Kate Bradshaw

_{Left to right, from first to second rows: The candidates seeking to represent District 13 in the state Senate are Josh Becker, Mike Brownrigg, Alex Glew, Sally Lieber, Shelly Masur, Annie Oliva and John Webster. Photos by Magali Gauthier.}

By Kate Bradshaw

February 3, 2020

On March 3, and in the weeks leading up to it, the voters of California’s 13th Senate district will have a tough task. With seven candidates vying to become the district’s next Senate lawmaker, voters will decide which two will move on to the November general election ballot.

And that election will determine who will represent an area that has a vibrant population of nearly 1 million and is home to many of Silicon Valley’s largest companies. The Senate seat is now held by former San Mateo County Supervisor Jerry Hill, who is being termed out of office.

The candidate pool offers voters five Democrats, a Republican and a Libertarian, though their perspectives, when it comes to how they would tackle the issues facing the region, are more nuanced than party lines might suggest.

They have unique areas of expertise and policy goals that they aim to take with them to Sacramento, based on past career, civic, nonprofit or philanthropic efforts.

These are among the top priorities of each candidate:

Josh Becker, a Democrat from Menlo Park, wants to help California become a national and international leader in environmental innovation.

Michael Brownrigg, a Democrat from Burlingame, wants to take up the fight for an inclusive brand of local control that permits community growth.

Alex Glew, a Republican from Los Altos, wants to push the government to invest in infrastructure and get back to the basics of doing things people can’t do for themselves.

Sally Lieber, a Democrat from Mountain View, wants to dig into anti-poverty policymaking in support of society’s underdogs.

Shelly Masur, a Democrat from Redwood City, wants to tackle school funding problems and expand affordable health care access.

Annie Oliva, a Democrat from Millbrae, spurred by a family member’s experiences on the streets, wants to end homelessness in California.

And John Webster, a Libertarian from Mountain View, wants the government to get out of the way and let the free market dictate community outcomes.

Under California’s “top-two” primary system, the two candidates with the most votes, regardless of party, will advance to the general election on Nov. 3.

Read more at paloaltoonline.com.