Newhall School Board President Christy Smith declared her intent Wednesday to run again for the 38th Assembly District in 2018.

Smith previously ran in 2016 against now Assemblyman Dante Acosta for the 38th District seat, and will face Acosta again in the upcoming 2018 June Primary Election.

The 2016 election resulted in Dante Acosta with 52.9 percent of the vote and Christy Smith with 47.1 percent, according to the California Secretary of State’s office.

“Every day, it’s becoming abundantly clear to me that this moment in history calls for a bold and lasting movement — powered by real people, on the ground, in our community,” said Smith. “We’ve already witnessed the beginnings of it, with the women’s march, by democracy in action through town halls, gatherings and heightened political discourse and civic engagement in our district, across California and throughout America.”

Christy Smith was elected to the Newhall School Board in 2009. Smith is active in education advocacy locally and statewide, serving as the Legislative Vice President of the Santa Clarita Valley Trustees Association and as a delegate to the California School Board Association.

“It’s a movement that isn’t about any one of us—but rather all of us — and it’s what has inspired me to step up to the plate and to run again for the California State Assembly,” said Smith. “This movement has given me both the courage and the drive to stand up and fight against the politics of division and for a better life for the people of our community and our state.“

Christy Smith previously ran in 2016 on the Democratic ticket. She campaigned on a platform of prioritizing education and health care reform among many other issues.

“We need a government that understands that basic, quality healthcare is a human right— not a privilege — where all students have access to a higher education or to job-training,” said Smith. “Where combating climate change while ensuring clean air and clean water is not up for debate — where we embrace equality for all Americans — where we prioritize compassion over cruelty — and country, humanity and human decency come before extreme partisanship.”

Christy Smith has been a resident of the Santa Clarita Valley for 26 years. A graduate of Hart High School, Smith grew up in the valley before attending College of the Canyons. She graduated with honors from UCLA with a B.A. in Political Science and moved to Washington D.C. before returning to Santa Clarita.

“These are the reasons why I’m running, at this very moment, because while California can’t necessarily control all the chaos stemming from repressive leaders in Washington,” said Smith, “the fact remains that the promise of California is still shining bright, and I know that together, we can turn this backyard-driven movement into action right here, and bring progress to communities throughout the 38th District.”

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