Election 2022: The Modesto Bee Editorial Board’s roundup of endorsements

By The Modesto Bee Editorial Board

November 2, 2022 4:00 AM

Vote election button ballot box flag democracy — The Olympian

If you’ve already voted, well done.

If not, do not panic. You can wait until Nov. 8 to drop your ballot in the mail or at a dropbox, or you can visit your polling place to vote in person.

But why wait? Ballots sent in early can be processed ahead of Election Day — speeding up the vote-counting process — though results can’t be released until the polls close.

Looking for guidance?

Here is our complete list of local endorsements from The Modesto Bee Editorial Board, as well as recommendations on state races that reflect the consensus of The Modesto Bee, The Sacramento Bee, The Fresno Bee and The San Luis Obispo Tribune.

Like editorials, Stanislaus-area endorsements represent the collective opinion of the local Editorial Board.

The board is led by Opinions Editor Garth Stapley, joined by Interim Senior Editor Keith Campbell and Maria Figueroa, research and information specialist. Community Advisory Board members Tahmira Mecca, Doug Maner and Tina Driskill provide input after forums for each race, all of which can be viewed at modbee.com/opinion.

The Bee’s opinion section operates independently from the news section. Reporters do not participate in Editorial Board deliberations or weigh in on its decisions.

Federal offices

U.S. Representative, California’s Congressional District 9

The Bee’s choice: Josh Harder

U.S. Representative, California’s Congressional District 13

The Bee’s choice: Adam Gray

California Legislature

California Assembly, District 22

The Bee’s choice: Jessica Self

California Senate, District 4

The Bee’s choice: Tim Robertson

Municipal races

Modesto City Council, District 5

The Bee’s choice: Jeremiah Williams

Turlock Mayor

The Bee’s choice: Amy Bublak

Turlock City Council, District 3

The Bee’s choice: Cassandra Abram

Patterson Mayor

The Bee’s choice: Dominic Farinha

Ceres City Council, District 1

The Bee’s choice: Jim Casey

Ceres City Council, District 2

The Bee’s choice: Rosalinda Vierra

Modesto City Schools

Area 1

The Bee’s choice: Cindy Marks

Area 5

The Bee’s choice: Charlene West

Modesto Irrigation District

Division 2

The Bee’s choice: Janice Keating

Division 3

The Bee’s choice: Nick Dokoozlian

Division 4

The Bee’s choice: Stu Gilman

Local Measures

Measure H (Modesto sales tax increase)

The Bee’s choice: Yes

Here’s why: Modesto deserves better public safety, healthier trees, safer parks and cleaner streets. All are within reach by raising sales tax 1%.

Measure L (Modesto City Schools bond)

The Bee’s choice: Yes

Here’s why: High school students will better prepare for college and jobs if we give them updated classrooms, labs and sports venues.

BEHIND THE STORY

How The Bee makes an election recommendation

The Modesto Bee Editorial Board interviews candidates for elected office, then discusses the merits of each. Candidates must participate to be eligible for an endorsement.

The Editorial Board consists of McClatchy California Opinion Editor Marcos Breton, Fresno Bee Opinion Editor Juan Esparza Loera, opinion writer Tad Weber and Don Blount, McClatchy Central Valley senior news editor.

The recommendation is an opinion meant to help readers reach their own decision on which candidate to choose.

Read more by clicking the arrow in the upper right.

Why are endorsements unsigned?

Endorsements reflect the collective views of The Bee Editorial Board — not just the opinion of one writer. Board members all discuss and contribute ideas to each endorsement editorial.

Decisions have no connection to news coverage of political races and are wholly separate from journalists who cover those campaigns.