Assembly member to vote against AB2199, which would remove "the causes and cures of homosexuality" from the list of mental illnesses and sexual deviancies to be researched by the State Department of Mental Health. In an August 2009 interview with The San Diego Union-Tribune, Anderson identified private sector growth as a solution to decreasing unemployment and fixing the budget in California, and noted, "The long-term answer to the budget is to grow private-sector jobs as quickly as possible while stopping all new spending. My colleagues and I are committed to rolling back high taxes and oppressive regulation on businesses, thus encouraging new private-sector jobs." He characterized "a clean spending cap [as] the single most important reform for California that could be passed in a ballot initiative". On September 12, 2009, Anderson was recognized at a gala event "Night To Honor Israel" with the "Watchman on the Wall" Award from the organization Christians United for Israel. The organization recognized Anderson as the Assemblyman, "who spearheaded California's Iran Divestment initiative". In December 2009, Anderson was fined US$20,000 by the Fair Political Practices Commission in California, relating to solicitations of contributions towards a campaign higher than the legally allowed amount. In an interview about the fine, Anderson stated, "I made the mistakes, and I corrected them as quickly as possible. We didn't spend the money. Once I realized there was a mistake, we went straight to the FPPC and tried to reconcile it." California State Senate (2010–2018) On March 3, 2010, Anderson announced his intention to run for the California State Senate seat. Other candidates in the Republican primary election included Judge Advocate General's Corps, U.S. Air Force retired Lieutenant Colonel and Murrieta, California School Board member Kenneth Dickson, and Riverside County Supervisor Jeff Stone. In a statement upon declaring his intention to run for California State Senate, Anderson noted, "Over the last three years I've carried major legislation. I've worked hard in a bipartisan way to solve California's problems. We have solutions to California's problems, but they aren't all politically correct. I want to be part of that solution." In the Republican primary for the State Senate, Anderson received endorsements from San Diego Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher, the California Republican Assembly, Congressman Duncan Hunter, the San Diego Deputy Sheriff's Association, Assembly member Martin Garrick, and San Diego City Attorney Jan Goldsmith. On June 8, 2010, the day of the Republican primary for the