It’s an election year, and the 2024 Presidential Primary is coming up on Tuesday, March 5th, when voters decide who will move on and continue to run in the general election this November.
Of course, there are the Presidential nominees, where voters will cast their votes on who will be the presidential candidates with five different political parties running, including the Democratic and Republican parties. Another highly publicized race is the election of the new California Senator, where 27 candidates are on the ballot to replace Dianne Feinstein’s long-standing Senate seat, which she held from 1992 until her death in 2023.
Although these are both significant races, some crucial local elections will impact Tri-Community residents. Voters can only vote for one candidate in these categories, but the top two candidates will continue on and be voted for in the General Election come November 2024. Here are some notable candidates and races on the ballot for our area.
US REPRESENTATIVES
The US Representatives will serve in Congress in the House of Representatives in Washington, DC.
For California’s 23rd Congressional District, which includes Phelan and Pinon Hills, the incumbent Jay Obernolte (R) will run against Derek Marshall (D). During the last election in 2022, Jay Obernolte won 61% of the vote against Derek Marshall. Still, Marshall is committed to running again on a progressive platform that includes climate justice for protecting desert ecosystems, quality education with increasing teacher salaries, and universal health care for all. Obernote’s key issues are finding solutions for the skyrocketing national debt, lowering health care costs, and reducing the price Californians pay for electricity.
For California’s 28th Congressional District, which includes Wrightwood, incumbent Judy Chu (D) will be running against Jose Castaneda (L), William Patterson (Peace & Freedom), and April Verlato (R). Judy Chu won the 2022 General Election with 66.2% of the vote and is favored to win again. This is the first time Wrightwood residents will vote for the 28th congressional district since the recent redistricting in 2022.
SB COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Phelan, Pinon Hills, and Wrightwood will vote for the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors for District 1. The incumbent, Paul Cook, will be running against Clifton Harris – a retired law enforcement officer from Victorville; Marcus Hernandez – thee School Board President from Phelan; current Snowline and Rafael A. Porras – a Christian pastor from Victorville.
Phelan’s own, Marcus Hernandez, is running on a platform emphasizing affordable housing, safer roads, and economic development. Paul Cook has been on the SBC Board of Supervisors since 2020. He has also emphasized safer roads and was instrumental in advocating and approving a $1 million for repaving Wrightwood’s Park Drive, which was completed last October.
STATE SENATOR
Wrightwood, Pinon Hills, and Phelan will vote for the California State Senator for District 23 to represent them in Sacramento. The current representative is Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh (R), but she will be running for the newly redistricted District 19 for this primary.
On the ballot this time are Blanca Azucena Gomez (D), James Hamburger (R), Ollie M McCaulley (D), Kipp Mueller (D), and Suzette Martinez Valladares (R). According to the Los Angeles Times, District 23 is a swing district, and it’s really anyone’s race. Read their article for more info on the candidate’s stances on housing, homelessness, and education.
STATE ASSEMBLY
Voters in Wrightwood, Pinon Hills, and Phelan will elect a new State Assembly member for District 41 to represent them in Sacramento. On the ballot are Michelle Del Rosario Martinez (R), John Harabedian (D), Jed Leano (D) and Phlunte’ Riddle (D). These candidates will have some big shoes to fill to replace Assemblymember Chris Holden (D), who has reached his term limit and served in the State Assembly since 2012.
Please have a look at the SB County voter guide for more information about candidates and races. For information on when, where, and how to vote, please read our article all about voting at www.4newsplus.com.
