Assemblyman Simon Salinas, who has represented San Benito County
in the State Capitol for six years, has decided to go back to his
political roots.
Hollister – Assemblyman Simon Salinas, who has represented San Benito County in the State Capitol for six years, has decided to go back to his political roots.
Rather than take a run for state senate, where he would face incumbent Jeff Denham, Salinas, (D-Salinas), announced this week that he will seek a seat on the Monterey County Board of Supervisors.
Although Salinas considered challenging incumbent Denham, R-Merced, for several months, he decided his help was needed more at home. Based on initial polling numbers, Salinas said unseating Denham would have been a very real possibility.
“I think it would have been a good race; I would have been in it to win,” he said.
Salinas said his priorities shifted when his 96-year-old father moved into in-home hospice care. Salinas also said he didn’t want to miss his son’s junior varsity football games this year.
Denham said Salinas had called him before making the announcement and wasn’t surprised by the decision.
Salinas said he wouldn’t have been able to spend enough time with his family if he had to exhaust months raising the $2- to $3-million needed for a successful senatorial campaign. A bid for a supervisor seat would take considerably less money – he estimated $100,000 – and would allow him to be close to his family.
