On Wednesday, Dan Wolk’s Assembly Campaign announced the endorsement of the entire Solano County Board of Supervisors. The announcement comes as speculation has increased about the emergence of a third candidate into the fray.
Winters Mayor Cecilia Aguiar-Curry on Wednesday declined to confirm she was running, but from all appearances that is mere formality. The potential announcement comes not long after the field had appeared clear for Davis Mayor Dan Wolk, as Alfredo Pedroza – the supervisor appointed by the governor to fill Bill Dodd’s seat on the Solano County Board of Supervisors – announced he will not run for Assembly and instead endorsed Dan Wolk.
In the meantime, Mr. Wolk’s campaign announced Wednesday that he has received the endorsement of all five members of the Solano County Board of Supervisors in his bid for the 4th Assembly District. In addition to Supervisors Erin Hannigan, Linda Seifert, Jim Spering, Skip Thomson and John Vasquez, three Solano County officials, Assessor/Recorder Marc Tonnesen, Superintendent of Schools Jay Speck and Treasurer/Tax Collector/County Clerk Charles Lomeli are endorsing Wolk.
A press release notes, “These latest endorsements continue Wolk’s growing momentum building on already strong support from key elected leaders in all parts of the district.” He is endorsed by more than 30 local elected officials, including several countywide officials, three members of the Napa County Board of Supervisors and two members of the Yolo County Board of Supervisors.
The Solano County leaders praised Wolk’s understanding of issues important to the entire district, including his dedicated support for local agriculture and strong fighting for programs that create opportunity for all.
“As a mayor and county attorney, Dan Wolk has worked to find long-term solutions to stabilize our water supply and will fiercely protect the Delta and our local water systems,” said Supervisor John Vasquez. “Dan has a deep understanding of the challenges that face the entire region, and the importance of agriculture for our local economy.”
Mr. Wolk works as a Deputy County Counsel for Solano County, handling public finance, public contracting and water issues. He is also the founder of the Legal Clinic of Yolo County, a legal services provider for low-income families.
“Dan Wolk has built a strong record of standing up for the most vulnerable residents in our community, including supporting programs that help children and the elderly. He will go to Sacramento to fight so that everyone has the opportunity to succeed,” said Supervisor Linda Seifert.
Last week, Alfredo Pedroza joined two of his colleagues on the Napa County Board of Supervisors, Diane Dillon and Mark Luce, who had already announced their support for Wolk.
“I am proud to endorse Dan Wolk for Assembly because he will work to create opportunity for all and stand up for our region’s most vulnerable residents,” said Mr. Pedroza. “Dan is dedicated to issues important to our community, such as public education, health care for all and ensuring those who work hard never have to raise a family in poverty.”
The supervisors lauded Wolk’s experience and understanding of some of the issues most important to Napa County.
“Dan Wolk is committed to protecting our natural resources that are so important to our local quality of life,” said Supervisor Diane Dillon. “As a mayor creating long-term solutions to ensure a steady water supply and a county attorney dealing with water issues, Dan has the experience and track record to help us through this challenging period and prepare us for future crises.”
Earlier in August, it was two Yolo County Supervisors who supported Mr. Wolk over their colleague Don Saylor.
“I have worked closely with Dan Wolk, and I know he has the experience and the skills to bring people together to represent us effectively in the State Assembly,” said Supervisor Jim Provenza who, along with Don Saylor, are the two supervisors who represent Davis. “Dan is dedicated to giving everyone the opportunity to succeed and will reinvest in our public schools, ensuring all California students have access to a quality education.”
However, with Ms. Aguiar-Curry potentially entering, the race is less settled than it seemed last week.
While Mr. Wolk has racked up the early endorsements, it is too early to see how this race will unfold. In 2008, Christopher Cabaldon, the West Sacramento Mayor, was the heavy favorite. He had early support from Ruth Asmundson and Don Saylor on the Davis City Council, and from Supervisors Helen Thomson and Mike McGowan. Late in the election he had an event in Suisun City where three former Assemblymembers – Tom Hanigan, Helen Thomson and Lois Wolk – backed him, and still he would lose to Mariko Yamada.
—David M. Greenwald reporting
In other news the city dog catcher is endorsing Wolk.
right now it appears wolk is in the driver’s seat. we have not seen a major endorsement announced by saylor. if aguiar-curry starts picking some of these up or even turning early endorsements that realized they jumped in too soon, we will know things could get interesting.