Parent running to represent 79th Assembly District in 2024 election
La Mesa Vice Mayor Colin Parent announced that he will be running to represent the 79th Assembly District in the 2024 election.
The incumbent, Assemblymember Dr. Akilah Weber, has officially announced her campaign for State Senate in the 39th District.
Parent has served as a La Mesa councilmember for six years, having been first elected in 2016.
“I am excited to announce my candidacy to represent the people of District 79,” Parent stated. “I believe that public policy has the power to improve people’s lives, and that elected officials have an obligation to be clear-eyed about what’s not working. Today, a lot of things aren’t working, and people are continuing to struggle. The California State Assembly is the best place for me to use my experience and knowledge to push for better outcomes for our communities. If elected to the State Assembly, I will be a fierce and effective advocate for our region. I’ve never been afraid to speak truth to power, and to call for change where it’s needed.”
Parent has been endorsed by local Assemblymembers David Alvarez, Chris Ward, and Tasha Boerner Horvath. Parent was born and raised in San Diego County and graduated from Valhalla High School. He received his Bachelors from the University of California, San Diego followed by his Juris Doctorate from the NYU School of Law. Over the last two decades, he served in the Jerry Brown administration as the director of external affairs for the California Department of Housing and Community Development, and as the Director of Policy at the San Diego Housing Commission.
Currently, he works as the CEO and general counsel for Circulate San Diego, a nonprofit that advocates for public transit, safe walkable neighborhoods, and affordable homes.