Democratic Assemblymember Marc Berman of Menlo Park faces Republican David G. Johnson in Assembly District 23 on Nov. 3. The certified list shows Berman as "State Assemblymember" and Johnson as "Small Business Owner." The San Mateo Daily Journal describes Johnson as the Santa Clara County Republican Party chairman. Berman has served 10 years and told the paper that, if reelected, this will be his last term.
Berman won the June primary with 77.3% (96,074 votes), according to Ballotpedia. Johnson had 14.6% and fellow Republican Rick Giorgetti 8.0%. In 2024 Berman beat Lydia Kou with 59.8%. Here's where the finalists split, based on their interviews with the Daily Journal before the primary.
1. The cost of living
Berman calls housing "the foundation for all the others." He says California has "done a great job at creating jobs over the past 50 years, and we've done a terrible job at building the housing necessary to meet the demand." He says he has passed more than 100 bills, including the ban on gas-powered yard tools and the law making California a permanent vote-by-mail state. Johnson's priorities are one-day, in-person voting, fighting fraud and parents' right to be told by schools if a child is considering a gender transition. He said both Republicans favored a smaller state role in regulation and taxes.
2. The vehicle license fee money
San Mateo County cities rely on in-lieu vehicle license fee (VLF) money that the state has to approve every year. County leaders are seeking $157 million they say they are owed. Berman wants a permanent fix "so we stop coming back on this year-to-year-to-year kind of negotiations." Johnson said he hadn't known about the issue and suggested making VLF a flat fee paid directly to the county and state.
3. Artificial intelligence
Berman says Washington's failure to act leaves California to lead, and he points to his work against AI-generated child sexual abuse material. Johnson said, "I really don't want the state to regulate it," and might "defer to the federal government, who has a bigger picture."
4. Trump
"If I'm reelected to my last term, eight of my 12 years in the legislature will have been with Donald Trump as president," Berman said. Johnson, who calls himself a "God-fearing, country loving-guy," supports Trump but said he cares more about local issues and his own values. "I'm actually running a fairly nonpartisan campaign," he said.
How to vote
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. Polls and vote centers close at 8 p.m., and mailed ballots must be postmarked by Election Day and arrive within seven days. You can check your registration and ballot status at sos.ca.gov/elections. California lets you register and vote the same day at a vote center.
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