Three Candidates Seek State Assembly Seat

Three candidates are running for the reconfigured state Assembly District 8 seat- Ken Cooley, Barbara Ortega and .

The three are running in District 8, which covers eastern Sacramento County, including Carmichael, Rosemont, Citrus Heights, Rancho Cordova and Arden Arcade.

Cooley, a Democrat, is a Rancho Cordova city councilman.

"People feel like we're suffering from (political) gridlock," Cooley said at a . "Part of seeing economic success hinges on a legislature that works."

The Sacramento Bee endorsed Cooley.

"In Rancho Cordova, we dealt with the economy during the closure of Mather Air Force Base," he said. "My record is one of a collaborative approach to public service."

Ortega is a Republican small businesswoman.

"I'm running because I believe it's important to have someone who can win as a Republican in November," she said. "I want to focus on business economic development and job creation (and get away from) an overdependence on state government and construction jobs."

Tateishi, the Republican chief of staff to (R-Gold River), is a Carmichael native and alum.

"I'm a candidate who has bipartisan support," Tateishi said at the candidates fourm at Rio. "We have to make sure California is a viable state for children to grow up, find a job and raise their families."

The Bee also endorsed Tateishi.

"At the end of the day I feel I am the candidate who has worked for this district, I've worked with leaders in the community," he said. "I feel that gives me he knowledge to represent the people of this district at the State Capitol."

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KEN COOLEY

Age: 59

Experience: Rancho Cordova city councilman and former mayor, former vice chairman with California State Seismic Safety Commission, worked at State Farm Insurance.

Lives in: Rancho Cordova since 1977

Education: Bachelors degree in political science, University of California, Berkeley; law degree, University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law.

Family: wife Sydney

BARBARA ORTEGA

Age: 60

Experience:Co-owner of POW Group; former director of business development  and strategic programs, Abbott Laboratories; director and vice president of the California Manufacturers & Technology Association; director of legislative affairs at the United States Chamber of Commerce.

Lives in: Sacramento

Education: Bachelors degrees in political science and communications, Chapman College; graduate work at Stanford University and California State University, Sacramento.

Family: husband David, two adult children, Charlie and Sarah, and two grandchildren.

PETER TATEISHI

Age: 31

Experience: Chief of staff for U.S. Rep. Dan Lungren, former Carmichael honorary mayor, Carmichael Recreation and Parks District Foundation founder and chief executive officer, served on Carmichael-Old Foothill Farms planning advisory council.

LIVES IN: Carmichael

EDUCATION: 1998 graduate of Jesuit High School; bachelor's degree in government from California State University, Sacramento; master's degree in public administration from the University of Southern California

FAMILY: wife Anna Feliz, daughter Victoria, 11 months

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