Dawn Addis launches new campaign for state Assembly
Morro Bay City Council member Dawn Addis announced on Thursday a new run for the State Assembly.
But it’s unclear whether that will set up a rematch with 35th District incumbent Republican Jordan Cunningham because redistricting could significantly change the district’s borders and Cunningham has not yet said whether he will defend his seat.
Addis, a Democrat, said the following in a news release Thursday in explaining her reasons for running:
“I believe our communities deserve leadership that reflects our values and commitment to solving the challenges we face. Climate change is a real and present danger to the Central Coast. Drought, wildfires, habitat loss, and coastal erosion threaten our way of life.”
She added: “If elected, I will fight every day to protect and improve the quality of life in our neighborhoods, advance equity and justice in public policy, create jobs that pay a living wage, and protect the most vulnerable among us. I believe that housing, health care, and education are human rights, and that as one of the most prosperous states in the most prosperous nation in the world, we can afford to meet the basic needs of every Californian.”
Addis cited her experience as a co-founding member of Women’s March San Luis Obispo, which drew 10,000 people in 2017; Women’s March has developed into a nonprofit.
Addis also cited her experience as a council member, classroom teacher and mother to help prepare her for the role. She holds a bachelor’s degree in art education and Spanish and a master’s in special education from San Francisco State University, along with four different teaching credentials.
“I look forward to talking to thousands of residents in the coming months, and starting a conversation about the future of our state,” Addis said.
Addis and her husband, Marcus, are the parents of two sons.
Will Addis and Cunningham meet in a rematch?
Addis’ announcement came the same week that the redistricting commission released preliminary maps for the state Assembly, which show potential new boundaries that would shift the current 35th District to the north.
Instead of including all of SLO County and the northern portion of Santa Barbara County, the district would include SLO County on the southern end and stretch all the way north along the coast to Santa Cruz.
That uncertainty has led Cunningham to hold off announcing a new campaign.
“I’m 100% focused on representing my constituents in the 35th Assembly District,” Cunningham said in a response to Tribune questions about his possible plans for a re-election bid. “It would be premature to comment before we see final maps from the Commission.”
Cunningham’s consultant, Matt Rexroad, also responded to Addis’ announcement, however, saying that “in the highest turnout election in history, Central Coast voters made it clear that they wanted an Assemblymember who would fight for a more affordable Central Coast.”
Cunningham added that court challenges brought by various parties under the Voting Rights Act also are a factor in the next election and how it will be decided.
Rexroad added: “Dawn Addis announced on draft district maps. That alone shows she is inexperienced and unable to effectively represent the Central Coast in the Assembly. We need thoughtful and intelligent leadership. And we don’t need higher taxes, which she has a record of supporting. The Central Coast is expensive enough already.”
Cunningham defeated Addis by a more than 10-point margin in 2020, 55.1% to 44.9%, according to ballotpedia.org.
Addis’s representative, Michael Soneff, responded Thursday evening, saying: “Despite Jordan Cunningham’s special interest friends spending hundreds of thousands of dollars falsely attacking her, Dawn Addis received over 103,000 votes in 2020 and built an incredible grassroots coalition across the Central Coast.”
Soneff added: “Unlike Jordan, Dawn is committed to fighting climate change, fully funding schools, and taking commonsense steps to protect public health. We believe the new Central Coast Assembly district will be very receptive to Dawn’s experience and values.”
This story has been updated with comment from Jordan Cunningham.
This story was originally published November 11, 2021 at 3:19 PM.
%20Cropped.jpg)