Vote
Motherf*ckers
Back by popular demand, here’s my LA voter guide! Normally I drink a few glasses of wine and provide you with some (hopefully) entertaining context around my decisions.
Unfortunately, I don’t have much time for drunken writing sessions lately, so this will probably be less fun to read than usual. Sad! Regardless, I hope it’s helpful.
My Approach
Below you’ll find two sections.
The first section reflects my ballot, plus statewide races and some federal races too. A smattering.
In the second section, I weigh in on some of the City of Los Angeles races, since I know so many of you will be voting in LA.
If you have questions about ANY of the races I listed – or if you want me to weigh in on any of the races NOT listed here, I’m happy to do so!
*NOTE: I haven’t finished going through all the State Measures. Check back and I’ll add them as I have them.
City/Local: Santa Monica
Santa Monica City Council* (Choose up to 3): Caroline Torosis, Brett Morrow, Daniel Ivanov
*Some SUPER PROBLEMATIC candidates in this race, including a MAHA conspiracy theorist and an incumbent who blames her fellow council members for being ineffective while doing everything to block their effectiveness. It’s wild. Ask me if you want more specifics about the NO-NO candidates.
Santa Monica-Malibu School Board of Education (Choose up to 4): Alicia Mignano, Laurie Lieberman, Robbie Staenberg, Stacey Rouse
Santa Monica Community College Board of Trustees** (Choose up to 4): Sion Roy, Tom Peters, Luis Barrera Castanon, Kera Blades-Snell
**DO NOT vote for Oscar De La Torre! PLEASE AND THANK YOU!
Santa Monica Rent Control Board (Choose up to 3): Sue Himmerlich, Kurt Gonska, Soledad Marcial
Measure ES: YES
Measure GG: YES
Measure RR: YES
Measure VV: YES
Measure TT: YES
state & fedERAL
State Senator, 24th District: John Erickson
State Senator, 26th District*: Sarah Rascón & Sara Hernandez
State Senator, 28th District: Lola Smallwood-Cuevas
*SD26: They are both good in my book. Hernandez is more likely to win. Rascón is more progressive and has the policy chops, but I don’t know if she’s ready for the big show.
State Assembly, 51st District: Rick Chavez Zbur
State Assembly, 54th District: Mark Gonzalez
State Assembly, 55th District: Isaac Bryan
US Representative, 35th District: Norma Torres
US Representative, 36th District: Ted Lieu
US Representative, 37th District: Sydney Kamlager-Dove
US Representative, 38th District: Hilda Solis
US Representative, 43rd District: Maxine Waters
LA COUNTY
Sheriff: Robert Luna
Judges*:
Judge, Superior Court 64: Maria Ghobadi
Judge, Superior Court 65: Justin Allen Clayton
Judge, Superior Court 87: Anthony (A.J.) Bayne
Judge, Superior Court 131: David Ross
*A friend and lawyer did all the homework on these candidate’s records and qualifications. We love having an educated inside scoop!
STATEwide
Governor: Xavier Becerra
Lieutenant Governor: Fiona Ma
Secretary of State: Shirley Weber
Controller: Malia Cohen
Treasurer: Eleni Kounalakis
Attorney General: Rob Bonta
Insurance Commissioner: Ben Allen
Board of Equalization, 3rd District: Mike Gipson
Superintendent of Public Instruction: Richard Barrera
CITY OF
LOS ANGELES
LA Mayor: Nithya Raman
LA City Attorney*: Marissa Roy
*She’s a good friend of mine and she’s brilliant and amazing!! A true “good guy” who has the skills to back it up!
LA Controller: Kenneth Mejia
LA City Council, 1st District: Eunisses Hernandez
LA City Council, 5th District: Katy Yaraslovsky
LA City Council, 7th District: Monica Rodriguez
LA City Council, 13th District: Hugo Soto-Martinez
LA City Council, 15th District: Tim McOsker