Pache.co Information Technologies

Five Democrats and one Republican are seeking a new, open Assembly District in Southeast Los Angeles County as votes are cast in a primary election concluding on Tuesday, June 7.

Democrats Elizabeth Alcantar, mayor of Cudahy; Roberto “Rob” Cancio, a Norwalk-La Mirada school board member; La Habra Councilwoman Rose Espinoza; Downey Mayor Blanca Pacheco; Norwalk Councilwoman Ana Valencia; and Republican Raul Ortiz, a pest control manager/pastor from La Mirada are in the running for two spots on the November ballot.

The Democrats appear to have the advantage in a district that’s nearly two-thirds Latino and has voter registration that favors Democrats by more than 30 points.

Meanwhile, political newcomer Ortiz Jr. is an ultra-conservative Republican running in one of the mostly solidly blue Assembly districts in Southern California. His advantage, in the short-term, might be math. The five viable Democratic candidates could divide the primary vote in a way that helps Ortiz finish as one of the top two vote-getters on June 7, meaning he could advance to the November general election, where the sole Democrat would be heavily favored to win.

Pacheco won the money war, spending nearly $325,000, while Cancio spent nearly $143,000, Alcantar spent about $127,000 Valencia, nearly $100,000 and Espinoza, nearly $12,000. Ortiz didn’t file electronically.

The California Democratic Party was unable to reach consensus on a candidate to back in the primary. Other Democratic leaders and organizations are largely dividing their support between Pacheco and Valencia.

All five Democrats have been elected locally either to city councils, school boards or both and all emphasized their experiences.

Meanwhile, Ortiz has been endorsed by the California Republican Assembly. He’s campaigning with a slate of GOP candidates calling themselves “You First,” with CA-38 challenger Eric Ching, SD-30 challenger Mitch Clemmons and AD-56 candidate Jessica Martinez making the rounds together to promote their campaigns at area churches and community events.

Homelessness was a hot issue at a candidates forum in Norwalk.

Candidates vowed to come up with money to provide wraparound services, a term meaning “child–focused, family-centered, strengths-based, needs-driven planning process, according to a definition on the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health website.

While there’s a clear ideological line between Ortiz and the other five AD-64 candidates, there also are significant distinctions for voters to parse among the Democrats.

On the question of single-payer healthcare, for example, Alcantar was the only one to say she supports the idea. Cancio and Pacheco said no.

When it comes to abortion rights, Alcantar, Cancio and Pacheco all said they strongly support a woman’s right to choose. Espinoza she “would support an abortion when the procedure is necessary for the life and health of the mother.