California primary election 2024: Meet the District 21 state Senate candidates
Editor's note: This story is one in a series on the March 5 primary election. For more coverage, visit vcstar.com/elections.
Two candidates are running in the March 5 primary for state Senate District 21.
Incumbent Monique Limón, D-Santa Barbara, faces Republican Elijah Mack, a university student and activist.
Senate District 21 incorporates Santa Barbara County and parts of San Luis Obispo and Ventura counties, including Ventura, Santa Paula, Fillmore, Piru, Oxnard, Port Hueneme and Camarillo. The district represents about a million residents.
After the 2020 redistricting cycle, Senate District 21 became mainly the region previously mapped under Senate District 19, which Limón currently represents. Under California's primary system, both candidates are expected to advance to the Nov. 5 general election.
The Star sent an online questionnaire to the candidates. Here are their responses, edited for clarity and length.
Monique Limón, Democratic candidate for California state Senate District 21
Occupation: State senator
Age: 44
Political party: Democratic
City of residence: Santa Barbara (unincorporated)
Public service: State Senate 2020-present; state Assembly 2016-2020; Santa Barbara Unified School District trustee 2010-2016
Postsecondary education: Bachelor's degree in sociology, UC Berkeley; master's degree in education, Columbia University
Campaign website: www.moniquelimonforsenate.com
Share up to three top campaign issues in a short list: Economy, environment and health.
In 100 words or less, explain your reason for running for office: I am an experienced elected leader and educator who has a record of working on behalf of the Central Coast and a proven ability to build broad coalitions and support for issues advancing the quality of life in our region.
Elijah Mack, Republican candidate for California state Senate District 21
Occupation: University student and activist
Age: 19
Political party: Republican
City of residence: Santa Barbara
Public service: None
Postsecondary education: Pursing a bachelor's degree in political science, Liberty University
Share up to three top campaign issues in a short list: Free markets, wild nature and lifestyle liberty
In 100 words or less, explain your reason for running for office: It's clear that California needs a new paradigm in political leadership; one that values liberty over control, nature over destruction, and strong communities over bloated government. I want to fight for a California where our streets are safe, our housing is affordable, our markets are competitive, our local businesses thrive, our wild nature is protected and our people live free.
California primary election 2024 information
Primary election voting officially began on Feb. 5, when the county registrar sent vote-by-mail ballots to all registered voters and opened up early voting at the county government center. Voting will continue through March 5.
By mail: Submit your mail-in ballot in a mailbox between Feb. 5 - March 5.
Drop off: Drop off your mail-in ballot at a county voting center or in one of the county's 38 official ballot drop boxes between Feb. 5 - March 5.
In person: The county will open 11 voting centers for in person voting beginning Feb. 24, then open all 52 from March 2-5. Hours for all centers are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., except Election Day, when they run from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Early in person: Vote early in-person beginning Feb. 5 at the Ventura County Elections Division office on the bottom floor of the county's Hall of Administration, 800 S. Victoria Ave., Ventura.
Voter registration deadlines: Online or through mail by Feb. 20 and in person only from Feb. 21-March 5.
Check registration status: voterstatus.sos.ca.gov
Learn more: venturavote.org
Latest election news: vcstar.com/elections
Dua Anjum is an investigative and watchdog reporter for the Ventura County Star. Reach her at dua.anjum@vcstar.com. This story was made possible by a grant from the Ventura County Community Foundation's Fund to Support Local Journalism.
This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Election 2024: California District 21 state Senate candidates
