Last week, this paper published its political endorsements for Tuesday’s big vote. We also offered a window in to the Express‘ endorsement process, and we’re going to share that again for readers in case you missed it:
Our decisions were informed by the entire editorial staff, but editor-in-chief Nick Miller wrote up the actual picks. That’s not ideal, and in future elections this endorsement method will change and expand dramatically to include: face-to-face candidate interviews, which all hopefuls for a specific office will attend together (these sessions will be videotaped and published online); the creation of an “endorsement board” of staff writers, editors, and freelancers; and signed endorsement write-ups by a variety of authors. Our goal here is to be transparent, and we appreciate your thoughts and feedback on how to improve the endorsement process. Send ideas to Ni*********@************ss.com.
In the meantime, please remember to vote with the Express on June 7!
U.S. President
Bernie Sanders
The Vermont senator’s message — corporate America and this country’s wealthy elite hijacked the political process — is not new. But the future of the Democratic party lies somewhere in Sanders’ ideas. And we’re endorsing him in the California presidential primary in hopes that this country’s liberal and progressive leadership folds his issues into the party platform. It’s clear that what he’s fighting for resonates with today’s voters, (mostly) young and old. East Bay voters don’t have to plug their noses. They’re free to vote Bernie on Tuesday. They get to send a message to the Dem Party brass: We’re in charge, not your corporate overlords.
U.S. Senate
Will endorse in this race for November
Kamala Harris and Loretta Sanchez appear poised for a runoff in November. This paper will wait to run its final endorsement.
13th Congressional District
Barbara Lee
Congresswoman Lee has represented western Alameda County in Washington, D.C., for more than eighteen years. She deserves our vote again this June.
Ninth State Senate District
Will endorse in this race for November
The three Democrats in this tight battle to represent the northern East Bay are Nancy Skinner, Sandré Swanson, and Katherine Welch. All of them come with high-profile endorsements, but only two will face-off in November. The Express will make an endorsement at that time.
15th Assembly District
Tony Thurmond
18th Assembly District
Rob Bonta
20th Assembly District
Bill Quirk
Alameda County
Supervisor, District 1
No endorsement
As a policy, the Express does not endorse in non-contested races.
Alameda County
Supervisor, District 4
No endorsement
Turn to page 10 for Nick Miller’s rundown on this board of supervisors race between incumbent Nate Miley and challenger Bryan Parker.
Alameda County
Supervisor, District 5
No endorsement
The Express does not endorse in non-contested races.
Proposition 50
Yes
This measure would allow the Legislature to cease paying of one of its members if that lawmaker has already been suspended for cause. Prop. 50 is a common-sense fix to a problem that California hopefully will not confront again soon.
Measure AA
Yes
This measure is by no means sufficient to prepare the region for the impact of rising sea levels over the coming decades. But it’s a start.
Measures B and E
Yes
Measure F, City of
Piedmont
No
Measures N and O, City of Richmond
No
The ballot box is not the place for this internecine city-versus-developer battle. Vote no.
