Hey Focus fans!
Simple math says that primary ballots processed as of early this week (90,147) plus those still to count (13,481) equals more than 103,600 votes cast in Stanislaus County. That would represent 34.5% turnout.
And that compares favorably to Stanislaus’s 30% turnout for the 2024 primary in a presidential election year.
You can bet participation will pick up even more in the November general election, with the governor’s race on the line – plus contests for city councils, school boards, irrigation districts and potential for bonds in multiple school districts.
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Speaking of city council elections, Juan Telles has declared his candidacy in Modesto’s District 2 covering west and south Modesto. He was born and raised in that area – like incumbent Eric Alvarez, who will seek a second term.
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California House District 13 incumbent Adam Gray, who won the closest race in the nation for a House seat two years ago (by 187 votes, ousting John Duarte), has popped up in national media in recent days. Gray (D-Merced) penned an opinion column in The Washington Post and was interviewed on CNN.
Part of Gray’s op-ed pined for the days when government seemed more interested in helping people get through their lives. This part may resonate with many: Government did not exist simply to referee competing interests. It existed to solve problems and help build the future. That instinct feels distant today.
CNN anchor Kate Bolduan asked Gray about the column, and about accusations of a rigged election in California, which he called “silly.” Initially he sidestepped her question about Maine’s Senate primary and embattled Democratic candidate Graham Platner; when she pressed, Gray said it’s up to voters in Maine.
Challenging the first-term congressman is Republican Kevin Lincoln, a former Stockton mayor who is endorsed by President Donald Trump. District 13 is mostly west of Highway 99 in Stanislaus County and has even more voters in Merced County, plus a sliver running into part of Stockton.
Should be an exciting, competitive race to follow.
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The rest of Stanislaus County – mostly east of Highway 99 – is in CA District 5, where longtime incumbent Tom McClintock, a Republican, is challenged by Democrat Michael Masuda of Riverbank on the November ballot.
Does anyone miss the days when all of Stanislaus County was in one united congressional district? Republican Jeff Denham represented us, then Democrat Josh Harder – who moved north when district boundaries were redrawn and now represents most of San Joaquin County.
In the June primary, Republican challenger John McBride won 23.8% in CA District 9 for the right to face Harder, who captured 60.1%. With those numbers, I’m thinking he might not miss us all that much.
Feel free to share notes, tips and insights for Stanislaus-centric campaign coverage at garth@themodestofocus.org, although I’ll be out of the office for three weeks.