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Marysville Councilwoman Christina Billeci has filed paperwork with the California Secretary of State's office to run in the Democratic primary next year for the Third Assembly District.
If she follows through, Billeci, 60, would be running against Magalia resident, union representative and unsuccessful Assembly candidate Mickey Harrington for the Democratic nomination — and the opportunity to unseat Assemblyman Dan Logue, R-Linda, in the 2010 general election.
“The state government is dysfunctional,” said Billeci, who retired earlier this year from a 31-year tenure working for Yuba County, the last 25 as public guardian.
“I've shown leadership skills on the council, and I think I can provide them in the Assembly. To me, its about leadership, not politics.”
Billeci, a city council member since 2000 and a Yuba County resident since 1972, said she knows Harrington and considers him a nice man, but wouldn't speculate on a possible race against him.
Harrington, a former Pacific Gas & Electric Co. worker and long-time union leader, said he is planning a third run, after losing to then-Assemblyman Rick Keene, R-Chico, in 2006 and to Logue for an open Third District Assembly seat last year.
“It'll be a challenge against Logue whether it's me or her, but I think I have a better chance than she does of beating him,” said Harrington, 69.
Harrington said his optimism stems from Republicans who are also union members he once represented.
Billeci, too, said she thinks crossover support would give her the victory. “I have a lot of Republicans who are going to be supporting me,” she said. “It's a swing district.”
She said she plans to formally announce her entry into the race after Labor Day, with the primary set for next June.
Both Billeci and Harrington have optimism for a race many Democrats believe can be won, based on voter registration numbers from May 4 showing Republicans with 40.2 percent in the district and Democrats with 34.8 percent. Decline-to-state voters make up 19 percent, and many Democrats believe those voters are more likely to side with their party in a general election.
Logue, however, said such thinking flies in the face of how Third District voters have cast ballots in the past.
“I've actively opposed the Barack Obama, Nancy Pelosi, Karen Bass style of government, and that's higher taxes, more government, and government-run health care,” he said. “I oppose those are issues that my opponents would support, and voters in the Third District have consistently opposed those issues.”
He added the region has never elected a Democrat to office.
If she follows through, Billeci, 60, would be running against Magalia resident, union representative and unsuccessful Assembly candidate Mickey Harrington for the Democratic nomination — and the opportunity to unseat Assemblyman Dan Logue, R-Linda, in the 2010 general election.
“The state government is dysfunctional,” said Billeci, who retired earlier this year from a 31-year tenure working for Yuba County, the last 25 as public guardian.
“I've shown leadership skills on the council, and I think I can provide them in the Assembly. To me, its about leadership, not politics.”
Billeci, a city council member since 2000 and a Yuba County resident since 1972, said she knows Harrington and considers him a nice man, but wouldn't speculate on a possible race against him.
Harrington, a former Pacific Gas & Electric Co. worker and long-time union leader, said he is planning a third run, after losing to then-Assemblyman Rick Keene, R-Chico, in 2006 and to Logue for an open Third District Assembly seat last year.
“It'll be a challenge against Logue whether it's me or her, but I think I have a better chance than she does of beating him,” said Harrington, 69.
Harrington said his optimism stems from Republicans who are also union members he once represented.
Billeci, too, said she thinks crossover support would give her the victory. “I have a lot of Republicans who are going to be supporting me,” she said. “It's a swing district.”
She said she plans to formally announce her entry into the race after Labor Day, with the primary set for next June.
Both Billeci and Harrington have optimism for a race many Democrats believe can be won, based on voter registration numbers from May 4 showing Republicans with 40.2 percent in the district and Democrats with 34.8 percent. Decline-to-state voters make up 19 percent, and many Democrats believe those voters are more likely to side with their party in a general election.
Logue, however, said such thinking flies in the face of how Third District voters have cast ballots in the past.
“I've actively opposed the Barack Obama, Nancy Pelosi, Karen Bass style of government, and that's higher taxes, more government, and government-run health care,” he said. “I oppose those are issues that my opponents would support, and voters in the Third District have consistently opposed those issues.”
He added the region has never elected a Democrat to office.
