Longtime affordable housing advocate Jill Martinez (pictured)
announced her candidacy for the 24th Congressional District;
Martinez will run as a Democrat against Republican Elton Gallegly,
the staunchly conservative 19-year incumbent from Simi Valley. The
boundaries of Gallegly’s district were radically redrawn during the
most recent re-apportionment, giving Democrats more than a fighting
chance for the first time in decades. In his new district, Gallegly
represents much of inland Santa Barbara County — Vandenberg,
Lompoc, and the Santa Ynez Valley — as well as his traditional turf
in Ventura County. An ordained Presbyterian minister, Martinez
explained she was running because she saw a crisis in jobs,
housing, education, and healthcare. “I couldn’t sit back anymore
and assume someone else was going to take care of it,” Martinez
said, adding that she was encouraged to run by Illinois Congressman
Ronald Emmanuel, chair of the Democratic Central Campaign
Committee. Other Democrats entering the fray include peace activist
Brett Wagner — who has opposed Gallegly twice before — and
Democratic Party activist Mary Pallant of Oak Park

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