“Remember this before you vote – We can all sink or we all float – ‘Cause we’re all in the same big boat” – One World/Sting & the Police.
It’s kind of early, but it’s not; with more people voting by mail, we are posting the traditional “Mark Your Ballot” feature. We are even being told this year that voting by mail can’t be early enough, so maybe this is ‘take yourself over to the early voting station and do it live.’ But if you need to copy my homework, it’s all here.
There has also been more hesitation and more indecision than I’ve experienced in a long time. People who almost never pause or doubt are pausing to doubt. Folks want advice. As always, this is my decision making process; I talk to a lot of people, and I use multiple resources, both individuals and organizations.
Pencils ready? Begin.
State Senator – Vote for Lola Smallwood-Cuevas. She’s done a great job on her first term, and I’d be happy to see more of the same.
State Assembly – Vote for Isaac Bryan. He’s clearly got his eye on the big picture, and wins a special place in my heart for passing laws to correct problems I did not even realize existed. (Example – foster care. Imagine having your children taken away from you, and then being invoiced for their care.) Bryan also reliably shows up for Culver City on the regular. Easy yes.
United States Rep for the 37th District – Vote for Sydney Kamlager-Dove. Because you always do, and you always will. You can also send her a thank you note for showing Kristi Noem to the door. (If you are voting in the 36th District – that’s your call.)
LA County Sheriff – Karla Carranza. So, Luna is not the arch-villan that Villanueva was, and that’s a good thing. I’m still of the belief that more women should be leading more law enforcement agencies.
LA County Assessor – Jeffrey Prang. Like Bryan, he does a great job of taking in the big picture, and with an office as non-controversial as this one, he’s created some positive change. He also shows up for Culver City when we need him, and keeping him in office is a smart choice.
JUDGES!!! No one ever knows who to vote for when it comes to judges, and yet, you may have noticed, they are part of the very slender thread upholding the rule of law right now. Judges matter. A lot. We get recommendations from three sources, and when those sources don’t agree, we go to a fourth.
Office No.2 – Tal Valbuena
Office No. 14 – Angie Christides
Office No. 39 – Bihn Dang (unoppossed)
Office No. 60 – Ann Maurer (unoppossed)
Office No. 64 – Rhonda Haymon
Office No. 65 – Anna Slotsky Reitano
Office No. 66 – Ben Forer
Office No. 81 – Dan Kapelovitz
Office No 87 – Anthony Bayne
Office No. 116 – Paul Thompson
Office No. 131 – David Ross
Office No. 141 – Mariela Torres (unopposed)
Office No. 176 – Zachary Smith
Office No. 181 – Thanayi Lindsey
Office No. 196 – Candice Henry (unopposed)
County Measure ER – This is a YES. This will create a fund to keep hospitals and emergency rooms open after the Republican federal cuts to health care kick in. You can put in another 1/2 cent sales tax or you can count on stepping over bodies in the street. It’s crucial.
Board of Equalization – Samuel Sukaton. What does the B of E even do? They oversee the County Assessor, the Alcohol Tax, disaster funding. Sukaton is a union guy, and I like to see things being equalized by someone who has a working definition of equality.
Superintendent of Public Instruction- Nichelle Henderson. Her time on the Community College Board would be cut short – her term isn’t up until 2028 – but it would be great to see someone who can create some positive change.
State Controller – Malia Cohen. She’s the incumbent, I have no major issues about her performance.
Treasurer – Eleni Kounalakis. Current Lt.Gov., I think she should keep a seat in Sacramento.
Attorney General – Rob Bonta. Again, incumbent, has done well. Happy to give him another round.
Insurance Commissioner – Jane Kim. Hard to pass on Ben Allen, who I have seen do a lot of good things, but Kim is very highly recommended from multiple sources. I respect people who I know have more information than I do.
Lieutenant Governor – Fiona Ma. Yes, this does just let her change chairs with Kounalakis, and I’m fine with that.
Secretary of State – Shirley Weber. Incumbent, happy to keep her in the seat.
Governor (drum roll please) There are 61 people listed on the ballot for Governor; but that includes several who have already withdrawn from the race. I wish I could vote for Porter, but my trauma over the last presidential election is too hard to get past. Sure, I can tell you to vote for Jane, Shirley, Fiona, Eleni, and you likely will. But getting a woman into the top spot is still a high reach. So, it’s Tom Steyer, who is describing himself on the ballot as a Climate Advocate. I’m going to hold him to that. As I wrote in a previous editorial, the fact that the California Chamber of Commerce is spending so heavily to persuade people against him says a lot. I’m also putting faith in the Pritzker Principal; some people with money have the ability to think of other people’s well being. Not all of them. Some of them.
So – put it in the envelope and take it to the polling place. It’s too much to trust the Post Office with this one. Or, take your notes and go vote in person. Like we used to do in the old days.
May sanity reign, and peace spread throughout the state.
And buckle up for June 3 – the next part of the process will be taking place much closer to your front door.
Judith Martin-Straw
