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The race to represent the bulk of the Tri-Valley in the lower legislative house in Sacramento features familiar names this fall – the same two names on the November ballot for the past three election cycles, in fact.
Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan (D-Orinda) is seeking a fourth consecutive term for State Assembly District 16 against real estate appraiser Joe Rubay (R-Alamo), whom she defeated by nearly 2:1 margins in the 2020 and 2022 general elections. The pair were also the only candidates on the primary ballot, automatically advancing to a required two-person runoff despite Bauer-Kahan finishing ahead 65.5% to 34.5% in the March election.
Embarcadero Media Foundation’s East Bay Division asked each candidate for thoughts about their record, their campaign priorities and their goals for the Tri-Valley part of the district specifically. Here’s how each responded by email:
Rebecca Bauer-Kahan
It has been my great honor to represent the Tri-Valley and District 16 in the Assembly for the last 6 years. We’ve achieved so much together, but I’m running for another term because there is more work to be done. I hope to continue to be the voice in the legislature that fights for the Tri-Valley’s needs and values. I speak with constituents every day to communicate our record of success here in the Tri-Valley, and to ensure we are addressing residents’ concerns and priorities in the California State Assembly.
Protecting our community and keeping us safe has always been a top priority and I look to continue that work should I be re-elected. We’ve secured key funding in the state budget for remediation and clean-up of harmful “PFAS” chemicals from the City of Pleasanton’s groundwater wells. I authored legislation to keep our kids safe from guns, secured millions in public safety dollars for our local fire agencies to fight the threat of wildfire, and gave law enforcement additional tools to fight retail theft. I’m incredibly proud to have authored legislation that created the new mental health crisis hotline 9-8-8 which serves as an alternative to calling 9-1-1 for those in mental health emergencies.
Additionally, I created and chair the Select Committee on Reproductive Health — the first of its kind in the nation. I partnered with The White House to pass nation-leading legislation that makes California a safe harbor for reproductive health services. I protected patients and providers from the threat of terrorism and criminal prosecution for providing or accessing health care. I also passed privacy legislation to ensure all abortion related health records are kept confidential. Critical work will need to continue to ensure that all residents and beyond have access to quality care.
As an environmental attorney, tackling our climate crisis and protecting our environment has always been a core issue for me. I’ve banned dangerous pesticides that are harmful to our kids, pets, air, water and soil. I fought and won the decades-long battle to preserve Livermore’s 3,100-acre Tesla Park in perpetuity as open space and parkland for all residents. I’ve authored legislation to protect our water and to place steep fines on those who circumvent our laws for their own gain.
We have many challenges left to tackle. We must work to make our communities affordable and prosperous. I will continue to partner with our local innovation leaders to support our businesses and expand our economic engine. We have important work to do to maintain and improve our schools so that we provide a quality education for our kids. As the chair of the Consumer Protection and Privacy Committee, I am working hard to take actions now to ensure AI is used ethically and responsibly, and that it benefits everyone and doesn’t inhibit innovation or stifle California’s economic success.
Joe Rubay
My No. 1 campaign goal is to focus on public safety over social justice.
Prop 36 on this year’s ballot is supported by 71% of the voters in California. Prop 36 was put on the ballot by the people. My opponent has been in the State Assembly for close to six years and has not addressed the rising number of smash and grab retail robberies and the new phenomenon of the follow you home mugging. She has done the opposite. In 2022 she was one of the State Assembly’s lead supporters of SB 262 that basically created a no-cash bail system for California (lucky for us the measure failed by seven members of her own party in the Assembly). We had a very dangerous smash-and-grab last year at the Heller Jewelers in the City Center in San Ramon. We have had five “follow you home muggings” at gunpoint between Alamo, Danville and Walnut Creek in just the past three years.
I believe very strongly that parents of school-age children have the right to be informed on every aspect of their child’s public school experience.
My opponent supported AB 1955 (CA 2024), the bill that banned the right of any school district in California to direct teachers and administrators to inform parents of gender related mental health problems. My opponent spoke on the floor of the Assembly and basically said that even if you love your child you may not know what is best for them. I believe every parent wants to know everything when it comes to their child and their behavior in school that may lead to them making life changing decisions.
Some particular issues I feel need to be addressed very soon are:
1. Our State should not be a Sanctuary State: Kate Steinle was shot and killed by an undocumented immigrant who had been deported several times in the past. Kate Steinle was from Pleasanton.
2. Cost of living is on the rise and the cost of housing is getting out of control: I support no increases to the minimum wage and no expansion of rent control.
3. The homeless problem while not a big problem in the Tri-Valley yet is a growing problem for our State. I would support an expansion in mental health facilities and the practice of offering drug rehab and mental health assistance over providing housing only programs.
My views on running for a third time. We are a one-party state. We do not have anyone other than two Democrats running for our State Senate seat (where I live in Alamo). I believe it is healthy for our democracy to have two candidates with differing views compete for every position on the ballot.
I have been appointed by two California Governors to serve on the Contra Costa Fair Board. I have been on the Alamo Police Services Advisory Committee for 10 years. I have been endorsed by the Contra Costa Sheriff Deputies Association and the Walnut Creek Police Officer’s Association for the past two cycles.
We have a level of retail theft and “follow you home” muggings that is simply too high.
That is why I am running and that is why I believe the people of the Tri-Valley are ready for change in who represents them in Sacramento.
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