Select Page

Central Valley races have enormous ramifications for Californians and our fellow citizens. Here’s a summary of the endorsements so far.

 

 

Hello Friend

 

We are 24 days away; ballots have dropped, endorsements are in, and voting suppression antics have revved-up. 

 

This is an important time for our Central Valley races because typical polling places have closed and mail-in ballots are now the norm. This may seem like a positive change, but without voter education, ballots can be easily thrown away, and small-town voters may find it difficult to locate and reach new polling sites.

 

What’s more, Vote By Mail (VBM) accounts for 2/3rds of voters in some of our biggest races. 

 

Here’s the good news–ballots can be gathered and sent in on someone else’s behalf. This means campaigns can designate volunteers to pick up and deliver ballots! 

 

Email me directly, amanda@amandarenteria.com, if you’ll like to be listed as a dedicated ballot gatherer in your area. We need all the help we can get, especially in remote small towns.

 

Thank you for all you are doing to empower the Valley, 

 

Amanda Renteria

 

 

 

FEDERAL RACES

 

CA-10 

Denham-R vs Harder-D

 

Modesto Bee headline reads “Trumps weight crushing Denham. Bee recommends Harder”. One main issue for Denham, his votes on Health Care where an “estimated 100,000 residents would be harmed, some losing insurance, some losing jobs.” Access Harder’s endorsements here.

 

 

CA- 16

Costa-D vs Heng-R

 

Jim Costa’s campaign has been busy garnering more and more attention. This week Senator Feinstein was with Congressman Costa talking with Valley residents. As he has every year, Costa has earned a variety of endorsements, see the list here.

 

 

CA-22

Nunes-R vs Janz-D

 

For the first time in 16 years, the biggest hometown paper in CD-22 is NOT endorsing Nunes. They offer several reasons for this decision from a failed ability to bring water to the Valley to his vote on the ACA that would have cut 74,000 CV families from Medi-Cal. Meanwhile, Janz has a solid track record as a prosecutor and has created an exciting, empowering campaign. Read the full endorsement here

 

 

CA-21 

Valadao-R vs Cox-D

 

Once again, David Valadao is employing vicious smear campaign tactics wrapped in lies. The latest is about TJ Cox’s commitment to health care. TJ’s wife is a pediatrician at Valley Children’s Hospital and TJ has invested in CV health clinics.Meanwhile, Valadao is trying to hide his ACA vote that would have cut health care for 99,000 families in the district. See TJ’s endorsements here

 

 

CA-23 

McCarthy-R vs Matta-D

 

For decades, immigrant communities have worked hard as farmworkers and small business owners providing a foundation for our Valley economy. As a huge insult to our communities, McCarthy introduced legislation for a $23.4 billion border wall. See all her endorsements here

 

 

 

STATE RACES

 

SD-12

Caballero-D vs Poythress-R 

 

Big Valley News endorses Anna Caballero – a major win for this race! In response, her opponent released an attack ad that was deemed by local news station KSBW as “completely false.” Time to put an end to Trump-era campaign tactics

 

 

SD-14

Vidak-R vs Hurtado-D

 

Hurtado has garnered support from a gamut of exceptional community leaders and organizations. 

  • Raymond Lerma, Mayor, City of Corcoran
  • Jose Gurrola, Mayor, City of Arvin
  • Frank Gonzalez, Mayor, City of Sanger

As we think about our future, education is an important state level issue and yet Andy Vidak was rated 27% by California Federation of Teachers, while this is one of Hurtado’s key campaign issues.

 

 

AD-23

Patterson-R vs Rizo-D

 

Aileen Rizo, nationally renowned Equal Pay proponent is bringing common sense leadership with her campaign. She is creating an empowering movement of women leaders across the country. Checkout her campaign’s website to learn more about the movement supporting her.

 

 

AD-26

Mathis-R vs Sigala-D

 

Jose Sigala’s 

#EnoughIsEnough hashtag is resonating deeply in the valley after Kavanaugh’s confirmation hearing. Sigala is working hard, in fact, he made a stop in Wooklake on Thursday for a Community Forum.

 

 

AD-31

Arambula-D vs Espinoza-R 

 

Dr. Joaquin Arambula continues his efforts to improve health care access to the valley by securing funds and helping other candidates across the valley. His re-election is endorsed by many, see the full list here.

 

 

AD-32

Salas-D vs Mendes-R

 

Bakersfield Californian endorses Assemblyman Rudy Salas! “Valley fever is a huge issue in the Central Valley… and Salas led the charge to secure $8 million in funding to beat the disease.”

 

 

Local Races

A shout out to Mayor Grace Vallejo who pointed out the need for in-person early voting locations in other parts of Kern County. Right now, the only available site is in Bakersfield which leaves out Delano voters, one of the communities that has been left out by at-large voting in the past.