Dante Acosta | |
---|---|
Member of the California State Assembly from the 38th district | |
In office December 5, 2016 – November 30, 2018 | |
Preceded by | Scott Wilk |
Succeeded by | Christy Smith |
Personal details | |
Born | Sacramento, California, U.S. | January 1, 1963
Political party | Republican |
Spouse | Carolyn |
Children | 3 |
Residence(s) | Santa Clarita, California, U.S. |
Alma mater | California State University, Northridge |
Dante Acosta (January 1, 1963)[1] is an American politician who served one term in the California State Assembly. He also was appointed to the Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency board of directors but resigned after six months.[2]
Early life and education
Acosta was born January 1, 1963 the son of Hollywood actor Rodolfo Acosta and Clidine Roper.[3] He earned a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix.[4] He previously worked as a car salesman and financial advisor.[5][6]
Political career
Acosta was elected to the Santa Clarita City Council in 2014. He then ran as a Republican to represent California's 38th State Assembly district, encompassing Simi Valley, far northern San Fernando Valley, and most of the Santa Clarita Valley. Acosta won election to the State Assembly in November 2016.
In 2018, Acosta was defeated for re-election in a rematch with his 2016 opponent, Democrat Christy Smith. In December 2018, shortly after losing the election, he was nominated and appointed to serve a four-year term on the Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency Board of Directors.[7] Two days after his nomination, Acosta opened a campaign committee for the 2020 election.[8] Six months later, in August 2019, Acosta resigned from the Water Board stating he was moving to El Paso, Texas to be a district director in the U.S. Small Business Administration.[9]
Personal life
Acosta is married to Carolyn with whom he has two children.[6] Their eldest son was a US Army combat medic who was killed in Afghanistan in 2011.[6]
2018 California State Assembly
Primary election | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
Republican | Dante Acosta (incumbent) | 49,825 | 53.6 | |
Democratic | Christy Smith | 43,050 | 46.4 | |
Total votes | 92,875 | 100.0 | ||
General election | ||||
Democratic | Christy Smith | 95,751 | 51.5 | |
Republican | Dante Acosta (incumbent) | 90,298 | 48.5 | |
Total votes | 186,049 | 100.0 | ||
Democratic gain from Republican |
2016 California State Assembly
Primary election | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
Democratic | Christy Smith | 44,755 | 44.7 | |
Republican | Dante Acosta | 36,236 | 36.2 | |
Republican | Tyler Izen | 10,998 | 11.0 | |
Republican | Jarrod R. Degonia | 8,215 | 8.2 | |
Total votes | 100,204 | 100.0 | ||
General election | ||||
Republican | Dante Acosta | 102,977 | 52.9 | |
Democratic | Christy Smith | 91,801 | 47.1 | |
Total votes | 194,778 | 100.0 | ||
Republican hold |
References
- ^ "Join California - Dante Acosta". joincalifornia.com.
- ^ Painter, Ryan (January 7, 2019). "Water board confirms Dante Acosta's nomination". The Santa Clarita Valley Proclaimer. Retrieved January 8, 2019.
- ^ Money, Luke (April 22, 2014). "Acosta to be officially seated during special City Council meeting today". Santa Clarita Valley Signal. p. A6.
- ^ "Biographies of Assembly District 38, 44 candidates". Ventura County Star. May 30, 2018. p. 10A.
- ^ "Dante Acosta: Santa Clarita City Council". scvhistory.com. Santa Clarita Valley Public Television. Retrieved July 27, 2024.
- ^ a b c Blasotti, Tony (May 18, 2012). "House District is new for Simi". Ventura County Star. p. 2A.
- ^ Martin, Kathie (December 18, 2018). "SCV Water Confirms L.A. County Supervisor Barger's Appointment of Dante Acosta to its Board of Directors" (PDF). Santa Clarita Valley Water. Retrieved July 27, 2024.
- ^ Nguyen Do, Mai (December 13, 2018). "Dante Acosta opens 2020 Assembly campaign committee". The Santa Clarita Valley Proclaimer. Archived from the original on December 10, 2019. Retrieved December 10, 2019.
- ^ Holt, Jim (August 16, 2019). "Acosta resigns from water board, moving to Texas". Santa Clarita Valley Signal.