Statement from Assemblywoman Suzette Martinez Valladares
Santa Clarita, CA (November 30, 2022) – Statement from Assemblywoman Suzette Martinez Valladares (R-Santa Clarita) conceding the race for the newly drawn 40th Assembly District seat.
I have been truly blessed to represent the people of the former 38th Assembly District in the California State Assembly. First, I want to say thank you to my family, the voters, my incredible Assembly staff and campaign team, and my supporters.
We began this journey in the middle of a pandemic, sponsoring COVID clinics, delivering for this wonderful community and helping thousands of local workers and families get needed EDD assistance. We passed meaningful legislation against all odds and fought hard for the issues that needed a strong voice.
We knew that when we were drawn into a district where President Biden won by sixteen points and Democrats hold a thirteen-point registration advantage, this would be a next to impossible task. But our future, my family’s future, and California’s future is too important to leave to those that want to take us in the wrong direction.
Against all odds only a few hundred votes separate my opponent and me. I am extremely honored by the confidence of so many Republican, Democratic and independent voters. Ours is a great electoral system. However, there are not enough remaining votes for me to close that small gap, and so I must concede this election.
I am extraordinarily proud of the issue-based campaign we ran, our constituent services over the past two years, and the friendships I’ve built. As they say in team sports, we left everything on the court, but this day was not ours.
I congratulate my opponent, Pilar Schiavo. My district team will be working with the incoming Assemblymember to ensure that she has the resources needed to continue serving the people of this great community.
Like it reads in the old hymn, “It is well with my soul.”
I look forward to what the future holds and to continuing to fight for those things that need fighters.
