<body><div>Corrections &amp; Clarifications: An earlier version of this story gave an incorrect endorsement in the race for California Assembly District 1 from Redding City Councilmember Mark Mezzano. Mezzano has endorsed Heather Hadwick.Republicans Tenessa Audette and Heather Hadwick are vying for the California Assembly District 1 seat that Megan Dahle is vacating to run for state Senate.Audette serves on the Redding City Council and is a former aide in state Sen. Brian Dahle's office. Hadwick is a Siskiyou County native who lives in Alturas in Modoc County and with her husband manages a farm.The two candidates were the top two vote-getters in the four-way primary on March 5 for the North State district, which covers swaths of land from Butte County to the California border with Oregon and Nevada.Hadwick, who received endorsements from Redding City Councilman Mark Mezzano, Megan Dahle and her husband, state Sen. Brian Dahle, led with 35.6% of the vote. Audette took second with 29.2% of the vote, according to state elections data.Hadwick won Siskiyou County with 56.9% of the vote, but ran second to Audette in Shasta County with 22.93%, according to county elections offices.Mezzano earned 25.5% of district votes, while Anderson Vice Mayor Melissa Hunt won 9.6%. It's unclear how that third of North State voters who supported Mezzano and Hunt will vote on Nov. 5; the outcome could swing in either Hadwick's or Dahle's favor.Note to readers: We’ve made this story free as an important public service. If you are able, help power local journalism. Subscribe to the Redding Record Searchlight.Among Audette’s endorsements are Redding Vice Mayor Julie Winter, Shasta County Supervisor Mary Rickert and William "Tex" Dowdy, the sheriff of Hadwick's home county of Modoc.<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3ZjKv5_0vmAy5xU00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3ZjKv5_0vmAy5xU00" width="960" height="676" ><figcaption>Candidates for the Redding City Council participate in a forum on Sept. 10, 2024 at the Cascade Theatre in Redding.</figcaption></figure>The winning candidate will represent the North State in the state assembly on issues including water rights, fire risk and forest management, crime, the rising cost of living, homelessness and public safety.The Record Searchlight asked Hadwick and Audette about the top three issues they believe are facing residents who live in Assembly District 1 and why they think they're the best candidate to tackle those challenges. Their answers are given below.<h2>Heather Hadwick (R)</h2><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0oPouE_0vmAy5xU00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0oPouE_0vmAy5xU00" width="960" height="776" ><figcaption>Heather Hadwick is one of two Republican candidates competing in the runoff for the California Assembly District 1 seat in the November 2024 general election.</figcaption></figure><ul><li>Town of residence: Alturas, Modoc County</li><li>Occupation: Farmer, teacher</li><li>Campaign website: votehadwick.com</li><li>Social media: Facebook at VoteHadewick; Instagram at @votehadwick</li></ul>Why are you the best candidate for the job? (50 words or fewer): Growing up in the district and with diverse experience as a farmer, small business-owner, teacher, and emergency manager, I offer practical insights and a deep commitment to service. My personal connection and varied background make me the ideal candidate. I am endorsed by Senator Brian Dahle and Assemblywoman Megan Dahle.What do you think are the three most important issues facing the North State? (150 words or fewer):1. Wildfire/Fire Insurance: Wildfires are out of control in a forest that we aren’t allowed to manage. Where there is fuel, there is fire. I have been boots on the ground and understand the complexity of fire mitigation, suppression and recovery. I am endorsed by CA Professional Firefighters and CAL FIRE Local 2881.2. Affordability: Rising living costs are straining families and businesses. Addressing affordability requires targeted solutions to lower housing costs, support businesses and ensure access to essential services without burdening residents financially.3. Crime: Crime is exacerbated by the mental health crisis and addiction issues, impacting community safety and quality of life. A comprehensive approach is needed, focusing on enhanced law enforcement, community-based prevention programs and effective mental health and addiction support to reduce crime and foster safer, healthier environments. It is impacting businesses, senior citizens and neighborhoods, leaving victims without justice and straining community trust and safety.<h2>Tenessa Audette (R)</h2><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=36LPjQ_0vmAy5xU00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=36LPjQ_0vmAy5xU00" width="960" height="1280" ><figcaption>Tenessa Audette is one of two Republican candidates competing in the runoff for the California Assembly District 1 seat in the November 2024 general election.</figcaption></figure><ul><li>Town of residence: Redding, Shasta County</li><li>Occupation: Redding City Councilwoman, Redding Mayor</li><li>Campaign website: votetenessa.com</li><li>Social media: Facebook at votetenessa; Instagram at votetenessa</li></ul>Why are you the best candidate for the job? (50 words or fewer): California’s government bureaucracy is overburdening the people. I’m committed to being a strong voice, challenging the status quo by advocating for limited and effective government. With my business and local government experience, I’ll be the people’s lobbyist, fighting for you, protecting what truly matters — public safety, family values and freedoms.What do you think are the three most important issues facing the North State? (150 words or fewer):We must address the rising cost of living, wildfires and insurance and protection of parental rights.I will advocate for free market principles. We need to reduce burdensome regulations, lower taxes and crime, and promote economic growth for North State families and businesses to thrive. It’s time to reduce government controls and unleash the power of the human spirit.We must proactively manage our natural resources. Restoring healthy forests and watersheds through forest fuel reduction efforts mitigates catastrophic wildfire risk. I will prioritize protecting access to affordable homeowners insurance by ensuring an open competitive market for insurance companies.The shaping of our children's lives is the role of parents, not the government. I will champion policies that empower parents to make decisions regarding their children's education, healthcare and upbringing. This includes school choice, parental involvement and the removal of sexually explicit content from schools.Jessica Skropanic is a features reporter for the Record Searchlight/USA Today Network. She covers science, arts, social issues and news stories. Follow her on Twitter @RS_JSkropanic and on Facebook. Join Jessica in the Get Out! Nor Cal recreation Facebook group. To support and sustain this work, please subscribe today. Thank you.This article originally appeared on Redding Record Searchlight: Hadwick, Audette voice top California Assembly District 1 issues</div></body>

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Hadwick, Audette in their own words as they vie for California Assembly District 1

Corrections & Clarifications: An earlier version of this story gave an incorrect endorsement in the race for California Assembly District 1 from Redding City Councilmember Mark Mezzano. Mezzano has endorsed Heather Hadwick. Republicans Tenessa Audette and Heather Hadwick are vying for the California Assembly District 1 seat that Megan Dahle...