LAGUNA NIGUEL : Bates to Run for New Assembly Seat
After weeks of testing the political waters, Laguna Niguel Councilwoman Patricia C. Bates has announced that she will seek a seat in the new 73rd Assembly District in South County.
Bates, a Republican, had been assessing her political support for weeks. She filed the necessary election papers at the county registrar of voters office Tuesday.
Bates, 52, who served as Laguna Niguel’s first mayor, said she made the decision to seek higher office after learning that her candidacy would have strong support in the new district.
“I have just really had a lot of support from my grass-roots committee,” Bates said. “They’re already in the stages of a grass-roots fund-raiser and they are organizing on their own.”
When Laguna Niguel incorporated in 1989, Bates received more votes than 22 other candidates in a race for one of five City Council seats.
The 73rd Assembly District was created when the state Supreme Court approved a redistricting map last month. Dana Point Mayor Mike Eggers is among the other candidates vying for the new Assembly seat.
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