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# People Over Parties: Dem. Lorena Gonzalez Lauds Rep. Brian Maienschein
- URL: https://ivn.us/people-parties-dem-lorena-gonzalez-lauds-rep-brian-maienschein/
- Published: 2018-12-03T20:17:08.000Z
- Updated: 2026-06-22T20:05:26.000Z
- Author: Jeff Powers
- Tags: News

**San Diego, Calif.**\- As we wait for the final ballot count to determine the [77th Assembly district](https://vote.sos.ca.gov/returns/state-assembly/district/77?ref=ivn.us) race, there are still about 20,000 votes remaining, Republican incumbent Brian Maienschein, who leads Democrat candidate Sunday Gover by 757 votes, was the recipient of some rare kudos from a Democrat.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/dc/be/dcbe1ac4-146f-43be-92a6-ea84728d86a6/content/images/2026/02/Screen-Shot-2018-12-03-at-9.26.36-AM.jpg)

*California Secretary of State Website*

### **Gonzalez Goes To Bat For Maienschein**

Even though California Democrats enjoy a supermajority in the state, Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez spoke highly of Maienschein and the working relationship the two have.

In a [recent podcast](https://www.voiceofsandiego.org/topics/news/bonus-podcast-san-diegos-power-couple/?utm%5Fsource=Voice+of+San+Diego+Master+List&utm%5Fcampaign=3e304137ac-Politics-Report-RSS&utm%5Fmedium=email&utm%5Fterm=0%5Fc2357fd0a3-3e304137ac-84180189) on Voice of San Diego, Gonzalez noted, "I think Sunday is a fine woman and a fine individual who would make a great legislator, but the reality is this, I have a good friendship with Brian Maienschein. And when I needed somebody who will listen to my argument and, and possibly cross the line and make a really tough vote, I knew I could go to Brian,” Gonzalez said.

When Gonzalez was asked if it would be uncomfortable if Gover wins the seat, she responded “Well, look, I don’t think so, but I’ve seen a lot of Democrats who come in to take Republican seats. We’ve seen this happen a lot in my tenure and they, they’re very, they’re afraid of those tough votes. A lot of times we’re struggling to get to 41 on tough economic issues because Democrats who feel like they’re in a vulnerable position can’t go up on it.”

### **Maienschein the Independent**

[Assemblyman Maienschein](https://ad77.asmrc.org/?ref=ivn.us) is rated as one of the most independent, moderate Republicans serving the state.

Consider this.

The Republican Maienschein has 100% approval marks from Planned Parenthood, 100% from PawPAC – California’s Committee For Animals, “No Legislator has done more for the protection of animals than Brian Maienschein,” and 100% from Equality California.

As[ CALmatters’ Dan Walters](https://ivn.us/2018/10/29/ca-democrats-target-moderate-republicans-in-bid-for-supermajority/) told IVN San Diego, “Brian has been a terrific moderate, has been willing and demonstrated his ability to go across the aisle and get things done for his constituents."

### **Mods Will Be Important Factor**

The State Assembly's next legislative session begins Jan. 7\. And while it's expected to be a progressive agenda, there is discussion about the importance of reaching across the aisle to more moderate Democrats and Republicans to ensure a legislative balance.

Sacramento has a number of caucuses which have different agendas that will need to be respected and included, this was highlighted in a [recent IVN article](https://ivn.us/2018/11/14/caucus-collision-ca-assembly-factions-taking-shape-for-new-session/).

One Republican political consultant Mike Madrid noted, "Just because it’s a one-party state doesn’t mean it gets easier. In many ways it will be more difficult. Personal agendas and personalities will play a bigger role."

Reaching across the aisle, as Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez noted, will arguably be more important than ever to prevent party gridlock in Sacramento.