The choice comes down to who’s honest, who’s local, who relates, and who has the required experience and connections.

If we throw away party labels and vote on proven character, values, and self-evident personal investment in our community, the top pick for state Senate District 23 has to be Suzette Valladares. Yes, yes, I know, I’m a lifelong Democrat and she’s a vested Republican. Like cats and dogs living together …

Common interests and concerns should run far deeper than party lines. One’s commitment to our local and regional community runs deeper than red or blue or pick your color(s).

Suzette grew up right over the hill in Sylmar. Call that
Newhall Jr., as it’s 4 miles away as the crow files.

Like many of our local youths, early on Suzette grabbed a job at Magic Mountain and worked there for multiple years, paying her way through life and college. There was no silver spoon for Suzette. Indeed, for most of us growing up in the San Fernando Valley and the Santa Clarita Valley, we didn’t even know what a silver spoon was. We learned how to work, to study, to pull ourselves up, and to earn and make our way through life. Suzette started ground floor, and has built an admirable and honorable life, now shared in Acton with her husband and one daughter.

Along the way, she’s ran her own business, served a term in our state Assembly, and started a nonprofit. Key to her experience in the Assembly was working with the “Problem Solvers Caucus” – a bipartisan lawmaker group dedicated to cutting through party........

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