patching...
Breaking: Hiker Evacuated by Helicopter at Eaton Canyon »
Welcome back, Patch Blogger!

What Questions Do You Have for Assembly Candidates?

Tell us in comments: What inquiries do you have for candidates Michael Cacciotti, Chris Holden, Donna Lowe and Victoria Rusnak?

 

Update: Victoria Rusnak, President/General Counsel at Rusnak Auto Group, filed papers Wednesday to join the 41st Assembly race. Here is her bio, according to Pasadena Sun:

Victoria Rusnak

Rusnak, 43, is president and general counsel of the Rusnak Auto Group, a series of car dealerships in the San Gabriel Valley.

She is an attorney who previously worked for the Sierra Club Legal Defense Club in Washington, D.C., and for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in Washington state. She graduated from the University of Southern California and earned her law degree from the Gonzaga University School of Law.

Rusnak said her experience running a 700-employee company will help her shape policies in Sacramento that will be friendly to small business while balancing environmental concerns. 

Update: Patch has updated this story to include background information on candidate Donna Lowe. We will continue to add to this article if more candidates arise. 

Please let us know what questions you'd like us to pass along in the comments sections below!

To learn more about each candidate, click on his or her name.

Donna Lowe

Lowe is a lifelong Republican. Married to Gary Lowe with two young children of their own and two step-daughters, Donna is a business professional residing in Claremont, Calif.  

She is the founder of the Claremont Conservatives Tea Party, Former Board member for the Mountain View Republican Club (which represents nine cities), Spokesperson for Claremont Taxpayers for Common Sense, and currently serves on the Claremont Community Services Commission and is an alternate on the 59th Assembly District Committee.

Lowe believes "Sacramento must stop excessive taxes and unnecessary spending" and that the state should "adopt an 'open for business' attitude and repeal the excessive regulations that are destroying our economy." 

Original Article: South Pasadena Mayor Michael Cacciotti will face Pasadena Councilman Chris Holden in the 41st District Assembly race this year.

But before you vote in June, Patch wants to get your questions answered. Tell us in comments: What inquiries do you have for each candidate?

Here's some background about Cacciotti and Holden:

Michael Cacciotti

A Deputy Attorney General for the California Department of Justice, Cacciotti has served the people of South Pasadena since 2001. He's currently in his third term as Mayor and has served two terms as Mayor Pro Tem. 

An environmental advocate and former teacher, Cacciotti's platform focuses on economy, environment, education and energy. He has been an advisory board member on the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy since 2001 and a governing board member on the South Coast Air Quality Management District, representing the eastern region of Los Angeles County since 2008. 

He was a volunteer at St. Vincent's Meals on Wheels for over a decade, currently volunteers at South Pasadena’s local Senior Center, and has served as a youth (AYSO), high school, and college soccer coach for over 30 years. He and his wife, Annie, live in South Pasadena with their Labrador retrievers, Winston and Romeo.

Chris Holden

Son of former Los Angeles City Councilman Nate Holden, Holden has served on the Pasadena City Council for 21 years. From May 1997 to May 1999, Holden became the first African American male to serve the city as mayor.

His accomplishments include the creation of a living wage ordinance, charter reform (creating an elected mayor and compensation for councilmembers), utility deregulation, redevelopment of the city’s civic center and chair of the Charter Reform Task Force for schools.

As the champion of Pasadena’s slumlord ordinance and drug-free zones, Holden has regional interests as well, serving as an officer on the Burbank Airport Authority. He lives in Pasadena with his wife, Melanie, his four children: Nicholas, Alexander, Austin, Mariah, and his stepson, Noah.

Patch Asks: What questions do you have for the Assembly candidates? What issues are most important to you in the upcoming election?

Related Topics: Government, Michael Cacciotti, State Assembly, and chris holden
What questions do you have for the Assembly candidates? Tell us in the comments.

Tom Adams

4:15 pm on Thursday, January 19, 2012

There are other candidates for this office. Were you planning on adding them to this list or just listing these two?

Reply

Sam Burgess

7:05 pm on Thursday, January 19, 2012

Tom Adams has a point. Other (announced) candidates should be added to your list and each candidate should be given the opportunity to make a SHORT statement on their candidacy before any questions are asked.

Reply

Nadine Isenberg

9:44 am on Friday, January 20, 2012

I like what Chris Holden has done for Pasadena. I am glad I will get to vote for him in the up coming election. It feels good to know that when something is going on in the community Chris is always close by. I have not heard of others running, they need to put themselves out there or they will miss the train. Everyone is given the opportunity to tell about themselves in the Patch. Heck they could comment like us and you would know if you check the box "Send me email updates for this article". So if you feel someone is being left out tell us about them now and get them to tell about themselves.

Reply
Patch_comments_icon

Kristen Lepore

10:48 am on Friday, January 20, 2012

Hi all: We have updated the article to reflect all candidates who have expressed intent to run, including Donna Lowe. We will continue to update the story as candidates arise. Please feel free to pass along any questions you have for each of them!

Reply

Bill Peters

7:14 pm on Friday, January 20, 2012

Gov. Brown seems for the Bullet Train from San Diego to San Francisco. My feeling is, let's be all-in or all-out. If we are all in, then let's get the funding, as required by the Proposition we passed. If not, let;s get the highways fixed so we can motor-on. Let's hear from the candidates. Do you support the Bullet Train or not.

Reply

Alan Reynolds

1:18 pm on Saturday, January 21, 2012

While there are many questions that can be presented regarding the state of affairs in CA, economy, jobs, education, etc. The main question I have for all the candidates (keeping in mind that I have a rough idea of the answers already from previous activities) and the one that effects both myself, South Pasadena, and the 41st district most directly is: Regarding the 710 freeway extension, is this something you support or would work to prevent, in each of its forms (surface, cut and cover,
or full bore tunnel)?

Reply
Comment_arrow

Ron Rosen

4:45 pm on Saturday, January 21, 2012

My understanding is that Chris Holden supports the completion of the 710 above ground.

Alan Reynolds

5:03 pm on Saturday, January 21, 2012

Ron, that is my understanding as well.

Reply

Leave a comment