Sanchez concedes, endorses Lopez for Merced County superintendent
A second-grade teacher who spent more than $6,000 on her campaign to be the Merced County superintendent of schools before she was booted off the ballot a week ago conceded the race on Friday and threw her support behind another candidate.
Gabby Sanchez formally ended her campaign in an announcement Friday afternoon at her Atwater residence with her former opponent, Richard Lopez, whom she endorsed at the same news conference.
"I am asking my supporters to join me in voting for Richard Lopez on June 5," she said in a prepared statement, urging her supporters to vote for Lopez. "Richard is an effective advocate for improving Merced County's failing schools."
Sanchez was set to run against Lopez, superintendent of the Merced River School District, and Steve Tietjen, the current Merced County superintendent of schools.
But she learned on April 25 that her name won't be on the ballot because she didn't have an "Administration Services Credential," according to Barbara Levey, the registrar of voters.
Sanchez disputed that finding, noting that she started her campaign in January and filed her candidacy papers in time.
Lopez, also a Merced Union High School District board member, on Tuesday announced his support for reinstating Sanchez to the ballot.
That was part of the reason Sanchez decided to endorse Lopez, she said. And it came after the two candidates had a discussion regarding the election and the news she wasn't on the ballot.
"He also stood by me," Sanchez said. "That speaks volumes. That speaks volumes that he understands a fair chance and Merced County voters need to have choices of who they can pick."
Lopez said he was thankful for Sanchez and her team's support.
"I think it changes the overall atmosphere of this election as we continue to work together," Lopez said, adding that it adds to his message of a "game-changing" new vision for the county.
Tietjen wasn't as supportive of Sanchez when news of the ballot omission broke, stating that it didn't surprise him that her qualifications were questioned because "she has never served as an administrator."
"Every citizen has the right to express (themselves) at the ballot box," Tietjen said in a response to questions about his thoughts on Sanchez's endorsement of Lopez.
"I have said all along that I welcome good ideas that will improve outcomes for our Merced County students, whether these come from a candidate or a private citizen," Tietjen said. "Unfortunately, there is nothing I can do to change the law and qualify Dr. Sanchez for the ballot."
Levey on Friday released a statement explaining the process behind omitting Sanchez from the ballot.
She states that her department requested documentation supporting her "Statement of Qualifications" Sanchez submitted in March.
"I had a number of inquiries" about Sanchez's qualifications, Levey said, noting that she was approached several times about the issue.
After review of a certificate Sanchez presented, officials said it wasn't an official document and they learned that Sanchez possessed a "Certificate of Eligibility" for the required credential rather than the credential itself.
Levey said she asked Sanchez to provide any other documentation to prove her claims, but she didn't provide it. Also, Levey noted that Sanchez filed for candidacy in March, which is when the review of her documentation started.
"Contrary to what some have suggested, I cannot simply pick and choose which laws we employ," Levey states. "In the end, my decision must be, and is, based on qualifications and adherence to the various laws that govern the election process.
This story was originally published May 4, 2018 at 3:22 PM with the headline "Sanchez concedes, endorses Lopez for Merced County superintendent."