Who’s running: Election 2018 rundown

Plenty of positions up for grabs in Yuba-sutter

Voters in Yuba, Sutter and Colusa counties will have plenty of choices to make in this year’s primary elections. Friday was the last day for candidates to file for county elected positions (although for races in which incumbents do not file for reelection, the filing deadline is extended to 5 p.m. Wednesday, March 14).

Here’s a county-by-county look at the lineup so far:

Yuba County Of the 12 positions up for election, seven have already been decided – the incumbents have no opposition. Still, the other five positions likely to be decided by voters include two county supervisors, sheriff, district attorney and assessor.

Because the current assessor, district attorney and sheriff didn’t file by Friday’s deadline, those races have the extended deadline of 5 p.m. Wednesday, meaning additional candidates could file.

For more information, visit www.co.yuba.ca.us/departments/elections.

Assessor Bruce Stottlemeyer is Yuba County’s current assessor. He did not declare his candidacy for re-election. Candidates are:

Ernie Thompson, 47, a Wheatland resident, has 20

years of experience serving in a county assessor’s office, both in Yuba and Sutter counties. He has served as the chief appraiser for Nevada County for the past two years. He served two terms as a Wheatland city councilman.

Steve Duckels, 49, a Browns Valley resident, is in his 12th year with the Yuba County Assessor’s Office. He serves as a real property appraiser.

Steve Souza, 60, a Loma Rica resident, is the owner of Steve Souza Appraisals. He said he has been a real estate appraiser for about 35 years.

District attorney Patrick Mcgrath is Yuba County’s current district attorney and recently announced his retirement.

As of Monday, there was only one person, Clint Curry, who had filed for the post.

Curry, 41, a Browns Valley resident, has been a deputy district attorney in Sutter County for about nine years.

Sheriff/coroner Incumbent Steven Durfor announced he would not seek a fourth term. Candidates are current employees of the Yuba County Sheriff’s Office:

Wendell Anderson, 48, a Loma Rica resident, is a 21-year veteran of the sheriff’s office. He is a lieutenant, is in charge of investigations, is the commander of the SWAT team and oversees the marijuana eradication team for the department.

Teng Saechao, 52, a Plumas Lake resident, has been with the department for over 26 years. He is a deputy and has served in different capacities such as patrol, as a detective, a supervisor, a SWAT team member, a gang officer and a community service officer. He is also a field training officer and coordinator. Supervisor, District 1 (Linda Area)

Incumbent Andy Vasquez, 70, has been the District 1 supervisor for the past nine years. He was appointed to the position in 2009 by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger before being elected by voters in 2010 and again in 2014.

David Joyce, 38, runs his own marketing business and is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. He used to work for the state of California as a budget analyst.

Joan Saunders served as a county supervisor in the 1980s and currently works part-time at Beale Air Force Base. Supervisor, District 5 (Foothills)

Incumbent Randy Fletcher, 68, a Browns Valley resident, is seeking his second term as supervisor. He has been an insurance broker for the past 38 years.

Alton Wright, 62, a Forbestown resident, is an independent marketing consultant. He has lived in the foothills area for nearly 20 years.

John Mistler, 74, a Browns Valley resident, is the owner of the Territorial Dispatch. He previously served as a supervisor in the 1990s – appointed by Gov. Pete Wilson before being elected by voters for one term. Incumbents running unopposed Seven incumbents up for reelection this June will not be challenged: C. Richard Eberle (auditor/ controller); Terry A. Hansen (county clerk); Francisco Reveles (superintendent

of schools); and Dan M. Mierzwa (treasurer/tax collector). Because of state law, their names and positions will still be included on the ballot.

Incumbents Stephen W. Berrier (superior court judge – office 1), Benjamin Wirtschafter (superior court judge – office 2), and Brent Hastey (Yuba County Water Agency – south division) are running unopposed as well. Their positions, when running unopposed, are not required to be put on the June 5 ballot.

Measure G

A Plumas Lake Elementary School District bond measure will also be on June’s ballot.

If passed by voters, the local middle school construction measure – Measure G – would authorize the district to issue $20 million in general obligation bonds to construct a new middle school.

The measure requires a twothirds approval from voters.