It’s primary time again and on Tuesday, June 7, we will once again be going to the polls — or if you’re voting absentee, you want to get your ballot into the mail as soon as possible.
For President
In the Democratic primary, it’s down to a two-horse race between Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders. Although Clinton appears to have the nomination tied up because of her delegate count, there is considerable nervousness in the Democratic Party about her seeming lack of popularity. I personally back Hillary, but a strong showing by Bernie in California would really rock the Democratic boat.
On the Republican side, Donald Trump is the man but the political pros will all be crunching his numbers to see how he does with the subgroups in a very blue state like California. Will the Hispanics turn out in big numbers in opposition? How does he pull in white working class districts? Some of those answers may determine where the big money goes and, sadly, big money is often crucial in a presidential race.
For U.S. Senate
There are 34 candidates running for the U.S. Senate, but the top two get into the runoff in November. Despite all the candidates, there are only two that appear viable; Attorney General Kamala Harris and Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez, although it’s possible one of the Republicans might make it to November if the Democrats split all over the place. Still, we are a very blue state and if it comes down to Harris and Sanchez, my personal choice would be Sanchez.
For Congress
We endorse our incumbent Ted Lieu, very able and very competent.
For State Senator
This is a highly contested seat to replace the termed-out Sen. Fran Pavley, who has endorsed environmental attorney and Malibu homeowner Henry Stern. My mailbox is still filling up with political mailers for Reznik, paid for by strange, totally unrelated, so-called independent PACs, which to me stinks of big oil money coming in to defeat Stern. We strongly endorse Henry Stern.
For Assembly
We endorse our current incumbent, Democrat Richard Bloom, who has done an excellent job in Sacramento, and is tuned into Malibu’s needs.
For Judicial Races
In the judicial races, I look at the evaluations of the Los Angeles County Bar Association, which does a careful and thorough evaluation of all the candidates and rates them “Well Qualified,” “Qualified” or “Not Qualified.” It is an exhaustive process of rating and they work at it diligently. Their recommendations are as follows:
Office #11
Steven Schreiner — only one of the four candidates rated “Well Qualified.”
Office #42
Three of the four candidates were rated “Well Qualified:”
E. Matthew Aceves, Prosecutor
Michael P. Ribons, Arbitrator/Attorney
Cyndy Zuzga, Superior Court
Commissioner
We endorse Zuzga because commissioners sit as judges and the people making the recommendations have had a chance to vet her in the courtroom, doing the job of a judge.
Office #60
Incumbent Judge James A. Kaddo rated “Qualified”; his opposition rated “Not Qualified.”
Office #84
Four candidates and all rated “Qualified.”
Office #120
Incumbent Judge Ray Santana rated “Well Qualified.”
Office #158
Two of the five candidates rated “Well Qualified:”
Kim L. Nguyen, Deputy Attorney
General
Fred Mesropi, Prosecutor
Office #165
Incumbent Judge Kathryn Ann Solorzano rated “Well Qualified.”
For District Attorney
Jackie Lacey, running for re-election unopposed.
State Measure 50
This is a constitutional amendment to allow the legislature to suspend members without benefits, typically that comes about after a criminal conviction.
We recommend a “Yes.”