Update: State Lists Mary England as Nonpartisan in 79th Assembly Race

Updated at 5:20 p.m. March 27, 2012

When Mary England, the Lemon Grove councilwoman and La Mesa Chamber of Commerce CEO, submitted paperwork to the state as a candidate for state Assembly, she checked “nonpartisan.”

England apparently made a mistake—although it won’t affect how she’s listed on the June ballot.

She was recruited for the race by Republican state Sen. Joel Anderson and Assemblyman Brian Jones, she told Patch in January.

According to an online database of candidate declarations, England is one of eight candidates in the newly redrawn 79th Assembly District. But a ballot posted by the county shows England as being Republican—and one of six hopefuls. (See attached PDF.) Another Secretary of State reference lists England as Republican.

Shannan Velayas, a spokeswoman for Secretary of State Debra Bowen, said her office is a filing agency for paperwork of the state Fair Political Practices Commission, and England’s candidacy intention statement, or Form 501, shows her as nonpartisan.

So the only Republican candidate in the 79th District listed on the declaration website is Matt Mendoza, a Lemon Grove native and 1976 graduate of Mount Miguel High School who calls himself a manager of operations for a multibillion-dollar aerospace company.

At her campaign kickoff event in early February, England conceded the new district’s leftward slant but said she would seek endorsements from Democrats. Democrats lead Republicans 43 percent to 29 percent in party registration in the district, according to online reports.

County Registrar of Voters Deborah Seiler said Tuesday that England has been a registered Republican since 1996—and still is listed as GOP on the county rolls.

When England filed her disclosures with the state, she checked the “nonpartisan” box, Seiler confirmed, but noted that a candidate can’t run as nonpartisan while being registered to vote as a Republican.

Responding to an email inquiry, England said Tuesday: “I’m a registered Republican and have been virtually my entire adult life.  I’m running as a Republican in the 79^th Assembly primary.”

Separately, England reported her fundraising for the first 3½ months of the year, saying she had taken in $23,334 and spent $6,258 as of March 17.

By comparison, her four Democratic rivals have raised a combined $153,000.

The leading Democrat in fundraising is Sid Voorakkara ($56,465), followed by Shirley Weber ($51,487), Rudy Ramirez ($40,395) and Patricia “Pat” Washington ($5,400).

England’s biggest financial backers, according to a state database, were Assemblyman Jones ($3,900), herself (also $3,900), the Sycuan Indian band ($2,000), EMS Management LLC of Greenwood Village, CO, ($2,000) and EDCO Disposal Corp. of Lemon Grove ($1,500).

England's ex-huband, Dennis, donated $1,000 to her campaign. La Mesa Councilwoman Ruth Sterling and San Miguel district Fire Chief Augie Ghio contributed $100 each, according to online records.

And Kathleen Coates Hedberg, a member of the Helix Water District board, gave England $200, records show.

Meanwhile, county Supervisor Dianne Jacob announced she is backing England for the 79th State Assembly District seat.  

“I am happy to endorse Mary England for Assembly,” Jacob said in a statement Tuesday.  “I have worked with Mary for over 15 years and know her leadership for business in this region, her strong commitment to our community and her willingness to work with colleagues on important projects.”

For her part, England said: “I am honored to have Supervisor Jacob’s endorsement. Her immense popularity and her reputation as a passionate advocate for the residents of the 2nd Supervisorial District make her support especially meaningful.”

Jacob, serving her fifth term on the Board of Supervisors, represents a district that covers more than 2,000 square miles and includes the cities of Poway, El Cajon, La Mesa, Lemon Grove and Santee, the City of San Diego communities of Allied Gardens, Del Cerro, Grantville, San Carlos, and Rolando, as well as a broad swath of unincorporated communities in East County.

Jacob added:  “I am quite certain that Mary will bring that same approach to her work in the state capitol.  She will be a great Assemblymember.”

The 79th Assembly District includes the cities of La Mesa and Lemon Grove, the community of Bonita, portions of the city of Chula Vista and the city of San Diego neighborhoods of San Carlos, Del Cerro, Allied Gardens, Grantville, Webster, Skyline, Encanto, Paradise Hills and Mission Valley.