The Californian’s primary election recommendations

Over the past several weeks, The Californian has published the newspaper’s recommendations regarding one ballot proposition and candidates competing in several federal, state and local primary races. The purpose of these recommendations is not to tell readers how to vote. Rather it is to encourage them to vote and provide information that will help them make their own decisions. The recommendations are based on the newspaper’s political coverage and monitoring of campaigns.

California’s primary system requires the top two vote-getters in federal and state races — regardless of party affiliation and the percentage of votes they receive — to advance to compete in a November general election runoff. This requirement applies to candidates for U.S. Senate and House and the state Legislature.

In local races, such as for Kern County supervisor and Bakersfield mayor, a candidate can win outright in the primary if the candidate receives 50% of the vote, plus one. Otherwise, the top two vote-getters in local races face each other in the November runoff.

Following is a list of The Californian’s March 5 primary election recommendations:

Proposition 1 — YES: This proposed reform of the state’s mental health funding system is supported by Gov. Gavin Newsom and was placed on the ballot for voters’ approval by the state Legislature. It is the first major overhaul of California’s mental health system in decades. It is intended to expand services to people in need.

U.S. Senate — Adam Schiff or Katie Porter: Nearly 30 candidates are competing to replace the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein for a full term. Democratic Reps. Adam Schiff and Katie Porter are the front-runners, with Republican Steve Garvey, a former Dodgers first baseman and political novice, capitalizing on his name recognition to mount a robust challenge. The fourth-place front-runner is progressive Rep. Barbara Lee.

A November runoff between Schiff and Porter will give voters the best discussion of the issues and an opportunity to assess candidate capabilities. Also on the March 5 ballot is a “special election” to fill the few remaining months of Feinstein’s unexpired term. Feinstein died in office last fall. Vote for Schiff or Porter in that race as well.

22nd Congressional District —

David Valadao or Rudy Salas: Incumbent Republican Rep. David Valadao faces three challengers in his reelection bid. Former Democratic Assemblyman Rudy Salas is the most qualified challenger, with a longtime proven record as a state legislator of working for the people who live in the 22nd District. A November runoff between Valadao and Salas will give district voters the best opportunity to assess candidates.

20th Congressional District — Vince Fong:

The sudden, last-minute resignation of Bakersfield Republican Rep. Kevin McCarthy in December created confusion and uncertainty in the race to replace him. Assemblyman Vince Fong filed a lawsuit to allow him to enter the race, which has 11 competitors.

The California secretary of state, who oversees the state’s elections, is appealing the ruling. The top two vote-getters in this race will advance to the November runoff. Fong, who has effectively represented Kern County in the state Legislature, and is the most qualified and politically experienced candidate, should be in the November runoff.

32nd Assembly District — Vince Fong:

The name of Vince Fong, Bakersfield’s Republican assemblyman, is the only one appearing on the primary ballot. Fong was running unopposed for reelection, until he decided to jump into the 20th Congressional District race.

The secretary of state said it was too late for Fong to withdraw from this Assembly race and he could not run for two offices on the same ballot. However, a state court judge ruled that because of a loophole in state election laws, Fong could run for both Assembly and Congress. The ruling is being appealed.

The secretary of state has certified four write-in candidates to compete to replace Fong in the Assembly. Likely Fong and one of the write-in candidates will advance to the November runoff. Voting for Fong will ensure Fong is in the Assembly runoff, as a backup to the possibility that an appeals court eventually declares him ineligible to compete in the 20th District race for Congress.

35th Assembly District — Jasmeet Bains:

A Delano native and physician, Democratic Assemblywoman Jasmeet Bains faces only one challenger for reelection — little known and politically inexperienced Republican candidate Robert Rosas, who is listed on the ballot as an electrical technician and businessman. Regardless of the number of votes casts for either candidate, under California’s top two primary system, both will advance to the November runoff. Bains has been an effective and conscientious legislator for Kern County.

Kern County supervisor, 1st District — Phillip Peters or Mary Little:

Incumbent Supervisor Phillip Peters faces two reelection challengers. In 2020, when Peters first was elected to the board, he easily defeated two little-known candidates. This year, Mary Little, a longtime elected member of the Kern County Board of Education, poses a much greater challenge. With a third candidate in this race, neither Peters nor Little may receive more than a majority of the votes necessary to decide the race in the primary. A November runoff between Peters and Little will allow voters to focus on issues and candidate qualifications.

Kern County supervisor, 4th District — David Couch or others:

Incumbent Supervisor David Couch represents a district that has been redrawn to settle a court dispute over the way supervisors crafted their own political boundary lines. A federal judge found their method illegally diluted the political influence of minority voters by splitting Latino communities.

Seeking a fourth four-year term, Couch is being challenged by three candidates — Delano Vice Mayor Salvador Solorio-Ruiz, Delano City Councilwoman Veronica Cruz Vasquez and Wasco Mayor Alex Garcia. All three have considerable community support and, in some cases, have received endorsements from the same organizations. It is unlikely that this race will be decided in the primary. The top two vote-getters will face each other in the November runoff. Vote for Couch, or one of his three challengers.

Kern County supervisor, 5th District — Leticia Perez or Kimberly Salas:

Incumbent Supervisor Leticia Perez faces three challengers in her fourth-term reelection bid. She is receiving a robust challenge from Kimberly Salas, a longtime Democratic activist and member of Democratic Assemblywoman Jasmeet Bains’ staff. With two other lesser-known candidates also on the ballot, it is possible that this local race will advance to a November runoff. Voters will have the best opportunity to assess candidates in a runoff between Perez and Salas.

Bakersfield mayor — Karen Goh.

Incumbent Mayor Karen Goh is seeking reelection to her third four-year term. Goh should be reelected. She has demonstrated the abilities and energy to make Bakersfield an increasingly better city.