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BenitoLink sent five questions regarding San Benito County to the two candidates for the 29th Assembly District seat: the Speaker of the Assembly, incumbent Robert Rivas, and his challenger, James “JW” Paine, both of whom also ran in 2024.
In the nonpartisan primary for California State Assembly District 29 on March 5, 2024, Rivas received 40,756 votes to Paine’s 22,145. In the November 5, 2024, General Election, Rivas again defeated Paine 99,600 votes to 51,291.
Robert Rivas, 46, has represented Assembly District 29 since 2018 and became Assembly speaker in June 2023. He grew up in Paicines and now lives with his wife and children in Hollister. He served as chair of the Assembly Agriculture Committee and was vice-chair of the Latino Legislative Caucus.
As speaker, Rivas manages the flow of legislation, assigns committees and leads the 60-member Democratic caucus in negotiations with the governor’s office and the Senate. Before being elected to the Assembly, Rivas served two terms on the San Benito County Board of Supervisors.
On his election site, Paine writes that he overcame childhood homelessness with the help of faith-based support and targeted help. He lists his previous employment as ranging from “working in the fields on my family’s ranch to founding a home care business and spending 15 years as a Teamsters truck driver and union leader.”
Robert Rivas:
Why are you running for the Assembly’s 29th District seat?
It’s been an honor to represent AD-29 since 2018 and serve as Speaker since 2023. I was raised in farmworker housing by a loving family who sacrificed so I could have a better life. Back then, California was more affordable, and the door of opportunity was open to those who worked hard. I’m running to make sure that the same opportunity still exists for families in our community—and that rural regions like ours have a strong voice in Sacramento.
What are your legislative priorities for the district?
I’m focused on lowering the cost of living, protecting essential services, and expanding access to healthcare and housing. I’m also pushing back on federal actions that hurt California families. As Speaker, I’m in a position to deliver results—and I’ll keep fighting for AD-29’s priorities in Sacramento.
With rural hospitals facing financial struggles nationwide, how can the state address this?
We’ve seen serious federal cuts to healthcare, so the state has to step up. I helped pass the Distressed Hospital Loan Program to keep hospitals open—especially in rural areas. We must continue to support critical facilities like Hazel Hawkins and Watsonville Community Hospital. We must keep fighting to protect access to care.
What can the state do to improve water and wastewater resources in San Benito County?
This is a top priority. I’ve worked to make sure our region’s needs are heard. Together with Senator Caballero, I secured funding for the San Juan Bautista Wastewater Project. I stay closely engaged with local leaders and farmers, and I’ll keep pushing for investments that strengthen our water infrastructure.
How do you balance housing needs with local control and farmland preservation?
We need more housing, but we also have to protect our agricultural heritage. That means a balanced approach—supporting smart growth while ensuring local voices are heard. I’ve helped secure funding for water and agriculture, and I’ll keep working on solutions that support both housing and farming in our community.
J.W. Paine:
Why are you running for the Assembly’s District 29?
Our district needs change after too many years of doing the same things and expecting different outcomes. We need a representative laser focused on THIS district. Sacramento gives handouts instead of giving our people hands up! And the never-ending Sacramento effort to put their hands in our pockets needs to be stopped!
For example, a mileage tax is now being considered. Our district’s residents must travel far and wide for work, yet Sacramento wants to essentially punish them with yet another tax. Where is all the money we already pay going? No reasonable person driving our roads can believe that all the money we pay actually fixes the intended problems. We all need more dental care, driving our roads for all the teeth we lose! The time for a new way is now.
What are your legislative priorities for the District?
1. Grow Economic Opportunity. Balance Budgets. Regulatory relief: Eliminate unnecessary licensing, permitting, and inspections; Tax stability: Preserve Prop. 13 protections for homeowners & small businesses; Access to capital: Expand microloans; launch a Small Business Innovation Fund to help startups scale.
2. Parents First. Keep Kids Safe. Strengthen parental rights: education, healthcare, child welfare; Safe schools: transparent safety protocols, funding for school-resource officers, parent-involved anti-bullying programs.
3. Do the Crime, Do the Time. Mandatory sentencing guidelines for violent crimes; Increased court resources, reduced backlogs and ensured timely trials.
4. Restoring Accountability to Address Homelessness. Government assistance focus on treatment/job training/work, not dependency; The able-bodied receiving aid participate in work, training, or recovery programs. Taxpayer dollars prioritize rehabilitation & self-sufficiency, not endless spending; Faith-based & community organizations empowered as partners; Help people rebuild their lives & stand on their own two feet.
With rural hospitals financially struggling nationwide, how can the state address issues they face to guarantee the hospitals stay open?
I will refer back to my earlier answer. No handouts, we need to create ways to give hands up. Rural healthcare requires innovation just to stay alive. We have residents who have more health needs generally, the struggles for pay are higher, and then you have employee needs and lots of other issues.
Our communities are savvy. We are a hotbed of innovation. This state should be at the front line of new ways to deliver healthcare to rural populations. Telehealth is an obvious example. AI should be helpful. But having Sacramento just tell us the way will not work
What can the state do to support improvements to the water and wastewater treatment resources for San Benito County?
We need to support the engineers and the workers on this issue. They know the answers! Enable them to win.
How would you balance state housing requirements with keeping local control over growth and preserving the county’s farmlands?
Advocate! State requirements should not be one-size-fits-all. This community has been rural for generations. We must first protect and foster the success of our local residents who produce much of the nation’s quality food. We need to help the people who have been here for generations before we encourage more people from outside the district to move in, who need assistance.
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