We are in the home stretch of the most important midterm election of our lifetime. We’ve already seen previous early voting records broken across the country. It seems to illustrate that our citizens understand what’s at stake—our democracy as we know it.

The Amador County Democratic Central Committee (ACDCC) is an official central committee of the California Democratic Party (CADEM). Each election cycle, CADEM selects statewide and federal candidates to endorse. In other words, they do the research necessary to provide informed recommendations. Likewise, ACDCC does the same with local candidates. Our goal is to help busy voters who may not have the time to weed through the minutiae.

Below is a blurb for each of the CADEM/ACDCC endorsed candidates to help you prepare for voting, whether you will vote by mail, drop off your absentee ballot at a designated area, or partake in the tradition of voting at polls on election day.

Gavin Newsom for Governor: Gavin is currently our Lt. Governor, serving his second term. Prior to that, he served two terms as Mayor of San Francisco.

According to CADEM: Gavin is widely recognized for his bold willingness to lead – repeatedly developing, advocating, and implementing innovative and groundbreaking solutions to some of our most challenging issues. Gavin’s top priorities are economic development (creating jobs and reducing poverty), education (increasing affordable access to quality schools at all levels), protecting the environment, and justice – ensuring California continues to lead by example while actively resisting any attempt by the Trump administration to take us backwards.
Provided by and paid for by the California Democratic Party.

Alex Padilla for Secretary of State: Alex is the incumbent, and he has done an outstanding job of ensuring our rights to fair and free elections. Prior to this, Alex was a California State Senator for two terms and on the Los Angeles City Council from 1999-2006.

Per CADEM: Over the course of Alex Padilla’s eight years in the California State Senate, he successfully authored legislation on telecommunications, broadband deployment, energy and energy efficiency, grid modernization, education, job creation, environmental protection, food safety, seismic safety, and a host of other issues. In 2015, Alex was sworn in as California Secretary of State. In this role, he is committed to modernizing the office, increasing voter registration and participation, and protecting voting rights.
Provided by and paid for by the California Democratic Party.

Betty T. Yee for Controller: Betty is the incumbent, elected in 2015. She was a member of the California Board of Equalization from 2004-2015. Betty leads audits of state and local governments to keep an eye out for the misuse of taxpayer funds. She’s also an advocate for surviving loved ones to ensure life insurance companies pay death benefits.

CADEM says: Betty Yee is the chief financial officer of California, the 5th largest economy in the world. She is a tough, innovative, and fiercely independent fiscal watchdog who is on our side, delivering results. Betty Yee. On Our Side.
Provided by and paid for by the California Democratic Party.

Fiona Ma for Treasurer: Fiona is currently serving as a member of the Board of Equalization. She posted a rather nice letter on her website, www.fionama.com, to address her reasons for running as Treasurer. In the letter, she states, “As Treasurer, I will make sure we have access to the capital necessary to complete the projects Californians deserve while also helping to create good jobs and keep our economy growing.”

CADEM’s statement: Fiona Ma is a Certified Public Tax Accountant and currently serves on the California State Board of Equalization, where she works to protect the rights for taxpayers while also ensuring that California collects its fair share of tax revenues.
Provided by and paid for by the California Democratic Party.

Xavier Becerra for Attorney General: Xavier is the incumbent and to me, he’s a hero. He isn’t afraid to take the Federal government to court to protect things that matter most Californians. Things like sanctuary cities and Net Neutrality, for instance. As of last July, Xavier won 12 cases against the Trump Administration.

Per CADEM: Xavier Becerra is the 33rd Attorney General of California, and the first Latino to hold the office in state history. A staunch advocate for hardworking families, Xavier has brought decades of experience to defend the rights of nearly 40 million Californians.
Provided by and paid for by the California Democratic Party.

Ricardo Lara for Insurance Commissioner: Ricardo is currently a California State Senator and a former California Assemblyman. On his website, www.ricardolara.com, Ricardo says he’ll put Californians before corporations, such as pharmaceutical and insurance companies.

According to CADEM: Throughout Senator Ricardo Lara’s career, he’s always stood up for working families and against injustice, even when doing so was difficult or unpopular. Lara is running to be California’s next State Insurance Commissioner because he believe at his core that California needs a strong defender, and a counterpuncher, who will stand up to fight our bullying President, Donald Trump, and his increasingly reckless federal government on issues from healthcare access to economic security and more.
Provided by and paid for by the California Democratic Party.

Kevin de León for US Senator: Kevin is currently a California State Senator. I had the honor of meeting Kevin, and he is very personable and authentic. He seems to have his finger on the pulse of what California Democratic Voters want and expect from a US Senator. I found voting for US Senator to be the most difficult choice, as we have two excellent candidates. For me, it came down to experience versus a fresh face on Capitol Hill. I chose the latter, as I want bold enthusiasm to challenge the Trump Administration on things such as healthcare and protecting Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. Kevin is passionate about these things. His top priorities include immigration and gun safety reform.

CADEM states: Senator de León is the son of a single immigrant mother who supported her family in the San Diego barrio of Logan Heights. He was the first in his family to graduate from high school and college. Kevin served four years in the Assembly before his election to the Senate in 2010. Senator de León was elected by his colleagues to lead the Senate in 2014, making him the first Latino to hold that position in over a century.
Provided by and paid for by the California Democratic Party.

Jessica Morse for the US House of Representatives, District 4: I also had the pleasure of meeting Jessica, and she is the right candidate for our district. She has served under both Democratic and Republican administrations and is willing to work with both sides of the isle.

Jessica cares deeply for our district and rural communities. In fact, Jessica has taken the time to visit Amador County on several occasions, such as when she dropped by our County Fair. Even though we only represent 7% of District 4 voters, she understands how meaningful it is to show us her support!

Jessica’s family has lived in the district for 5 generations, with land in Pollock Pines. A couple of her priorities include healthcare and the economy.

Tony Thurmond for Superintendent of Public Instruction: Tony is a social worker and currently serving as a California State Assemblyman.

Per www.TonyThurmond.com: Tony Thurmond is an educator, state legislator, and public school parent. Tony is running for State Superintendent of Public Instruction because he believes high-quality public schools are the key to every child’s success in the 21st century economy. Tony’s top priority will be increasing funding for public education to increase teacher pay, close the school to prison pipeline, and invest in early education, bilingual education, and more. Tony is the public schools chief we can count on to stop Betsy DeVos’s anti-public education agenda from harming California’s kids.

Paulina Miranda for State Senate: Paulina’s top priorities include the economy, access to higher education, and developing more diversified, higher paying jobs in areas such as infrastructure.

Carla Neal for State Assembly: I’ve had the pleasure of meeting with Carla on numerous occasions. My first impression is she wants to everyone to have an equal chance at the obtaining the American Dream. As an educator, she cares deeply about seeing youth reach their full potential. Some of Carla’s top priorities include healthcare for all, education for all, a strong economy, and a healthy environment.

Bob Laurent for Amador School Board, District 3: Bob is the incumbent and someone who cares deeply about our children and their education. In fact, he’s a college math and science instructor. I’ve had the honor of meeting Bob, and he introduced me to the Amador County Measure A for Schools (more on Measure A below).

Some of Bob’s top priorities include increasing elective and vocational classes, getting student input on decisions that affect them, and improving the recruitment and retention of quality teachers.

Measure A: This is a $78 million school facilities improvement bond measure. The purpose is to fund critical upgrades and ensure that all Amador County students receive a high-quality education in safe, up-to-date facilities. The ACUSD Board of Trustees voted unanimously to place Measure A on the ballot.

For information regarding the November 6th Ballot Propositions, please visit: www.cadem.org/propositions

CADEM & ACDCC supports YES on Props 1, 2, 4, 7, 8, 10 and 12, and NO on Props 5, 6 and 11.

Article written by:
Adriana Jenson
ACDCC Board Member, District 3