Manny Rutinel

But first, one of them will have to win a hard-fought primary.

The state assembly gave a chance for some of the primary candidates to make their case directly to the state’s most active Democrats.

There are two paths for the major party candidates: make their case in front of the party’s most ardent supporters at the state assembly or petition to get on the ballot by submitting signatures.

Incumbents, for the most part, outraised challengers, putting them in a good position to defend their seats.

The Westminster Democrat will step down Jan. 5. A Democratic vacancy committee will be convened to select her replacement.

The Democratic state representative’s advocacy in the animal agriculture arena dates back to at least his time as an undergraduate student. He has pushed for a transition to plant-based food.