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State Senate hopeful Jaime Raul Zepeda is ending his marketing campaign and as a substitute throwing his help behind fellow candidate Aisha Wahab.
Zepeda, who was operating for the state Senate District 10 seat, introduced the tip of his marketing campaign Monday. The state redistricting course of—which happens as soon as each 10 years on the native, state and federal ranges—established new political boundaries final yr and drew Zepeda’s dwelling in Castro Valley out of District 10 and into District 9.
Zepeda, who ran as a Democrat, was an underdog within the race to interchange Sen. Bob Wieckowski (D-Fremont) in representing roughly 900,000 residents in District 10. Zepeda jumped into the race with no prior political expertise—a reality he touted.
After incomes >60k supporters, >700 particular person contributors, & accepting $0 in corporate-PAC, as we speak’s the LAST day of my marketing campaign.
I’ve been drawn out of my very own district & am not eligible to run 4 this seat.
Extra updates later. Right this moment I simply wished to thank y’all w/all my coronary heart.
— Jaime Raul Zepeda (@JaimeRaulZepeda) January 10, 2022
The outdated district boundary included components of Alameda and Santa Clara counties, in addition to North San Jose, Hayward, Fremont and areas north of Interstate 580, the place Zepeda lives.
“Which means that I’m not allowed to run for the open seat that will likely be out there after Sen. Bob Wiekckowski finishes his present time period,” Zepeda mentioned in a press release.
Throughout his marketing campaign, Zepeda mentioned he garnered help from greater than 60,000 residents, roughly 700 of whom additionally contributed to his corporate-free marketing campaign. He ran on a platform that prioritized local weather change, reasonably priced housing, high-quality public schooling and supporting small companies—together with forming a public financial institution for underrepresented communities, minority and ladies enterprise homeowners.
Now out of the race, Zepeda is endorsing Wahab, a progressive candidate and a Hayward councilmember.
“Councilmember Wahab is a fighter who cares about giving everybody a voice in Sacramento,” he mentioned. “She is targeted on fixing our greatest challenges round schooling, local weather change, and constructing wholesome and thriving communities.”
Wahab, the primary Afghan-American elected to public workplace within the U.S., is going through Fremont Mayor Lily Mei, former San Jose Metropolis Council candidate Jamal Khan and the lone Republican candidate Paul Pimentel within the race.
“Jaime has run an awesome marketing campaign, and he respects the work that we’re doing,” Wahab advised San José Highlight. “I’m grateful for his endorsement.”
Wahab’s marketing campaign prioritizes housing affordability, civic engagement, schooling and financial inequality. She beforehand interned for former Sen. Jim Beall, chaired the Alameda County Human Relations Fee and served as a board member for Afghan Coalition, Abode Companies and meals financial institution Tri-Metropolis Volunteers.
Wahab has scored some key endorsements within the race, together with one from Wieckowski who’s terming out subsequent yr. Wieckowski known as her “the one candidate with management skill,” in response to Wahab’s web site.
“Our marketing campaign is a coalition of help,” Wahab mentioned. “Now we have all kinds of donors behind us.”
Wahab and Mei are the 2 frontrunners to date. Wahab raised roughly $244,000 within the first six months of 2021, whereas Mei raised greater than $300,000 throughout the identical interval, in response to the most recent marketing campaign knowledge. Wahab declined to share how a lot her marketing campaign has raised within the final six months.
Political insiders beforehand predicted the redistricting course of would have minimal affect on the state Senate race. Domestically, new political boundaries in Santa Clara County additionally lower former San Jose Councilmember Johnny Khamis from the District 1 race, prompting him to relocate to maintain operating.
The first election for the state Senate seat is June 7.
Contact Tran Nguyen at [email protected] or observe @nguyenntrann on Twitter.
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