March 3, 2020 Voter Recommendations

March 3^rd is super Tuesday, but you don’t have to wait until March to cast your ballot. LA is unveiling our new voter system, which includes the ability to vote beginning February 22^nd. You are no longer limited to one polling place or election day, so vote when the spirit moves you, just make sure it is before 8pm on March 3^rd.

GIANT DISCLAIMER – these are my personal recommendations and do not reflect the feelings of anyone I work with. Please do not read into how I feel about a ballot initiative or candidate might reflect anything beyond my personal opinion. As always, take what you like and ignore what you disagree with. I am sure some of you have different opinions about some of the presidential candidates and I totally respect that we are all experiencing these very troubled political times differently. 

Ballots will now start with local races and then work up to national races.

My recommendations start with some City Council recommendations. I can’t stomach politicians who are running for seats as a platform to run for Mayor only two years later. I also think there should be a good reason to unseat an incumbent, like they are doing a really bad job. The three City Council incumbents up for re-election are all doing a pretty decent job. I am a big fan of Marqueece Harris-Dawson, who might be the best city councilperson right now. Recommendations in bold I feel strongly about.

Council District 2: Paul Krekorian

Council District 4: David Ryu

Council District 6: No recommendation

Council District 8: Marqueece Harris-Dawson

Council District 10: No recommendation

Council District 12: Loraine Lundquist

Council District 14: Cyndi Otteson

LAUSD District 1: George McKenna

LAUSD District 3: Scott Schmerelson

LAUSD District 5: Jackie Goldberg 

LAUSD District 7: Patricia Castellanos

Los Angeles County Supervisor District 2: Holly Mitchell

Los Angeles County Supervisor District 5: Kathryn Barger

State Assembly District 43: Laura Friedman

State Assembly District 50: Richard Bloom

State Assembly District 51: Wendy Carrillo

State Assembly District 53: Miguel Santiago

Congressional District 25: Christy Smith

Congressional District 27: Judy Chu

Congressional District 28: Adam Schiff

Congressional District 27: Ted Lieu

Congressional District 34: No recommendation

Congressional District 37: Karen Bass

Congressional District 40: Lucille Roybal-Allard

Congressional District 44: Maxine Waters

Congressional District 45: Katie Porter

Congressional District 48: Harley Rouda

District Attorney: No recommendation

*This is very difficult position. I think Jackie Lacey is an extraordinary human being, but she is not the reformer LA needs. Her lack of prosecuting police officers in police shootings and her opposition of Prop 47 are seriously problematic. Her only serious opponent is George Gascon. He is a true reformer, but I am not sure he has the integrity Jackie has. As a result I am torn and leave it to you to figure out who to support.

Judge #17: Shannon Kathleen Cooley

Judge #42: Robert Villa

Judge # 72: Myanna Dellinger

Judge #76: Emily Cole

Judge #80: Klint McKay

Judge #97: Timothy Reuben

Judge # 129: Ken Fuller

Judge #131: Michelle Kelley

Judge # 141: Lana Kim

Judge #145: Troy Slaten

Judge #150: Tom Parsekain

Judge # 162: Caree Harper

County Central Committee, 51^st Assembly District

Jessica Craven

Luis Lopez

County Measure R: Yes

Measure R strengthens citizen oversight over the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. You may be familiar with Lee Baca who was Sheriff until 2014 and is now in prison in Texas for covering up inmate abuse in LA County jails. While a number of reforms have taken place since 2014 Measure R strengthens citizens oversight by giving the Civilian Oversight Commission subpoena power. Measure R also requires the drafting of a plan to shift investment from jails to community based services.

State Measure 13: Yes

I am always for more money for our schools. Measure 13 is a $15 billion statewide bond to fund construction and facility improvements at K-12, community colleges, and state universities.

President: I am taking the NY Times approach of endorsing two candidates for president. My favorite progressive candidate is Elizabeth Warren and my favorite moderate candidate is Pete Buttigieg. I will be voting for Warren, but I recognize different strokes for different folks. 

You made it through another ballot! We have a much bigger ballot coming in November and seven more months of painful presidential campaigning. Please consider volunteering some time to knock on doors. I will be headed to Arizona in the fall to try to turn Arizona blue! We need people to get engaged and volunteer in swing states or districts, like congressional district 25. If you need help finding a way to do your part let me know and I am happy to help connect you.