Hilda Zacarias, candidate for the 33rd State Assembly District, announced today that she was endorsed by State Superintendent of Schools Jack O’Connell. O’Connell singled out Hilda’s life story, “from Head Start to Harvard and back home to Santa Maria” as being “particularly inspiring.”  O’Connell noted that “Hilda’s skill sets as an accountant, auditor and small business owner are sorely needed in the state’s capital. I’m voting for Hilda Zacarias for Assembly.”

“It’s a great honor to be endorsed by the State Superintendent of Schools,” said Zacarias. “I will work to continue Jack O’Connell’s legacy of educational excellence and opportunity for all school children.” Ms. Zacarias is a Santa Maria City Councilmember. An accountant and auditor by training, she has served for five years on the Santa Maria Joint Union High School Board of Education and earned a Master’s Degree from Harvard University. Ms. Zacarias is running unopposed as the Democratic candidate for the 33rd Assembly District which stretches from San Miguel to Lompoc. The District is considered a “swing district” as Republicans have recently held the seat in the Assembly, but Democrats Barack Obama and Dianne Feinstein have won in the 33rd in two consecutive election cycles, 2006 and 2008.