Mariko Yamada Leading for Assembly Seat
By GWEN MURANAKA
RAFUENGLISH EDITOR IN CHIEF
Saturday, June 7, 2008

Incumbents prevail in primary elections marked by low voter turnout.

Mariko Yamada

Democrat Mariko Yamada is leading in her bid to represent the 8th Assembly District, which is comprised of por­tions of Solano and Yolo counties and the cities of Benicia, Davis, Dixon, Fairfield, Rio Vista, Su­isun City, Vacaville, West Sacramento, Winters and Woodland.

With 100 percent of the precincts reporting, Yamada, a Yolo County Supervisor, was ahead of opponent West Sacra­mento Mayor Christopher Cabaldon by 8,860 votes or 51.47 percent to 8,272 votes or 48.05 percent. In an interview with The Rafu Shimpo, Yamada didn’t claim victory, but said she is “cautiously optimistic.” If certified, she would face Manuel Cosme in the No­vember general election.

“One of the telling features is my op­ponent has not called to concede. There is always a potential for a recount,” said Yamada.

The Daily Democrat reported that Yamada’s apparent victory would be considered an upset, since Cabaldon held a substantial fundraising edge with $558,000 in total contributions to her $292,549. Cabaldon, who is Filipino American, also had endorsements from many Asian Pacific American leaders, including Rep. Mike Honda.

“I didn’t have the support of the API caucus, except (Assemblymember) Mary Hayashi,” Yamada said. “I don’t think many knew was running and don’t think they thought could win.”

Yamada, 57, is a social worker and received her Masters in Social Work from USC in 1974. Her family was incarcerated in Manzanar during World War IIand she was born and raised in Denver. Her first job in public office was as an aide to former Los Angeles County Su­pervisor Ed Edelmen. She described the district she is seeking to represent as a hybrid.

“They are 10 cities and each is unique with different sizes and interests,” said Yamada. “Whoever is going to represent the district has to be able to balance it all. Certainly issues of transportation, the economy and healthcare. As a social worker, I’m very focused on health and human services.

“For me, focus on the issues of ag­ing, Alzheimer’s and autism. California is not prepared for the silver tsunami, it’s going to be a very dramatic shift to older adults.”

In other election results, Gavin Hachiya Wasserman narrowly lost his attempt to be the first Japanese American since George Nakano to serve on the Torrance City Council. Wasserman, an attorney, came in fifth among a roster of 14 candidates vying for the four seats on the council.

Rep. Mike Honda and Doris Matsui ran unopposed in their party primary. In Assembly races, Hayashi easily prevailed over Jason Teramoto for the Democratic race to represent the 18th district in Alameda County. Incumbent Democratic Assemblymembers Fiona Ma (12th district), Albert Torrico (20th), Mike Eng (49th), Ted Lieu (53rd), War­ren Furutani (55th) and Republican Van Tran (68th) ran unopposed to represent their parties in the fall.

In Assembly district 22, which in­cludes Santa Clara, Democrat Paul Fong will face off in November against Re­publican Brent Oya, a 27-year-old bank manager, to replace incumbent Sally Lieber, who is termed out. San Diego, Darren Kasai, a Democrat, will try to upset Republican businessman Nathan Fletcher in the 75th district, which is considered strongly Republican Kasai, who joined the U.S. Army Reserve after the 9/11 attacks, is a staff officer with a S. Hospital.

Cynthia Loo, a L.A. Superior Court Judicial officer, received a plurality of votes and will challenge Thomas Robinson for the Superior Court Judge Office no. 82.

Former Assemblymember Wilma Chan lost her bid for the State Senate District 9, losing to current Assem­blymember Lori Hancock, in a race to succeed Senate Pro Tem Don Perata. Former Assemblymember Carol Liu ran unopposed for the Democratic bid for the Senate District 21 and will face Teddy Choi, a Republican businessman from Pasadena.

In Orange County Janet Nguyen was reelected to Supervisor District 1, defeating Dina Nguyen and Hoa Van Tran; and fellow incumbent John Nho Trong Nguyen beat Timothy Sy Nguyen for Superior Court Office no. 25.

Los Angeles County voter turnout was 16.48 percent — a low point since at least 1970, according to uncertified election figures released Wednesday by the Registrar-Re­corder/County Clerk’s office.