Joan Buchanan picked up the endorsement of the California Medical Association Thursday in her bid to win the 15th Assembly District.

A statement from Buchanan's campaign noted that she'd previously been backed by other medical groups such as the California Nurses Association and United Healthcare Workers-West.

The medical association has also formed an independent expenditure group - with the unambiguous title of "Create Change, Support Joan Buchanan Independent Expenditure Committee" - to back Buchanan's effort.

By state law, however, that group cannot coordinate or communicate its activities with Buchanan's campaign.

In the release, Buchanan said the endorsement means the medical association shares her goal of ensuring affordable health care for every state resident.

"I look forward to working with CMA to achieve it," she said in the statement.

Buchanan, a school board member from Alamo, worked as an executive at Delta Dental in the 1980s. She's opposed by San Ramon Mayor Abram Wilson, a Republican.

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