Bogh, Medina Compete For California’s 23rd Senate District Seat

SAN GORGONIO PASS AREA, CA — The race for California's State Senate District 23 pits a Democratic San Bernardino City Unified School District member against a Republican Yucaipa-Calimesa Joint Unified School District member. If Abigail Medina wins, she becomes the first Democrat to win the seat since district lines were redrawn in 2010. If Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh (Yucaipa) captures the majority, she will continue the GOP’s dominance in the 23rd.

The winner will replace Sen. Mike Morrell (R), who termed out in 2020 and was therefore ineligible to run for the district seat again.

The 23rd District includes the cities of Banning and Beaumont, and encompasses a large swath of the Inland Empire, stretching as far north as Rancho Cucamonga in the northwest to Menifee in the south. It also includes several San Bernardino mountain communities and a small slice of the High Desert.

The two female candidates have waged a tight battle. In the March 3 presidential primary election, Medina captured 59,881 votes or 28.1 percent of ballots cast, compared to Bogh who garnered 52,820 votes or 24.8 percent. The two front runners beat out two Republicans and one Democrat in the primary race.

According to Medina’s biography, she is the eldest of three children and the daughter of working-class immigrant parents. In her youth, she was a part of the foster care system and changed schools frequently, the bio stated.

As a young mom, Medina worked in fields picking tomatoes in central California to help support her family, according to her bio. She has five children.

Medina ran for the SBCUSD in 2013 and beat the longtime incumbent. She has worked with numerous community organizations and has supported environmental protection efforts in the Inland Empire, according to her bio.

In addition to environmental and education causes, Medina is running on a campaign of affordable housing, healthcare for all, racial justice, and liveable wages.

According to Bogh’s bio, she is a native Californian who is running on a campaign that highlights homeownership for all. A graduate of San Bernardino High and UC Santa Barbara, Bogh went on to teach English language learners and is a longtime Realtor.

In addition to housing affordability, Bogh’s campaign emphasizes education, lower taxes and infrastructure. The Yucaipa resident is married with three children.

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