Thanks to the help and support of activists across the state, we forced a runoff election for the 15th State Senate district open seat. Every vote that was cast, every voter that was contacted, and every dollar that was donated to my campaign made the difference between an outright victory for my opponent and our chance to win this race on August 17.

Over the past few weeks they threw the kitchen sink at us. With nearly all the ballots counted, we know their plan didn’t work and we have secured a runoff election. They called an election that voters didn’t see coming.  They drenched us with $1.3 million in attack TV, radio and mailings. They cynically took advantage of disproportionately high Republican turnout in the June 8 primary election in order to drive up absentee votes for our opponent. It was a perfect storm of factors arrayed against us.

Because of my supporters and activists, we prevailed and denied my opponent of his planned outright victory. But I’m going need the support of Calitics readers to continue the fight and win this election on August 17.

For the run-off election we’ll finally have a level playing field. Without an election date devised by the Governor to confuse voters — and supported by Assemblyman Blakeslee — our opponent’s element of surprise with voters is gone. And, with a battle-tested field operation in place, we now have time to take our message to voters and engage in a serious debate about the issues facing California and the 15th Senate District.

In the coming weeks we will talk directly with voters about education, job creation, environmental protection, the state budget and breaking the gridlock in Sacramento. For example, California’s state budget is already 10 days late.  Every day that goes by without a budget is a day deeper into the gridlock. Assemblyman Blakeslee presided over the gridlock last year and again this year is central to the problem. We will engage with him on the details of the state budget and the vision for California’s future. Education, parks, local public safety and jobs hang in the balance. Each day of this campaign, I will stand for an end to gridlock as California’s budget process continues to be held hostage by my opponent and his party.

Much was accomplished is the first round. First, California’s coast is the clear victor in this election. We called out my opponent on his support for offshore oil drilling over the past year and he eventually came to our position on offshore drilling.

Second, we built a strong field campaign in all five counties within two weeks, and reached more than 110,000 houses through phone banking and walking. Our grassroots approach also extended to our fundraising effort. With over 1,300 individual contributors in just seven weeks, we outnumbered my opponent’s by a factor of 4-to-1.  

Third, I was recognized throughout the district as the candidate who would best represent the area’s interests in Sacramento. I received eight out of nine newspaper endorsements in the district. And we have an overwhelming majority of local endorsements made by organizations and elected officials.

I have a vision for a better California. In the run-off campaign and with a level playing field, we are going to work even harder to deliver a message that focuses on support for education, job creation, environmental protection and breaking the gridlock in Sacramento.

We are going to work harder. We’re going to reach more voters. We’re going to win this race. But we cannot do it without your support. I appreciate all that the Calitics community has done for me – but I’m going to need you to continue to work on my behalf. Show my opponent that you’re in this fight with me by making a contribution to my campaign today. I’ll soon let you know what else you can do to help the campaign prepare for the August 17 election.

Thank you for your votes, your donations, and your support.