SANTA CRUZ, Calif. -- The 27th Assembly District encompasses much of Santa Cruz and Monterey counties, including the Monterey Peninsula, and the race for the seat pits veteran Democrat John Laird against Republican Michael Morrision, a member of the Marina City Council.

Morrison is a security company consultant. He said his campaign will target what it believes is Laird's lack of involvement and overall disregard of Monterey Peninsula issues.

"I think we need to be represented by someone who actually cares about the constituency more than they do about the next position in elected office," Morrison said.

The district leans heavily Democratic, with 51.7 percent of voters registered as Democrat compared to 21 percent registered as Republican.

"I expect the Republican vote, no doubt. But I'm also proud of the fact I'm pulling some serious numbers in Democrats. I need to pull 16 percent of Democrats to win. If I get 16 percent of Democrats, I can win the race," Morrison said.

San Jose State University political science professor Terry Christensen said Laird has a huge advantage over Morrison because of the way the district is drawn.

"In districts like this, the same thing happens if the district is predominantly Republican. Democrats don't invest a lot of money, time or energy on recruiting strong candidates. It really comes down to the way the district lines are drawn, which is one reason redistricting is a controversial issue in California," Christensen said. "I think it will be impossible to defeat John Laird."

Despite that handicap, Morrison pushes forward as a self-described pro-choice, pro-environment and pro-labor Republican and what he calls a real Republican.

"Mike Morrison is a McPherson Republican, because that's what I am," Morrison said.

Laird is the incumbent and chairman of the Assembly Budget Committee, which is a powerful leadership post.

But despite what the experts may say, he's not taking Morrison lightly.

"I still get home for three days every weekend. I only missed one this year and every Friday, I have office hours or do meetings and alternate between Santa Cruz and Monterey and occasionally Morgan Hill, and go to events over the weekend. So, I feel I'm very much in touch," Laird said.

For the current session, Laird successfully worked on legislation addressing what he believes are several of the 27th district's top issues -- funding to build a new Pajaro River levee, affordable housing, coastal protection and a bill to allow modernization of the Monterey Peninsula Airport District's governance structure.

"This is a unique mix. Whether it's flood issues, ag issues, small business issues or heavy on environment, and I've really been carrying the banner on each one," Laird said.