If it feels like we just went through the party endorsement process not too long ago. You’re right. California’s decision to move up its presidential primary election to March, instead of June, means the process this year is truncated.
With less than a month before vote-by-mail ballots are delivered on Feb. 2, in advance of the Mar. 3 primary, Alameda County Democrats hold a valuable card for prospective candidates — its endorsement.
Most voters are not totally up-to-speed on the candidates that will appear on the ballot. In mostly progressive Alameda County, the Democratic Party’s official backing often acts as a positive wayfinder for curious voters.
Eight races are up for discussion at Wednesday night’s Alameda County Democratic Central Committee meeting in San Leandro.
In about three races, the recipient of the local party’s endorsement could have a significant leg up on their challengers in the primary.
Only registered Democrats can be considered for endorsements, according to the party’s bylaws. That’s why, for instance, in the marquee race of the primary, the wide-open campaign for retiring Alameda County Supervisor Scott Haggerty’s seat in District 1, there is only three candidates eligible for consideration. (See the entire list below.) That’s because the fourth candidate in the field, Dublin Mayor David Haubert, is registered as an independent. In other cases, the Democrat may not have been nominated for the endorsement.
However, there is a good possibility no candidate is able to amass enough support to win the endorsement because of the number of strong candidates and the even nature of the race in District 1. A candidate needs 60 percent or more of those casting ballots to win the endorsement.
But the party’s imprimatur could go far in bolstering candidates in some other races, including the open Alameda County Superior Court seat, and the three-person campaign for the Alameda County Board of Education Ward 4 seat in Hayward.
Wednesday’s central committee meeting is open to the public and begins at 6 p.m. at the San Leandro Main Library, 300 Estudillo Avenue.
| ALAMEDA COUNTY SUPERVISOR – DISTRICT 1 |
|---|
| Vinnie Bacon |
| Melissa Hernandez |
| Bob Wieckowski |
| ALAMEDA COUNTY SUPERVISOR – DISTRICT 4 |
|---|
| Esther Goolsby |
| Nate Miley |
| ALAMEDA COUNTY SUPERVISOR – DISTRICT 5 |
|---|
| Keith Carson |
| ALAMEDA COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE #2 |
|---|
| Elena Condes |
| Mark Fickes |
| ALAMEDA COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION – WARD 2 |
|---|
| Amber Childress |
| Angela Normand |
| ALAMEDA COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION – WARD 4 |
|---|
| Lisa Brunner |
| LIVERMORE-AMADOR VALLEY AREA 7 WATER DISTRICT |
|---|
| Angela Ramirez Holmes |
| UNION SANITARY DISTRICT |
|---|
| Pat Kite |
ebcitizen.com 