Romero Challenges Gallegos in Race for Sen. Solis’ Seat

State Assemblywoman Gloria Romero (D-Alhambra) said Tuesday that she will run for the San Gabriel Valley’s 24th state Senate seat of Democrat Hilda Solis, who is on her way to Congress.

Romero’s decision sets the stage for a fight that illustrates the shifting landscape created by term limits in California. The Solis seat was all but promised to another, more experienced, Latino candidate: Assemblyman Martin Gallegos (D-Baldwin Park), who is completing his third and final term.

The old rule of allowing first chance to the candidate with the most experience no longer applies under term limits. State politicians in both parties now must think two elections ahead--to what office they can move to next.

How that plays out for voters in the 24th district--which stretches from Azusa to Hacienda Heights to parts of East Los Angeles--depends on whom you talk to.

Some complain term limits are depriving voters of experience, while creating unhealthy animosity inside both parties. Others, particularly those who watch Latino politics, say it allows for more voter enthusiasm and sophistication.

Voters in the San Gabriel Valley saw those arguments play out in March, when Solis defeated the 18-year incumbent, U.S. Rep. Matthew G. Martinez, for the 31st Congressional District seat. Solis’s victory showed that Latinos can challenge one another in search of better representation, according to those who followed the race.

The dynamics are different for Romero and Gallegos, who are joined in their bid to replace Solis by Democrat La Puente Councilwoman Sally Holguin Fallon.

Romero and Gallegos are considered successful legislators among their colleagues, sharing such core issues as health care reform, better education and fixing local environmental problems.

They will be competing in a predominantly Latino district that is split between the working and middle classes. They must also appeal to ethnic groups, including Asian Americans, for instance, who make up 29% of the about 800,000 residents in the district.

Gallegos, chairman of the Assembly health committee, is considered a moderate, while Romero styles herself as an activist, observers say.

“This is about leadership,” said Romero, who has two years’ experience as a state lawmaker, compared with Gallegos’s six years.

Citing her resume as a Cal State L.A. psychology professor and Los Angeles Community College District trustee, she said: “When you talk about experience, we’re not only talking about being in the Legislature.

“The desire behind term limits was to bring more citizens into the process,” she said. “People are tired of career politicians.”

Gallegos said: “If you look at our overall records, you’ll see that I’ve paid my dues. I have seniority. I think that means something to voters.”

So far, endorsements for either candidate are stacking up behind those arguments, though several Latino legislators are not yet willing to publicly take sides.