Editorial | June 2 Primary: Too Many Candidates, Not Enough Options

A Look at the June 2 Primary Ballot in California

As voters prepare to cast their ballots on June 2, it's essential to take a close look at the candidates running for various offices across the state. The ballot is filled with names, and for some races, the number of contenders can be overwhelming.

For example, the race for California governor features 62 candidates listed on the ballot. This includes names like Eric Swalwell, who withdrew from the race after allegations of sexual assault were made against him. With so many names, it's easy to see why some voters might choose to mail in their ballots rather than go through each name at a polling station.

The lieutenant governor race also has its share of contenders, with 13 candidates on the ballot. Among them is state Treasurer Fiona Ma, a Democrat, while current Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis is running for treasurer. Her opponent in that race is Anna Caballero, a state senator who previously served as mayor of Salinas.

Other contested races include secretary of state, where incumbent Shirley Weber is favored; state attorney general, where Rob Bonta is the incumbent; insurance commissioner, which has no incumbent; controller, where Malia Cohen is the current officeholder; and superintendent of instruction, which also has no incumbent.

Endorsements and Local Focus

When it comes to news organization endorsements, there are not many out there this year. Incumbent Governor Gavin Newsom has not publicly endorsed any candidate for his successor, leaving voters to navigate the field on their own.

This publication focuses its endorsements on local races, as the Editorial Board feels it is impractical to interview all the candidates running for statewide offices. However, for the governor’s race, the publication has published opinion pieces from five candidates. The final candidate debate took place on Thursday, where six rivals attacked poll-leading Xavier Becerra. Their criticisms ranged from his ethics to his reluctance to answer questions and his choice of political consultants.

During the debate, it was revealed that Becerra’s former political strategist, Dana Williamson, admitted to conspiring with his former chief of staff to steal money from his campaign account. Katie Porter, a Democrat who could become the first female governor of California, suggested that Becerra might still be implicated in the case. However, Becerra cited a prosecutor's statement that "no candidate running for governor has been implicated" in the case.

San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, who is considered the most "moderate" of the Democrats running, criticized Becerra, calling him the "embodiment of the status quo" in Sacramento. Despite his stance on crime and homeless encampments, Mahan has struggled in the polls.

Currently, Becerra and Republican Steve Hilton, a former Fox News host, are tied in the polls, with billionaire Tom Steyer, Katie Porter, Matt Mahan, and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco also in the running.

Local Recommendations

For the 19th Congressional District, the publication supports Rep. Jimmy Panetta for reelection. Panetta, a Democrat who has served since 2017, faces opposition from those who accuse him of supporting Israel’s military build-up. However, he consistently delivers federal programs for his district despite Republican control of Congress.

The publication also recommends reelecting Assembly members Dawn Addis (Dem., 30th District) and Gail Pellerin (Dem., 28th District), citing their performance in office.

In Santa Cruz, the mayoral race has drawn significant attention. Ryan Coonerty, a former City Council member and county supervisor, is considered the establishment choice by his opponents. He is the recommended replacement for retiring incumbent Fred Keeley. The Editorial Board praised Coonerty for his experience, knowledge of government, and willingness to advocate for neighborhood concerns. They also appreciated his acknowledgment of the challenges posed by lengthy permitting processes and the need for more flexibility in allowing new businesses to operate in the city.

For the Santa Cruz City Council, the publication recommends reelecting incumbents Renee Golder in District 6 and Scott Newsome in District 4.

In South County, the recommendation for the Fourth District supervisor is Tony Nuñez, communications head at Community Bridges and a former journalist. He is seen as a strong alternative to incumbent Felipe Hernandez. The Editorial Board was impressed by Nuñez's work overseeing Watsonville Community Hospital and his commitment to being more accountable and visible than Hernandez. If elected, Nuñez would join other energetic new supervisors on the county board.