In the Nov. 3 general election, voters in California's 13th Assembly District will choose their next representative.
The race features incumbent Assemblymember Rhodesia Ransom and challenger Tom Patti, a business owner who served eight years on the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors.
Assembly District 13 encompasses western San Joaquin County, including Tracy, Stockton and surrounding communities. The district has a population of 489,925, according to 2020 Census data.
Members of the California Assembly serve two-year terms. California legislators are subject to a lifetime limit of 12 years of service in the Legislature, whether in the Assembly, Senate or a combination of both.
Ransom has served as the District 13 representative since 2024.
Tom Patti
Patti told the Stockton Record he's running to represent Assembly District 13 because — despite eight years as a county supervisor — he believes "(his) job is not done," particularly when it comes to the economy.
Patti said jobs are leaving California while cost of living has escalated, and he blames that on government regulations, fees, fraud and waste.
"When you look at the California Environmental Quality Act, and you look at the environmental impact reports and all of the mandates that come from the government red-tape, regulation, restrictions and requirements, that just adds to the cost of building, selling, renting and trying to buy anything that's affordable," Patti said.
These regulations, Patti said, have resulted in business owners leaving the state.
"They're not leaving because welfare benefits have been cut off. They're employed, they are business, they are the employers that are taking jobs away," Patti said. "That has an incredible impact on communities and the finances that help make the community prosper."
Patti cited Assembly Bill 2624 as an example of what he views as government overreach. The measure allows immigration support services providers, employees and volunteers to shield their home addresses from public records and restricts the online posting of their personal information when done with the intent to incite violence.
Patti claims that AB 2624 makes it a felony to investigate fraud and government waste.
But the law, as noted in the Legislative Counsel's Digest, creates protections for the personal information of eligible participants who may fear for their safety and allows for civil penalties in cases of intentional posting.
Patti said he believes he's qualified for Assembly because he's a business person who has "signed the front of a check" and understands that "time is money." He also believes he's qualified because he understands that "results matter."
"I delivered as a county supervisor because I'm willing to challenge the status quo. When programs didn't work, I took a deep dive," Patti said. "I brought those same ideas to San Joaquin County in public-private partnerships for housing, veteran services, we did it for homelessness, and the '1,000 jobs for 1,000 students' I brought to Delta College."
"1,000 jobs for 1,000 students" refers to an initiative spearheaded by Patti which allocated $500,000 of county monies to Delta College's Excel internship program in 2024.
Patti was censured by the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors in 2022 for violating the county's code of ethics, though the censure was later rescinded by the board as Patti left office in 2024.
Patti owns the Stockton-based crane company Delta Cranes. Notably, Patti was formerly the manager and coach of professional boxer Mike Tyson.
Rhodesia Ransom
Ransom said she's running for reelection to state Assembly because she loves serving her community.
"I believe that our community needs an effective leader who listens to their concerns and delivers results," she added.
Ransom said her top priorities in another term would be affordability, education and workforce, and "cutting red tape" so that people can access the benefits the government has to offer.
Ransom also has some ideas for how to achieve these goals.
One idea that Ransom has had in the works since February is a proposal that would allow Californians to use a cheaper form of gasoline called E-85.
According to Ransom, E-85 is a fuel blend legal in all 50 states that costs $2 less per gallon than the average unleaded gas. Where California law differs from the 49 other states, though, is that it has a "rule that will not let people convert their cars to be able to take (E-85)."
Ransom authored Assembly Bill 2046 which would change that rule, permitting Californians to take advantage of this cheaper form of fuel. The bill is currently being held under submission, and Ransom said she has plans to bring it back for discussion.
Ransom also said she wants to "make sure that we're holding public utilities accountable" by preventing utility rate hikes from exceeding the rate of inflation.
"If our money's not going up, our PG&E bills should not be going up either," Ransom said.
Ransom pointed to her actions on the Assembly as examples of her attention to issues specifically impacting District 13.
Ransom requested the audit of and sat on the audit committee for the Delta Conveyance Project, which resulted in the project being shut down. She also authored the Golden Muscle Response Act, which was signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom on Sep. 29.
"I've been working very effectively in a bipartisan way. I've been able to get the things done and stay focused on the issues that the people are concerned about," Ransom said. "There are a lot of false things that are being said about different policies that have been passed, and some of those bills, people should read for themselves because the things that are being said are not even true."
An example that Ransom gave is the claim that AB 2624 was designed "to stop journalists from investigating fraud."
"(It) has nothing to do with journalists, nothing to do with fraud, there are no felonies. They're calling it the 'Stop Nick Shirley Act' when the bill has nothing to do with a podcaster on social media," Ransom said. "It has everything to do with making sure that people who are serving immigrant communities can do so safely."
Drew Askeland covers Stockton and San Joaquin County government issues, as well as anything else that needs reporting for the Stockton Record and USA Today Network. Reach him at daskeland@gannett.com or (530) 225-8247. Please subscribe today to support our newsroom's commitment to public service journalism.
This article originally appeared on The Record: Rhodesia Ransom faces Tom Patti in Assembly District 13 race
