A special primary election for the seat vacated by Jimmy Gomez, who was elected to the House of Representatives on June 6, 2017, has been called for October 3, 2017 in Assembly District 51. A special election will be held on December 5, 2017 if nobody receives 50%+1. To qualify for the race, candidates had to obtain nomination documents from election officials in their county of residency by August 10, 2017. Candidates could have qualified by paying a $1,041.18 filing fee and could also have qualified by submitting 214 petition signatures by July 31, 2017. The filing deadline for write-in candidates is September 19, 2017.

Members of the California State Assembly serve two-year terms with term limits. According to Article IV of the California Constitution, the candidate must be a United States Citizen, a resident of California for three years, a resident of the legislative district for one year and a registered voter in that district by the time nomination papers are filed. Since the passage of Prop 28 in 2012, legislators first elected on or after November 6, 2012 are limited to a maximum of 12 years.

Candidates include Mike Fong, Alex De Ocampo, Ron Birnbaum, Gabriel Sandoval, Francisco Carrillo, Jr., Barbara Torres, Wendy Carillo, David Vela, Mark Vargas and Luis Lopez. The district encompasses City Terrace, East Los Angeles, Chinatown, Cypress Park, Eagle Rock, Echo Park, Edendale, Glassell park, Highland Park, Montecito Heights, Silver Lake, El Sereno, Lincoln Heights, Monterey Hills.

Ron Birnbaum is a dermatologist, whose campaign is focusing on health care. He is a supporter of single-payer health care for California and advocates for the end of medical bankruptcies. Franky Carrillo spent 20 years in jail for a drive-by murder until 5 of the 6 witnesses against him recanted their testimony. Carrillo was awarded 10.1 million dollars from the city after he sued. Wendy Carillo grew up in Boyle Heights and City Terrace, becoming a labor leader with SEIU Local 2015, leading communications and organizing efforts for long -term care workers. Luis Lopez is a former President of the East Area Planning Commission and a former chair of the City Regional Prop K Commission. Gabriel Sandoval is a former Obama Administration civil rights attorney and senior advisor and director of policy for the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics. David Vela is a former member of the Montebello Unified School District Board of Education and was a senior legislative assistant to former State Assembly Member Jackie Goldberg.

Robin Greenberg

Public Policy Committee Chair

BHGLAAR