in january 2019, laird announced his intention to run for the 17th district state senate seat in 2020. he pledged to focus on a range of issues if elected, from managing the impact of climate change and wildfires, to protecting california’s ocean policies, supporting the middle class and expanding access to health care, education and affordable housing. california's 17th state senate district spans the northern central coast, including the counties of santa cruz and san luis obispo and part of the counties of monterey and santa clara.