Meet the Candidates : 37th Assembly District

Representing the 37th District for the last four years, Republican Assemblyman Nao Takasugi is seeking his last term allowed by voter-imposed term limits. He faces challenger Jess Herrera, a Democrat, in the Nov. 5 election. Nao Takasugi Age: 74 Occupation: Assemblyman Residence: Oxnard Party: Republican Education: Master’s degree in business administration from Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania; bachelor’s degree in accounting from Temple University Background: An Oxnard native, Takasugi ran a family market for 35 years. He was appointed to the Oxnard Planning Commission in 1974; elected to the City Council in 1976 and in the middle of his second term was elected mayor. He served as the city’s mayor for a decade. He was elected to the state Assembly in 1992 and this year was named chairman of the Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee. Issues: Takasugi promises to block any new taxes or tax hikes and pursue a cut in capital gains taxes. He wants to further reduce regulations on business and proceed with workers’ compensation reforms. He also wants to help boost California’s economy through business tax breaks and improve public schools with a pilot program to extend the scholastic year at Oxnard high schools. *Jess Herrera Age: 49 Occupation: Longshoreman, harbor commissioner Residence: Oxnard Party: Democrat Education: Associate of arts degree, Moorpark College Background: A lifelong Oxnard resident, Herrera has worked as a longshoreman since 1966 at the Port of Hueneme and Los Angeles Harbor. He spent eight years as executive officer of the International Longshoreman’s and Warehouseman’s Union, Local 46. In 1994, he was elected to a four-year term as an Oxnard harbor commissioner. He is a board member of the American Red Cross’ local chapter. Issues: Herrera vows to be accessible and accountable to his constituents, meeting with them often to reach consensus on how to fight drug abuse and crime and improve schools. He wants California contractors to get preference when bidding on public projects, so jobs remain in the state. He wants to restore cooperation in the Legislature, putting the people first, party politics second.