Sacramento – State Senator and 1st District representative Dave Cox announced on Tuesday that he is backing GOP candidate Paul Hegyi in his run for the 10th Assembly District seat in 2010. “Paul Hegyi will be a tireless public servant and is an outstanding candidate for the 10th district,” said Cox, adding: “Paul will be a reformer and understands the need to protect California families and businesses from increased taxes and reckless spending, which is what got us where we are today.” “I am proud to have Senator Cox co-chairing my campaign," said Hegyi. “As the Senator representing most of the 10th district, he knows the issues we face and I look forward to working with him as a member of the Legislature.” Cox’s support comes on the heels of endorsements from Assistant Republican Caucus Leader Martin Garrick of San Diego and Senator Tony Strickland, who represents portions of Ventura, Santa Barbara and Los Angeles counties. Garrick said Hegyi, “knows what needs to be done to fix the system and is committed to reining in out-of-control state spending.” Hegyi said the current 10th District Assemblywoman, Democrat Alyson Huber, voted for “the largest tax increase in California history” when she backed the February budget and associated tax hikes totaling an estimated $16 billion. He also said she refused to rein in out of control public employee pensions. “The current mess in Sacramento could have been prevented if our elected leaders would have the courage to make tough decisions. Unfortunately, Alyson Huber has chosen to leverage the future of our state and push those tough decisions off to future legislators,” said Hegyi. Hegyi is currently serving as chief staff to Assemblyman Van Tran and made an unsuccessful bid for the same seat in 2008. As of early July, he had raised nearly four times as much campaign money as his primary opponent, Lodi Republican Jack Seiglock. The 10th Assembly District was narrowly won by Huber after a heated campaign battle with Sieglock last fall. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.