The Bee’s endorsements for Modesto City Council: 3 candidates stand out

Three races at the same time for open seats on the seven-member Modesto City Council is extremely rare.

While it’s uncommon to have zero incumbents among 11 candidates, it’s also intriguing to envision a council finally working in harmony.

People are genuinely tired of the division, distrust and dysfunction on the council, so the prospect of welcoming three new faces with fresh perspective and leadership styles can be viewed as a once-in-a-lifetime gift to the people of Modesto. The fact that two more council positions also could immediately turn over — if voters choose another mayor, and depending on whether Councilman Bill Zoslocki succeeds in a bid for another office — only adds to collective anticipation for a new dawn at Modesto City Hall.

Against that backdrop, let’s consider the three open races created by the imminent departure or repositioning of Councilmembers Mani Grewal (District 1), who lost a March Primary bid for state Senate, and Kristi Ah You (District 3) and Doug Ridenour (District 6). The last two are looking for a promotion to mayor and could remain on the council in that job, if elected on the same Nov. 3 ballot or in a subsequent runoff.

Of the 11 candidates for these three council positions, Jennifer Hidalgo, Jim Applegate and Hunter Sauls will make fine representatives and have earned The Bee’s recommendation.

District 1

The good news for voters in northwest Modesto is they have three exceptional candidates from which to choose, in Hidalgo, Rosa Escutia-Braaton and Amin Vohra. All have dedicated years to improving our region and state on various levels, gaining impressive individual knowledge and expertise along the way.

A fourth candidate, John Gunderson, declined to join the others in a Zoom debate (see it at modbee.com) moderated by The Bee Editorial Board, which does not endorse nonparticipants.

Hidalgo’s enthusiasm, focus on underserved people, and commitment to community outreach help her stand out. She is a legislative aide to state Sen. Anna Caballero, a position providing Hidalgo with a commanding understanding of issues facing people in Modesto and our region. And she previously worked for the Children’s Crisis Center and the Great Valley Center.

“I’m young, I’m energetic and I love where I live,” Hidalgo said in The Bee’s forum, which can be viewed at modbee.com.

Vohra and Escutia-Braaton both serve on the Modesto Planning Commission, an excellent proving ground for municipal leaders. Both also have served with numerous other city panels and community groups as well, and Escutia-Braaton’s resume includes state government service under governors Gray Davis and Arnold Schwarzenegger. Both are thoughtful and well-spoken, and either could easily step into a City Council role without skipping a beat.

District 3

Voters in west-central Modesto also have a choice between three candidates who are intriguingly strong, but for other reasons. They are Applegate, Janice Keating and Chris Ricci, and they could hardly be more different from each other.

Keating ably served two terms on the council in what seems like a different lifetime, from 2002 to 2009. Her focus is public safety, and her words in The Bee’s forum (see it at modbee.com) were aimed to alarm voters, who — she insists — are “horrified and victimized” even though crime statistically has been on an extended decline.

Running counter to Keating’s angry, conservative condescension is Ricci’s progressivism. His priorities, admirably, include affordable housing and economic development. A big and bold thinker, Ricci might best be known for creating X-Fest, a street fair that brought thousands of revelers to Modesto’s downtown streets for several years. His enthusiasm can be contagious.

Very much in the middle of those two is Applegate, a pastor who in 2007 established Redeemer Church in downtown Modesto. Like Hidalgo, Applegate represents Modesto’s best chance for leaving behind the acidity and rancor that have come to characterize the current atmosphere at City Hall, because of his civil and conciliatory approach.

“I admit what I don’t know,” Applegate said with humility in The Bee’s forum.

Policy makers ought to weigh each issue coming before them with a minimum of preconceived bias. With Applegate, District 3 residents have someone who doesn’t have all the answers before the questions are raised. He will take time to listen, learn and build consensus — not with bluster, but calm collaboration.

District 6

Sauls has a decent excuse for lack of service in our community: he’s been off serving our country in the U.S. Army and California National Guard.

In The Bee’s forum for District 6, it was nice to hear Sauls quoting John Adams when reflecting on his own priorities: “Always stand on principle, even if you stand alone.” He will be an independent thinker, while also eager and able to absorb wisdom from experienced public servants.

Candidates Jessica Gonzalez and Kelsten Obert are to be saluted for coming forward with their candidacies. They should consider service with civic panels and nonprofits.

David Wright’s record of volunteerism with city committees and nonprofit organizations is commendable. But his right-wing rigidity should be a red flag at a time when healing and alliances are in order.

Sauls, whose priorities include restoring trust between people and their city government, is best positioned to represent northeast Modesto in District 6.

Modesto is ready for and deserving of monumental change in its City Council, the kind that will move us forward into a bright new era of partnerships and prosperity. That is most likely to occur with office holders of the caliber of Jennifer Hidalgo, Jim Applegate and Hunter Sauls.

This story was originally published October 4, 2020 at 4:00 AM.