With several important races remaining uncontested as the
primary election season gets under way, the community would be best
suited – especially in several key races – with more competition
stepping forward. Choice, after all, is the essence of
democracy.
With several important races remaining uncontested as the primary election season gets under way, the community would be best suited – especially in several key races – with more competition stepping forward. Choice, after all, is the essence of democracy.
Elected leadership roles throughout San Benito County will be on the line in June, and potentially in November’s general election for races in which two candidates might remain after the primary. Both the district attorney and sheriff’s seats are on the ballot. So are two spots on the county board, and two on the Hollister City Council as well.
Along with those, there are other importan jobs up for reelection such as the assessor, clerk/auditor/recorder, treasurer/tax collector and county schools superintendent.
Those positions, however, are driven to a lesser extent by personal perspective and political will. Though they are elected jobs, they are more professional – and by nature less divisive – than the others.
As of right now, there are no challengers for those positions. There are, however, for some of the other more issue-oriented county races. And voters could use a few more with about a month left in the initial filing period.
As of right now, there are two contenders – Phil Fortino and Jerry Muenzer – running against incumbent Supervisor Reb Monaco, while there are no challengers yet for incumbent Supervisor Pat Loe. Two seats are open on the city council, for Eugenia Sanchez’s position in District 4 and Pauline Valdivia’s long-held place in District 3.
It’s unclear at this point who’s running for those seats, elections for which are administered at Hollister City Hall as opposed to the county elections office, because the clerk’s office there was closed on the holiday Monday.
In what could be one of the more highly debated races, there are two residents – Undersheriff Patrick Turturici and Marshal Robert Scattini – vying for the open sheriff’s seat. But no one has indicated an intention at this point to challenge District Attorney Candice Hooper.
The races for the county board, city council, district attorney and sheriff should take center stage in the coming months. It should be an interesting campaign season, nonetheless, but voters would have the best chance at progress with more candidates, particularly in those key races.
The current slate of candidates might just be the best group possible. Regardless, we encourage residents on the fence to seriously consider running while offering this community’s citizens the best possible prospects for moving forward with the right mix of leadership.
