It’s not Jane Fonda’s involvement – ​​San Bernardino Sun

Come January, there’s no doubt a Democrat will represent a state Assembly district encompassing parts of San Bernardino County.

The choice facing voters in the 50th Assembly District is which Democrat to pick.

Robert Garcia and Adam Perez, both Democrats, are the only candidates on the Nov. 5 ballots in the district, which represents Loma Linda, Colton, and parts of Redlands, Rialto, Rancho Cucamonga, Fontana, Ontario and the city of San Bernardino.

Garcia has the California Democratic Party’s endorsement. And actor Jane Fonda recently headlined a Garcia fundraiser in Rancho Cucamonga.

Perez, meanwhile, is leaning into his military and law enforcement background while touting endorsements from labor unions and Inland Empire political figures.

It’s the only intraparty general election fight in the Inland area, one made possible by California’s top-two primary, which advances the top two vote-getters regardless of their party. Garcia finished first and Perez second — Garcia got 42% of the vote to Perez’s 29% — in a March primary contest featuring Democrat DeJonaé Shaw and write-in Republican Sharon Stein.

Created through 2021 political redistricting, the 50th is currently represented by Assemblymember Eloise Gómez Reyes, D-Colton, who is giving up her seat to run for the state Senate. It’s a solidly blue district, with Democrats accounting for 45% of the 50th’s registered voters compared to 25% for Republicans.

Besides being Democrats, Garcia and Perez also help oversee public school districts. Garcia sits on the Etiwanda School District board; Perez serves on the Fontana Unified School District board.

An assistant principal at an elementary school in the Ontario-Montclair School District, Garcia said he was reluctant when first approached to run in the 50th.

After further discussions, Garcia said he came to realize “that basically the excellence and the impact that I’ve been making in schools, I can make that same type of similar impact on a larger scale for more residents and more people in the Inland Empire “

Perez said via email that he’s running because “I believe in public service (and) I want to give back to my community in the most impactful way that I can.”

“Our San Bernardino County communities are facing big challenges — like homelessness, rising costs and the fentanyl epidemic,” Perez added. “I think my experiences have helped prepare me to address these issues and deliver results for our district.”

While the race is Democrat vs. Democrat “on paper … My opponent is supported mainly by Republicans and the Republican establishment,” Garcia said.

“I’ve got the support of the Democratic Party behind me (and well as Democratic clubs). And so I do feel that the community is behind me as shown in the primary.”

Perez said Garcia “is too focused on partisanship. I haven’t met a single voter who wants politics to be more partisan than it already is. People want cheaper gas, lower rent, and better jobs — and those are issues that both parties can agree on.”

Perez’s listed endorsers include the Redlands and Rancho Cucamonga firefighters’ unions, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 477 and the California Statewide Law Enforcement Association, as well as Assemblymember James Ramos, D-Highland, and former San Bernardino County Supervisor Josie Gonzales.

“I’m proud of my bipartisan coalition, and I’m also proud to have the support of local firefighters, police officers, healthcare workers, and small business owners,” Perez said.

Garcia’s listed endorsements include the California Legislative Progressive Caucus, the California Teachers’ Association, Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, D-Hollister, and Rep. Pete Aguilar, D-San Bernardino. Reyes also endorsed Garcia to succeed her in the Assembly.

Garcia said that Fonda, who has a long history of left-of-center political activism, raised money for him because her political action committee endorsed him and other candidates dedicated to fighting climate change.