Pressed for time but want to vote smart? Here are Merced Sun-Star’s endorsements | Opinion
The Merced Sun-Star Editorial Board has made endorsements in local races ranging from Congress to school boards on the November ballot. Here are summaries of those endorsements plus links to the specific editorials that go into detail on the board’s views:
U.S. CONGRESS
District 13: One of the most watched races in the nation pits Republican incumbent John Duarte against Democratic challenger Adam Gray. Duarte’s campaign ads portray him as a moderate, yet he stayed loyal to his party’s goals in this Congress, such as the GOP-backed Parents Bill of Rights, which would out a transgender student to their parents against the student’s wishes. Gray, a former state Assemblymember, is a moderate Democrat who has worked to get water deliveries for Valley farmers. Here is the Sun-Star’s endorsement.
STATE ASSEMBLY
District 8: Former congressman George Radanovich is hoping to re-enter politics with this seat. Running against him is David Tangipa of Fresno, a newcomer to elections. Both are Republicans. Radanovich wants to challenge Democratic control of the statehouse. Tangipa is more willing to work with Democrats. That will be the more successful strategy given that Democrats hold a supermajority in the Legislature. Here is The Sun-Star’s endorsement.
District 27: First-term Assemblymember Esmeralda Soria, a Democrat, is being challenged by Republican Joanna Garcia Rose. Soria, a former Fresno City Councilmember, teamed with state Sen. Anna Caballero to secure millions in funding to reopen the shuttered Madera Community Hospital. She has proven adept at winning state monies for other projects in her district as well. Here is The Sun-Star’s endorsement.
CITY OF MERCED
Mayor: Incumbent Matt Serratto is being challenged by former council colleague Anthony Levi Martínez, which is a rematch of the 2020 mayoral race when Serratto captured 52% of the vote and Martínez finished third in a field of four candidates. Here is The Sun-Star’s endorsement.
CALIFORNIA PROPOSITIONS
The Sacramento Bee opinion team, in concert with McClatchy California opinion editors, offers endorsements in the many propositions on the ballot.
This story was originally published October 25, 2024 at 12:00 PM.