in the legislature are a great example to aspiring legislators. I am honored to have his support to represent the 27th district in the Assembly.”
Senator Vasconcellos represented Silicon Valley during his time in the legislature, including parts of Mountain View, San Jose, Santa Clara and Sunnyvale. He was a long-time chairman of the Assembly Ways and Means Committee, one of the most influential committees in the legislature. He also served in the State Senate for eight years and chaired several committees including Public Safety, Education, and Economic Development.
“If you meet my friend Emily Reilly,” said Senator Vasconcellos, “you will surely want her to represent you in Sacramento come November.”
Reilly has received a number of high-profile endorsements, including those of California Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi; Board of Equalization Chair Betty Yee; Assembly member Patty Berg, the former chair and current vice-chair of the Women's Legislative Caucus; The California Nurses Association; the California League of Conservation Voters; the Women's Political Committee; Democratic Activists for Women Now; United Transportation Union Local 23; the Santa Cruz Police Officers Association; the GLBT Alliance and a wide range of community leaders including past and present Mayors of Capitola, Pacific Grove, Salinas and Santa Cruz and members of the Capitola, Gonzales, Monterey, Santa Cruz, and Soledad City Councils.
Reilly is a member of the Santa Cruz City Council, the owner of a local bakery, Emily's Good Things to Eat, and a former two-term Mayor. The Assembly seat is currently held by John Laird, who is termed out in January 2009.
See a complete list of Emily's endorsements here.
