Meet the candidates for State Assembly District 42

Three candidates are vying for California’s 42nd Assembly District seat in the June 2 primary election, replacing incumbent Democrat Jacqui Irwin, who is term-limited and running for U.S. Representative in District 26. The district includes over 517,000 residents across east Ventura County and parts of Los Angeles County, such as Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley, and Malibu. The top two candidates will advance to the November general election. Democrat Deborah Klein Lopez, 58, currently serves as Mayor pro tem of Agoura Hills and has been on the city council since 2018. A Northwestern University graduate with degrees in mathematical methods in the social sciences and economics, she prioritizes economic mobility and quality of life improvements. Her plans include expanding workforce development, reducing utility costs through community choice energy programs, and addressing affordable housing and healthcare access. She also opposes private-equity takeovers of medical practices and aims to lower healthcare costs while protecting civil rights and democracy. Republican Ted Nordblum, 61, owns a medical supply company and has no prior elected experience. His top priority is public safety, with a focus on funding Proposition 36, which aims to address crime in California. Nordblum holds a high school diploma and an associate’s degree in constructional engineering. His campaign website highlights his commitment to law enforcement and community safety initiatives. The third candidate’s details were not fully provided in the source, but all three will compete in the June 2 primary, with the winner determined by the top two vote-getters. The district’s diverse population—spanning urban and suburban areas—will play a key role in shaping the outcome of this election.