Chronicle Editorial Endorses Mark Green for Assembly

While the race for the 20th California State Assembly District seat isn't as entertaining as , at least one major Bay Area news outlet is paying attention to our Assembly race, singling out Union City Mayor Mark Green as the candidate to watch.

In a Sunday editorial, the San Francisco Chronicle praised Green for being an experienced politician. Green, who's served as Union City's mayor since 1993, has also served as a president of the Association of Bay Area Governments and was a county transportation commissioner, making him knowledgeable on regional issues.

The Chronicle wrote:

His track record and unaligned politics make him instantly prepared for the challenges in Sacramento such as balancing an out-of-whack state budget, shaving down pension costs and spanning a partisan political chasm.

The newspaper also noted Green's party affiliation and dubbed him a "feisty independent," though Green was a longtime Democrat before changing parties in 2010.

Green is the sole independent in the race. Running against him are three democrats -- Hayward Councilman Bill Quirk, Hayward resident and Alameda optometrist Jennifer Ong, New Haven Unified School District board member Sarabjit Cheema -- and republican Luis Reynoso, a Hayward Unified School District trustee.

The Contra Costa Times, however, endorses Quirk for the Assembly seat. They write:

We opt for Quirk in part because of the more effective leadership he and his city have shown controlling employee benefit costs.

Which candidate would you support? Tell us in the comments below.

Read the Chronicle editorial here.

See the Contra Costa Times' endorsements here.