A former Democratic rival endorsed Greg Pettis, Cathedral City Councilman and former Mayor Pro-Tem of Cathedral City, in his bid for the 80th Assembly District seat, according to The Desert Sun and the Pettis campaign. Pettis already has the endorsement of every Democratic club in the 80th Assembly District that thus far has endorsed, including the Desert Hot Springs Democratic Club, the Desert Stonewall Democratic Club, the Inland Stonewall Democratic Club, the Palm Springs Democratic Club, the Pass Democratic Club, the San Diego Democratic Club, and the San Diego Democratic Women’s Club.
In addition, the former-candidate for the 80th Assembly District Mary Ann Andreas, former-President of the Sun City Democratic Club, Arnie Kaminsky, President of the Pass Democratic Club Jacqueline Atwood, Vice-President of the Pass Democratic Club Betty McMillion, the Treasurer of the Desert Stonewall Democratic Club Bob Silverman, the President of the Desert Hot Springs Democratic Club Will Pieper, Vice-President of the Desert Hot Springs Democratic Club Chuck McDaniel, Co-Chair of the Palm Springs Democratic Club Sandy Eldridge, Co-Chair of the Palm Springs Democratic Club David Pye, co-founder of the Palm Springs Democratic Club Lisa Arbalaez, former Co-Chair of the Palm Springs Democratic Club Robert Lee Thomas, Riverside County Democratic Central Committee Alternate Kira Klatchko, Paul Rasso, President of the Democratic Women of the Desert Nikki Stone, and other local Democratic activists have endorsed Pettis as the transformational candidate.
According to The Desert Sun reporter, Nicole Brambila,
Coachella City Councilman Gilbert Ramirez Jr., who was knocked out of the race for the Democratic nomination in March, threw his support behind the Cathedral City Councilman (Pettis) vying to replace outgoing Assemblywoman Bonnie Garcia, R-Cathedral City.
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The Desert Sun article continues:
Garcia cannot run again because of term limits.
“With our economy in recession and our kids facing budget cuts from Sacramento, we want leaders with a successful track record of showing up day in an day out and protecting vital services,” Ramirez said in a campaign press release.
“Greg not only has a track record of success creating jobs in Cathedral City, but also a sensible plan to cover every child with health care and to invest in our public schools. That’s the kind of tested and trusted leadership we need in Sacramento to turn our state in the right direction.”
Ramirez did not qualify for the race because he failed to get 40 Democratic nominating signatures. Only 33 of 68 of his signatures counted.
Pettis’ focuses on three major issues during the campaign, universal healthcare, the local economy, and the environment. His ideas include:
Make health care more affordable and accessible by
Insuring every child
Expanding access to Medi-Cal and Healthy Families to cover those being priced out of the market
Protecting doctor choice
Encouraging preventative care
Working towards a universal health care system
Create good paying jobs and opportunities by:
Expanding enterprise zones
Micro-targeting loans to distressed communities
Supporting tourism and agriculture industries
Increasing investment in local higher education
Attracting green energy firms
Keep our air and water clean and protect our planet by:
Meeting the goal of 25% renewable energy by 2020
Expanding green building standards to reduce water use
Increasing recycling rates
Creating transportation options and pedestrian friendly neighborhoods to reduce sprawl
Protecting the Salton Sea from excess runoff