This story will be updated with results after polls close at 8 p.m. on June 2.
Democrats will try and flip a seat in the state assembly by taking Assemblymember Greg Wallis’ district.
The race for Assembly District 47 pits Wallis against software engineer Jason Byors and Leila Namvar, a public arts analyst for the city of Indio who has been a leader in the union that represents city employees. Both are Democrats.
As in other races, affordability has taken center stage in each of the candidates’ campaigns. The candidates all brought up lowering the cost of living in response to a questionnaire sent out by The Desert Sun.
“Affordability is still the biggest issue facing families across our communities,” Wallis said. “People are paying more for groceries, gas, insurance, and everyday necessities while feeling like their paycheck goes less and less far.”
Namvar also took up the cause of affordability in her campaign.
“I would fight to expand affordable housing, strengthen renter protections, increase access to down payment assistance for first-time homebuyers, and support policies that help working families stay in the communities they helped build,” she said in her response. “I also support investments in infrastructure and public transit that reduce transportation costs and improve quality of life throughout the Coachella Valley and surrounding communities.”
Byors, too, keyed in on affordability as a main campaign promise, which shows the importance of the topic.
“I will support policies that create good-paying jobs, encourage responsible economic growth, and ease the financial burden on working families,” he said in a written answer. “Additionally, I will prioritize improving access to healthcare. That means making sure seniors, veterans, Medi-Cal recipients, and working families can get timely, affordable care without unnecessary barriers.”
Wallis has won two straight close elections. In his first run for the Assembly in 2022, he beat Palm Springs Councilmember Christy Holstege by just 85 votes. In a rematch against Holstege in 2024, he won by a wider margin, but still only captured 51% of the vote.
Tuesday’s election may be a preview of how the electorate will vote during November’s general election.
By fundraising standards, Wallis leads by a wide margin. He has raised $319,078.85 since the beginning of the year, compared to Namvar’s $131,613.32 and Byors’ $102,525.00. Wallis has also outspent Namvar’s, $106,596.86 by around $80,000. Byors has only spent $11,355.00 since Jan. 1, according to the state’s campaign finance records.
The top two vote-getters in Tuesday’s primary election, regardless of party, will go on to face each other in November’s general election even if someone gets more than 50% of the vote.
Sam Morgen covers local government for The Desert Sun. Reach him at smorgen@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: California Assembly election results as Democrats aim at Greg Wallis
Reporting by Sam Morgen, Palm Springs Desert Sun / Palm Springs Desert Sun
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