2024 Primary Election: Flora faces more challengers in the race for 9th Assembly District

Feb. 1—In the last three primary elections, Assemblyman Heath Flora has faced just one challenger for his seat, winning by more than 20% each time.

This year, however, the Ripon-based Republican will face two opponents in American-Independent candidate Tami Nobriga and Democrat write-in challenger Rosella Rowlison.

It will be the first time Flora has faced more than one candidate in the primary since 2016, when five vied for the seat.

Flora, 40, has lived in the 9th Assembly District his entire life and said it's been an honor to serve the community in Sacramento. He's hoping to continue fighting for its values for the next two years, if elected.

A farmer and business owner, Flora said his understanding of the needs and unique challenges in region set him apart from Rowlison and Nobriga.

"Over the last seven years I have built relationships across the state and educated my colleagues on the importance of our region," he said. "Continuing to build on these relationships and partnerships greatly benefits our communities and our region."

Flora believes the district's biggest need is an improved infrastructure, particularly when it comes to Highway 99 and Interstate 5, as well as building facilities that increase water storage capacity.

For more information, visit heathflora.com.

Rowlison, 50, is the first Galt resident to challenge Flora for his seat following the state's redistricting changes in 2022.

A Gilroy native, Rowlison has lived in Galt for 20 years and is a teacher at Galt High School.

Rowlison did not file for candidacy by the Dec. 8, 2023 deadline, but was able to secure a required 40 signatures to appear on the March 5 ballot as a write-in nominee earlier this month.

She said she decided to run as a a write-in candidate when she learned no Democrat was challenging the Republican incumbent.

"I want to offer the voters a moderate candidate who has a history of working collaboratively as an educator for the past 25 years," she said. "As someone who has taught economics for many years, I recognize the importance of our district's location in the Central Valley to our state's economy. I want to go to Sacramento to represent the interests of all constituents in the district."

Being an educator allows Rowlison to bring a different perspective of the district to residents, she said, and that sets her apart from her opponents in the race.

"As an educator, it is my responsibility to educate all students by taking a non-partisan approach, and as a result, I have provided a balanced perspective on issues," she said.

"And as an assembly member, it would be important to listen to the concerns of all district residents. Because of my collaborative style, I like to bring people together to create an atmosphere of working towards a common goal."

The district's biggest needs, she said, include affordable housing and water supply, the former of which is needed to keep families living in the Central Valley and not struggling with day-to-day living expenses.

To tackle water supply, Rowlison said the district must find a solution to capture rainfall to prevent flooding and support its agricultural industry.

If elected, Rowlison said she hopes to bring new funding to the district to support those needs.

"I plan to work with the cities and organizations in the district to learn about their concerns and represent their interests in Sacramento," she said. "I plan to advocate for constituents by securing resources and jobs in our district."

For more information, visit rosel

larowlison4assembly.com.

Nobriga, 64, is the latest Lodi resident to challenge Flora for his seat at the state capital.

An advertising and marketing consultant, Nobriga said she is tired of seeing the state waste away, and hopes to build a safe, beautiful and affordable environment for residents.

"My commitment is to investigate, listen with an open mind and act on all issues that impact our daily lives and our future," she said. "Our children's safety and our parental rights is my priority, I believe we need to protect our schools. I believe we can protect our borders, our constitution and our way of life."

Nobriga said she will fight for paper ballots and mandatory identification, and introduce tax breaks for landlords to lower rents for affordable housing.

She added that the state can lower gas and housing prices through "simple" legislation, as well as restore water reservoirs and clear out fire hazard areas.

"I am a mom, grandma, your friend, your neighbor and a Christian determined to restore our state back to its roots, a beautiful, safe and affordable community that people can come to legally and thrive," she said.