In case you missed them, campaign signs have been popping up around East Contra Costa County the last few weeks and will remain through June 3 as the California Primary Season has officially started.
Signs we have noticed include Assemblyman Jim Frazier, Congressional District 9 Candidate Steve Anthony Colangelo and Contra Costa County Auditor-Controller Candidate Ayore Riaunda of Oakley.
May 5 marks the first day County Offices can issue you a Vote-by-Mail ballot. Below we have provided you with important dates and some of the races—not a full ballot.
ECT is only endorsing three candidates during the primary season and discouraging support for Measure E—the Contra Costa Community College Bond.
- Congressional District 9 – Jerry McNerney
We thought about endorsing the “best” republican candidate in this race as McNerney is a “lock” to advance to the November election; however, there is not much separation between the three candidates and they are interchangeable. In fact, the Contra Costa County Republican Party did not endorse a candidate in this race—calling them “three fine republican candidates”.We will stick with Congressman McNerney and hope his seniority continues to increase in Washington so he can be more effective going forward. Our only concern with this race is a whole is East Contra Costa County is being treated like a step-child since all the candidates are from the valley.
- Congressional District 11 – Mark DeSaulnier
We endorse Senator DeSaulnier not because we are fans of his voting record lately, its actually quite the opposite, we endorse him because we feel like he will do the best job in bringing funding to Contra Costa County and believe he has the relationships the others don’t have to be successful. Even with some questionable bills lately, he is still the clear choice.
- Assembly District 11 – Jim Frazier
We endorse Assemblyman Frazier because he has stayed true to his campaign promises, supported gun rights with his votes and has fought for the California Delta. He has also worked to support veterans and special needs children. In contrast, his opponent Alex Henthorn, declined to be interviewed until after the primary in order to focus on “weight loss”. It’s also our understanding that Mr. Henthorn is jobless at this time.
- “NO” on Contra Costa Community College Bond Measure E
We are not supporting this Bond Measure because it will double the amount of taxes to property owners who already pay in added taxes to the Community College District–two bonds already on the books. Currently, property owners pay $13 per $100,000 of assessed home property value from bond measures passed in 2002 ($120 million) and 2006 ($286.5 million). If Measure E is passed, property owners are now on the hook for $26 per $100,000 assessed value.While there are good projects included in this Bond, there are many “pet projects” that balloon the cost of this bond to more “wants” than “needs” in terms of education—such as a physical education complex, gym and aquatics facilities. For our full explanation, click here.
Important Dates:
- May 5 – FIRST DAY TO RECEIVE A VOTE-BY-MAIL BALLOT – This is the first day our office can issue you a Vote-by-Mail ballot.
- May 19 – LAST DAY TO REGISTER TO VOTE IN THIS ELECTION – You must be registered by this date to vote in this election.
- May 27, 2014 – LAST DAY FOR THE REGISTRAR TO MAIL YOU A BALLOT – Your written request for a Vote-by-Mail ballot must be received in our office no later than 5:00 p.m. on this date.
- June 3, 2014 – ELECTION DAY – Polls will be open from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm. Return your voted Vote-by-Mail ballot to this office or any polling place in Contra Costa County by 8:00 pm.
Primary Election Rundown
Congressional District 9
- Jerry McNerney
- Steve Anthony Colangelo
- Karen “Mathews” Davis
- Antonio C. “Tony” Amador
Congressional District 11
- Jason Ramey
- Tue Phan
- Ki Ingersol
- Tony Daysog
- Mark DeSaulnier
- Cheryl Sudduth
Governor
- Luis J. Rodriguez
- Alma Marie Winston
- Edumond G “Jerry” Brown*
- Janel Hyeshia Buycks
- Andrew Blound
- Rakesh Kumar Christian
- Glenn Champ
- Neel Kashkari
- Tim Donnelly
- “Bo” Bogdan Ambrozeqicz
- Akinyemi Agbede
- Richard William Aguirre
- Robert Newman
- Cindy L. Sheehan
- Joe Liecht
State Assembly, District 11
- Jim Frazier*
- Alex Henthorn
State Assembly, District 14
- Susan A. Bonilla*
Contra Costa County Supervisor, District 1
- John Gioia*
Contra Costa County Supervisor, District 4
- Karen Mitchoff*
Contra Costa County Assessor
- Gus S. Kramer*
Contra Costa County Auditor-Controller
- Ayore Riaunda
- Robert Campbell*
Contra Costa District Attorney
- Mark Peterson*
Contra Costa Sheriff-Coroner
- David Livingston*
Contra Costa County Treasurer-Tax Collector
- Russell V. Watts*
Superintendent of Public Instruction
- Tom Torlakson*
- Marshall Tuck
- Lydia A. Gutierrez
County Superintendent of Schools
- Linda Delehunt
- Karen Sakata
Bond Measure E
To upgrade educational facilities at Diablo Valley, Contra Costa, and Los Medanos Colleges, and the San Ramon and Brentwood centers, and help prepare students for jobs and college transfer by modernizing classrooms and labs, building facilities for health, medical, science, and technology training, and implementing earthquake safety, accessibility, and infrastructure improvements, shall the Contra Costa Community College District issue $450 million of bonds at legal interest rates with independent oversight, audits, and all funds spent on local sites?
For a full list of candidates/measures:
visit http://www.cocovote.us/upcoming-election-06032014/?electionId=34#Election
