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Certain residents of Pleasanton and Dublin will be among the East Bay voters selecting a State Assembly District 20 representative during the General Election this November.
Facing off are Democratic incumbent Liz Ortega and real estate appraiser Patricia Muga, a registered Republican. They aim to represent residents in western portions of Pleasanton and Dublin as well as residents of Hayward, San Leandro, Union City and unincorporated Castro Valley, Ashland, Cherryland, Fairview and San Lorenzo.
Ahead of the general election, Ortega and Muga are on the June 2 primary election ballot. Regardless of the outcome of the primary, the top two candidates will move onto a runoff in November.
“My top priority is ensuring that every Californian who works hard has a chance at a good life,” Ortega told the Pleasanton Weekly in an email interview. “That means expanding access to good-paying jobs, affordable healthcare, and high-quality public education so families can thrive.”
Raised in Oakland, the current San Leandro resident considers herself a “longtime labor and community leader”, according to Ortega’s profile on the Assembly District 20 website.
While in office for the past two terms, she has passed legislation to strengthen worker protections, prevent child labor exploitation and improve public safety, Ortega told the Weekly. She has also backed measures to reduce renter expenses, expand access to affordable car insurance and invest in education and healthcare for working families.
Ortega currently serves as the chair of the Assembly Committee on Labor and Employment and on committees including Budget, Insurance and Privacy and Consumer Protection.
Ortega was also the first Latina to be elected as the executive secretary-treasurer of the Alameda Labor Council, according to her campaign website.
If reelected to the State Assembly, Ortega said she intends to continue advancing policies to raise wages, protect workers and lower the cost of living.
“Public service is about delivering real results. I remain committed to working in partnership with our communities to build an economy that works for everyone and ensures opportunity, dignity and stability for all Californians,” Ortega said.
Aiming to unseat the incumbent is Dublin resident Muga.
“One Party controls a SUPER majority of Our Legislature. This means if YOU ARE NOT HAPPY with the ‘state’ of California or your prospects for a prosperous future here in the greatest state in this country, YOU HAVE ONLY ONE PARTY TO THANK!” Muga said on her campaign website. “CONSIDER ANOTHER WAY!”
She did not respond to multiple requests from the Weekly for an interview.
Muga aims to restore a middle class working economy; maintain natural gas and nuclear power plants and petroleum refineries as well as increase water storage statewide, especially in northern and central California, her campaign website states.
Muga supports mandatory proof of citizenship for voter registration at the County Registrar of Voters office, “vagrancy laws and guardianship protection for the addicted and mentally ill”, according to her website.
Muga said she was previously a registered Democrat and voter with no party preference. “I am now a registered Republican because I clearly see the way organized labor, corporate interests and corrupt powerful actors are advancing policies contrary to the public interest,” she added.
Muga is currently a voting member of the Alameda County Republican Party Central Committee and participant in efforts such as the Election Integrity Team of Alameda County, according to her campaign website.
She also fought against COVID-related mandates and shutdowns, Muga notes on her website.
Muga moved to the Bay Area with her husband in 2014 after growing up in the Inland Empire in California and graduating from UCLA.
Her career has included roles in telecommunications, sales and administrative management. Muga has also worked as an emergency medical technician, a volunteer for border health projects and a government relations assistant for a medical center.
Since arriving in Dublin, Muga said she has served as an election worker and Voter Center Captain for Alameda and Contra Costa counties for the last 12 years.
In addition to the State Assembly seat, Muga is also vying for a spot on the Zone 7 Water Agency Board of Directors.
