Incumbent Juan Alanis has the lead in Assembly District 22 rematch with Jessica Self
Assemblyman Juan Alanis, R-Modesto, expanded his lead in updated returns from Tuesday’s primary election, in seeking a second term in the state Legislature.
Alanis has 56.1% of the vote, while Democratic challenger Jessica Self has 43.9% in a rematch of an Assembly race two years ago.
The 22nd Assembly District takes in most of Stanislaus County, including Modesto and Turlock, and a small part of Merced County.
Alanis and Self are certain to advance to the November ballot, but candidates hope the primary election helps with building name recognition and momentum. The incumbent defeated his opponent in 2022 to win his first term in the Assembly.
Self spent about $50,000 on her campaign in the two months before Tuesday’s primary, ending with a $63,350 cash balance. Alanis spent about $30,000 and has $322,000 in campaign cash, according to the Secretary of State.
Alanis, a former sergeant with the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office, was an advocate for state bills to increase penalties for criminal offenders and also worked on legislation targeting fentanyl traffickers.
He supported a law that makes human trafficking of a minor a serious felony.
Self said during her campaign that she’s a voice for working-class people. She said families are struggling to buy groceries and there isn’t enough housing for people at different income levels in the region.
Flora has a commanding lead
In another contest, Assemblyman Heath Flora, R-Ripon, scored an easy victory in his campaign for a fifth term in Sacramento. He currently represents the 9th District, a largely rural area including Oakdale, Riverbank, Escalon, Manteca and Lodi.
Flora has 73.6% in the updated results, compared to 26.4% for Tami Nobriga, a retired businesswoman from Lodi. It’s enough votes for Nobriga to beat two write-in candidates that emerged and continue on to the November election.
Flora recently introduced two bills to make it easier for police to obtain search warrants while investigating suspected child predators.
Nobriga, who has never held public office, said the state needs to do more to protect children from abuse.
Election night results: See the first results from state and local elections in Stanislaus County
This story was originally published March 5, 2024 at 9:47 PM.
