Diamond Bar Mayor Pro Tem Steve Tye to Run for State Assembly

Diamond Bar Mayor Pro Tem Steve Tye plans to kick off his candidacy for state assembly Friday on the steps of City Hall.

He plans to be joined by other city leaders in support of his bid at the 11 a.m. press conference, including Mayor Carol Herrera and Councilwoman Nancy Lyons, he said in a news release.

Tye is the second Diamond Bar council member to announce a run for the 55th Assembly District.  Councilwoman Ling-Ling Chang is also running for Assemblyman Curt Hagman’s seat, as is Walnut Valley Unified School District Board Vice President Phillip Chen.

Hagman’s must give up his seat due to term limits.

Tye was elected to the Diamond Bar City Council in November 2005 and re-elected in 2009 and 2013.  He served as mayor in 2007 and 2011. He served on the Planning Commission from 1997 to 2005 and on the Parks and Recreation Commission from 1994 to 1997.

He has 12 years of experience in financial planning, according to his campaign.

“I want to take what I’ve learned in city government, combined with my business background, and make a positive difference in Sacramento,” Tye said in a statement. “My priorities will be to work for a stronger economy, more skilled jobs and increased education and training opportunities, especially for the people in Assembly District 55.”

The district includes Diamond Bar, Walnut, Rowland Heights, Chino Hills, Yorba Linda, La Habra, Brea and Placentia, combining the northeastern-most part of Orange County, the eastern edge of Los Angeles County, and the western portion of San Bernardino County. 

Political party affiliation of the district breaks down as follows, according to Tye:  almost 40 percent Republican, close to 32 percent Democrat, and 23 percent with no party preference.  In the 2012 primary, 58,000 votes were cast out of 241,000 registered voters.

 “While California’s recovery is gaining strength, it’s still fragile,” Tye added. “Voters want to know that their elected officials have the economic  know-how and business experience necessary to keep our state moving forward.”

For more information about Steve Tye, his candidacy and this upcoming campaign kickoff, call 909-319-5426 and watch for his website coming soon to www.ElectSteveTye.com.