Sanders unfazed as opponent snags party endorsement

Noreen Evans, the three-time Assembly member now running for state senator, has been officially endorsed by the California Democratic Party. The news came as no surprise to her local opponent, Sonoma City Council member Joanne Sanders.

“It was a forgone conclusion,” she told The Sun. “As expected, the activists in the Democratic Party supported another Sacramento insider for State Senate.

The two seek the Democratic nomination for the State Senate seat held by Pat Wiggins, who is not running for reelection. The 2nd Senate District includes portions or all of six counties: Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino, Napa, Solano and Sonoma.

“Our party leaders recognize the work that I’ve done in the State Assembly and they have made a clear statement that they want me to continue fighting for Democratic values as our State Senator,” said Evans in a statement.  “As a tried and true Democrat, I will be proud to carry the Democratic Party endorsement in this election.”

Sanders has said that it’s party politics that have paralyzed the state economy. “If we keep electing the same people, we’ll keep getting the same results.”

Sanders said that “as a local city council member and small businesswoman, I have a completely different perspective from a sitting Assemblymember like Noreen Evans on what needs to be done to shake up Sacramento. I wouldn’t expect anything other than the status quo from Assemblymember Evans – or the Democratic Party.”

With the June 8 primary less than two months away, Sanders said her campaign is “roaring along. We’re in full swing.”