The San Benito County Chamber of Commerce and Visitor’s Bureau endorsed two of the incumbent supervisors running in the June 5 election, including Margie Barrios and Anthony Botelho, while remaining neutral on the District 5 race between incumbent Jaime De La Cruz and opponent Sonny Flores
Representing a membership numbering 400 and growing, the San Benito County
Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau offers candidate endorsements and ratings. Over the past four years, the San Benito County Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau leadership has worked to renew efforts to react to the call of members to take a strategic role in political advocacy by endorsing candidates for local and state political office. The purpose of these ratings/endorsements is to indicate to members and to the voting public at large the degree to which candidates are, in the judgment of its board
of directors, friendly to the business interests of the community.
The Chamber’s Government Relations Committee and Board of Directors has formed policies and procedures for the evaluation of candidates for elective office. Each qualified candidate was evaluated according to alignment with the Chamber’s public policy positions, performance at the chamber’s Speed Campaign program, presentations, diligence as well as the voting track record for incumbents.
See the endorsements below:
Supervisor Margie Barrios for Supervisor, 1st District
Since she was elected nearly four years ago, Supervisor Barrios has been accessible, responsive and demonstrated respected, sound leadership principles for our county. Her participation on local and regional boards is paying dividends as she is respected by her peers and knows her issues. From a business perspective, she takes a practical approach to balance the needs of the county, the community, the environment and economic development. Supervisor Barrios’ leadership will help our county emerge from our troubled economy.
Anthony Botelho for Supervisor, 2nd District
Supervisor Botelho has shown consistent support for quality of life, safety, jobs and economic growth of the county. He is has been a committed and active representative as well as an advocate for the county with the Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments, Regional Council of Rural Counties, for regional road and safety
improvements, economic development and managed growth. San Benito County needs a voice for agribusiness that speaks from direct experience.
Supervisor, 5th District: “Two Star” Ratings for both Supervisor Jaime De La Cruz and Challenger Sonny Flores
30th District Assembly: “Three Star” rating for challenger Rob Bernosky and “X” rating for incumbent Assembly Member Luis Alejo
Bernosky was rated with “three stars,” as according to the Chambers rating policy, he understands the economic issues that impact the business community and the problems it faces, and is ready, able and can be expected to stand up for business, and will help to maintain and create jobs and actively support future prosperity for San
Benito County.
Rob Bernosky is a business-savvy candidate who would bring private-industry experience to the Assembly, with positive solutions to the state’s budget problems and a commitment to revitalize the state’s business climate. He is a former elementary school trustee, current Chief Financial officer and specialist in turning around businesses in
distress. He brings direct experience in agriculture, a businesses perspective and common sense, all of which are much needed in our state government. He is an advocate for the public school system and in today’s climate this is important for business, families and the future of our kids.
Assembly Member Alejo has received an “X” rating as he has an inadequate understanding or appreciation of the issues facing today’s small businesses, cannot be expected to stand up for business in most instances, and failed to respond to the Chamber’s request to appear before its board for evaluation.
Assembly Member Luis Alejo cannot be supported in his desires for a second term as he will continue to discourage local investment, vote in lock-step to support job-killing legislation and propose measures to automatically index minimum wage to inflation.
