LAKEPORT, Calif. – A longtime Lake County supervisor said he is running for a seat in the state Assembly.
Anthony Farrington, 43, will seek the Fourth District Assembly seat in the 2014 election, when Assemblymember Mariko Yamada is termed out. He is a registered Democrat.
He’s the first to announce for the race. “I predict it’s going to be a very competitive seat.”
Farrington said he has formed a committee and plans to begin holding fundraiser events early this summer. The California Secretary of State’s Office campaign finance page shows that the Farrington for Assembly 2014 committee is active for the 2013-14 election cycle.
He said it’s estimated that he will need about $300,000 for a primary run and another $300,000 if he makes it to the runoff.
Farrington, now in his fourth term on the Board of Supervisors, took office in 2001. His current term on the board ends in 2016.
He holds an associate’s degree from Mendocino College and a bachelor’s degree in international relations from the University of California, Davis.
He worked in the water rights program for the Regional Council of Rural Counties – or RCRC, now known as Rural County Representatives of California – and also was a staffer for a time with the Lake County Office of Education, working with at-risk children in middle schools.
More recently, he received his law degree from Concord Law School and passed the state bar exam last May. State Attorney General Kamala Harris administered his oath of admission to the State Bar of California.
In addition to his supervisorial duties, Farrington is practicing civil law, primarily taking personal injury, family and constitutional cases.
The recently redrawn Fourth District includes all of Lake and Napa counties, and portions of Yolo, Colusa, Solano and Sonoma counties, he explained.
Farrington’s family has called Lake County home for nearly 160 years, but he said that he’s also at various times called other portions of the Fourth District home, having also lived in Yolo, Colusa and Napa counties.
“That’s another thing that made me evaluate this district as a good fit,” said Farrington, explaining he has ties to each of those communities.
Farrington said that for years he’s been encouraged by supporters to seek higher office.
He said he believes it’s important that voters have an opportunity to vote for somebody with a track record of solutions at the local level, who doesn’t make promises they can’t keep.
Farrington said he is not tied directly to Sacramento or the political machine, and is dedicated to public service, which is his motivation for running.
He said he is able to reach across the aisle and deal with members of the Republican Party.
“I’m also walking down the aisle with a Republican,” he said.
Farrington lovingly refers to fiancée Jacquelyn St. Martin as “the Texas Republican.”
The couple, who have been together for three years, will be married on April 29, the one-year anniversary of their engagement, he said.
St. Martin brings not just Texas charm, beauty and intelligence to the match, but expertise in the wine industry. She has certifications from the International Sommelier Guild and currently works for Six Sigma Ranch and Winery in Lower Lake, promoting the ranch’s signature wines and events.
“She’s very supportive of my candidacy,” and has been key to Farrington considering a run for higher office, he said.
Among the main issues facing the Fourth District right now are the economy and the need to create a good environment for businesses to succeed and thrive, Farrington said.
He said support for agriculture and understanding its role in the economy – including that of the wine industry – is of utmost importance.
Another critical issue is water, especially with the state now talking about shipping water south in dual tunnels, he said.
There also is the matter of infrastructure, with Farrington explaining that the state has lost its way when it comes to providing water, sewer and road facilities.
“Investing in infrastructure is not politically expedient,” he said, explaining that by the time money is appropriated, environmental studies are conducted and projects completed, there are different politicians at the ribbon cutting.
“Most politicians are looking for quick fixes,” he said.
Farrington added, “I really believe the state needs to focus on core services,” including education, safeguarding the environment, being business friendly, access to health care, and tax reform and reallocation.
On the latter points, Farrington wants to see the lion’s share of money returned to local government, as he believes local leaders are best equipped to make decisions about how funds should be spent for their communities.
“That’s my major platform, which probably won’t be popular with Sacramento politicians,” he said.
Farrington is proud of his accomplishments on the Board of Supervisors, including balancing the budget for 12 years. During that time he’s also been the board’s delegate to the California State Association of Counties and is the county’s representative to RCRC.
He said it’s important for Assembly members to be accessible and provide solutions. Farrington said he wouldn’t be poll-driven.
If elected Farrington wouldn’t be the first Lake County resident to serve in the state Legislature; there’s been at least one other.
Republican Burt W. Busch of Lakeport, Lake County’s district attorney from 1931 to 1946, served in the state Senate from 1947 to 1955, according to an interview he did with the University of California, Berkeley’s Bancroft Library Regional Oral History Office.
In 2002 Farrington’s colleagues on the board, Rob Brown and Ed Robey, both sought an Assembly seat. Robey didn’t make it past the primary, but Brown won the Republican nomination and ran against Patty Berg, who managed to win after an energetic race.
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