Ballot finalized for local races

Candidate lists for Congress and the California state Assembly have been finalized, according Secretary of State Alex Padilla.

Assemblyman James Gallagher (R-Yuba City) is seeking re-election, with one challenger vying for his spot: Sonia Aery, a small-business owner and Democrat from Chico.

Seven candidates are in the running for Congressman Doug LaMalfa’s seat, including LaMalfa. His challengers are Audrey Denney (Democrat, educator/farmer, Chico), Jessica Holcombe (Democrat, attorney, Auburn), David Peterson (Democrat, small-business owner, Grass Valley), Marty Walters (Democrat, environmental scientist, Quincy), Gregory Cheadle (Republican, real estate broker, Redding) and Lewis Elbinger (pictured), a Green Party member and retired diplomatic officer from Mount Shasta who announced his candidacy this week.

These candidates are seeking votes during the June 5 primary, with the top two vote-getters in the congressional race progressing to the November ballot. The League of Women Voters of Butte County will host a forum for those candidates at 7 p.m. April 30 at Chico State’s Harlan Adams Theatre/PAC 144. LaMalfa will not be in attendance.