Primary picks

The CN&R’s editorial board members had a tough time with a few of our endorsements. On the surface, certain competing parties appeared equally competent and experienced. It took a lot of research and interviews and candidates’ forums to come up with our picks. We’ve focused our attention mostly on local contests. In one case, it came down to the backing of a candidate’s colleagues. In another, we’ve chosen to endorse neither candidate.

Below are our recommendations in the races and ballot initiatives we’ve studied sufficiently to feel confident about our endorsements. Still, we urge voters to do their own research. The League of Women Voters website, www.smartvoter.org, is an excellent resource for additional info about candidates. The league’s Butte County affiliate has uploaded videos of their local forums at www.lwvbuttecounty.org. Go there to watch the candidates in action, and get out and vote on June 3.

Local offices

Superior Court judge: Sanda McLean. Her reputation as a tough judge has earned McLean critics, but that’s one of the traits making her the right person for the job. We admire Eric “Ric” Ortner’s desire to give back to Butte County, but he’s outmatched by McLean’s breadth of experience.

County supervisor, District 3: Maureen Kirk. Kirk is a popular leader and well-liked and admired by her constituents. She’s a veteran at setting policy, having served multiple terms on the Chico City Council and Board of Supervisors. She brings a moderate voice to a conservative-majority panel and keeps an open mind. Bob Evans is a thoughtful candidate, but he’s running in the wrong race.

County supervisor, District 2: No endorsement. Incumbent Larry Wahl’s commitment to protecting property owners from the ills of rogue pot growers is commendable, but his tendency to be doctrinaire about medical marijuana despite its legality does many of his constituents a disservice. That said, Andrew Merkel is mostly a one-issue candidate, and he lacks civic experience.

County assessor: Diane Brown. One of the toughest calls, the CN&R chose Brown over the other qualified candidate, Al Petersen. Brown should be able to hit the ground running. She’s worked in the Butte County Assessor’s Office for decades and is endorsed by the current assessor, Fred Holland.

County clerk-recorder: Candace Grubbs. Incumbent Grubbs has some work ahead of her to get the Clerk-Recorder’s Office in order, but her experience, with elections and finances, earns her our nod. Grubbs is also in the midst of establishing the county’s Hall of Records, and she’s the right person to see that project to fruition.

County treasurer-tax collector: Peggy Moak. Her experience is unmatched in this race. Moak spent six years as the assistant treasurer-tax collector, was appointed to the top spot, and is endorsed by all five Butte County supervisors and her predecessor, Linda Barnes.

U.S. Congress

Representative, District 1: Heidi Hall

State Legislature

State Senator, District 4: CJ Jawahar

State Assembly, District 3: Jim Reed

State executive

Governor: Edmund G. “Jerry” Brown

Lieutenant governor: Gavin Newsom

Attorney general: Kamala Harris

Proposition 41: Yes. Six years ago, voters approved the sales of hundreds of millions of general obligation bonds to aid struggling veterans with housing. The intentions were good, but it turns out the vets who qualified for assistance found lower mortgage rates through private lenders. The new plan calls for $500 million in bond revenues for affordable housing units, including multifamily rentals and transitional housing, among other options. It’s a much-needed plan at a time when many vets are facing homelessness.

Proposition 42: Yes. In some cases, communities in the state have been wavering on adherence to the laws governing public records and open meetings, citing the state’s failure to provide reimbursements. Prop. 42 amends the state Constitution, requiring full compliance with those laws—the Public Records Act and the Ralph M. Brown Act. It’s essential to the public’s right to know.