Monterey County Local Elections & Politics News Articles and Digest

Public Safety Elections & Politics Government

Protesters Expected Outside of Biden LA Fundraiser

12/08/2023
A large gathering of protesters sympathetic to the plight of the Palestinian people is expected outside a fundraiser Dec. 8 in Westwood for President Biden. Police have warned that any violence won’t be tolerated.

From Los Angeles Times...

Elections & Politics Crime & Justice Government

Hunter Biden Indicted in LA on Tax Charges

12/07/2023
Hunter Biden, a Malibu resident, is facing nine tax-related charges between the years of 2016 and 2019. It is the second criminal indictment for the son of President Biden, aside from a pending firearms case.

From Sacramento Bee...

Transportation Elections & Politics Government

DMV Shift Appears to Spur Drop in ‘No Party Preference’ Voter Sign-Ups

12/04/2023
The California Department of Motor Vehicles changed its voter registration process in 2019 to put a party selection dropdown on the same page. Since then, the number of people registering as Republicans or Democrats has jumped close to 20 points.

From CalMatters...

Business, Economy & Jobs Elections & Politics Government

New Assembly Labor Committee Chair Faces Ongoing Worker Unrest, but Scores Some Wins

12/04/2023
With nine months’ experience in the Assembly, Liz Ortega will lead the Labor committee after a strike-filled summer and several wins for low-wage workers.

From Sacramento Bee...

Elections & Politics Government

California Congressional Reps Overwhelmingly Vote to Expel Santos

12/01/2023
Forty-eight of California’s 52 members of the House of Representatives voted in favor of expelling George Santos. Of the other four members, all Republicans, Kevin McCarthy didn’t vote while three opposed Santos’ expulsion.

From Los Angeles Times...

Elections & Politics Government

Newsom-DeSantis Debate Could Benefit Each Man

11/30/2023
The Nov. 30 debate between governors Gavin Newsom and Ron DeSantis could be a win-win for both. DeSantis’s flagging presidential campaign could get a boost, while Newsom could increase his standing in Democratic circles.

From Monterey County Weekly...

Elections & Politics City of Soledad

Soledad Voters Will Decide on the Future of District Elections, and Elect a New Council Member.

11/29/2023
Image for display with article titled Soledad Voters Will Decide on Future of District Elections, Elect Councilmember

During a special meeting on Nov. 13, the Soledad City Council voted to fill the seat vacated by Alejandro Chavez via the March 5 election, the same time voters will decide on Soledad’s district maps.

From Salinas Valley Tribune...

Education Elections & Politics

Hartnell College Board Appoints Gonzales Resident as New Trustee

11/29/2023
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The Hartnell Community College District Governing Board made a provisional appointment of Sonia Jaramillo of Gonzales as the new District 6 trustee, filling a vacancy left by Erica Padilla-Chavez.

From CalMatters...

COVID-19 Elections & Politics History Government

California vs. Florida: Need-to-Know Facts About the Rival States Ahead of Newsom-DeSantis Showdown

11/28/2023
Political wonks in California, Florida and maybe a few states in between, will be glued to their screens Thursday night to watch Gov. Gavin Newsom and Gov. Ron Desantis square off in a highly-anticipated Blue vs. Red State debate that’s been brewing since the summer.

From Sacramento Bee...

Elections & Politics

Congressman’s Central Valley Office Gets Vandalized

11/27/2023
Rep. David Valadao, a Republican, had his district office in Hanford vandalized. Fliers were plastered on the doors of his office with pictures of children and the words “Murdered by Israel.”

From Monterey Herald...

Education Elections & Politics

Congressman Panetta Receives Community College Award

11/25/2023
Congressman Jimmy Panetta was honored with the Distinguished Alumni Award from the Community College League of California, which recognizes individuals whose attendance at a California community college assisted them in achieving their goals.

From The Mercury News...

Elections & Politics

Eshoo to Not Seek Reelection

11/21/2023
Rep. Anna Eshoo, who has served in Congress more than 30 years and represents Silicon Valley, announced that she will not seek reelection and is retiring. Eshoo, a Democrat who turns 81 on Dec. 13, said in a video that her heart is filled with gratitude.

From Sacramento Bee...

Elections & Politics

Schwarzenegger Rules Out U.S. Senate Bid, Talks California

11/20/2023
Former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger met Nov. 17 with Sacramento press corps members. He ruled out a U.S. Senate bid, saying the only thing he was interested in running for was president, while acknowledging he can’t do this because he was born in Austria.

From Monterey County Weekly...

Families & Children Elections & Politics City of Gonzales

Gonzales Youth Council Shows the Power of Intergenerational Collaboration.

11/19/2023
Image for display with article titled Gonzales Youth Council Shows the Power of Intergenerational Collaboration

For a Monterey County Weekly cover story, Celia Jiménez spoke with several teenagers about the work they’ve done in their communities.

From Pleasanton Weekly...

Education Elections & Politics

School Board Members Who Banned Pride Flag Face Recall Campaign

11/19/2023
Two members of the Sunol Glen Unified School District board have been served with recall notices. This came after the board approved a resolution that banned schools in the Alameda County district from flying the LGBTQ+ pride flag.

From SFGate...

Elections & Politics

Joe Biden Touts Gavin Newsom as a Future President

11/16/2023
During a trip to San Francisco, President Biden said that California’s governor “could have the job I’m looking for.” The remarks have fueled speculation about whether Newsom might step in to run instead of Biden in 2024.

From Monterey County Weekly...

Elections & Politics County of Monterey

The Field Is Shaping Up for the Board of Supervisors Primary Election in March.

11/15/2023
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The candidate filing period for the 2024 primary elections only opened Nov. 13, but local voters already have a sense of who will be running to represent them on the Monterey County Board of Supervisors.

From Los Angeles Times...

Elections & Politics Crime & Justice

Daughter of Farmworkers Nabs 9th Circuit Appeals Judgeship

11/15/2023
Ana de Alba, a first-generation Mexican-American who is the daughter of farmworkers, was confirmed by the U.S. Senate to serve as a judge on the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Alba was confirmed by a 48-43 vote.

From CalMatters...

Public Safety Education Elections & Politics Government

Backlash Politics: How Conservatives Have Success Rolling Back California Progressivism

11/14/2023
Lacking power at the state level, conservatives are leaning into local governance to protest California’s progressive politics. The fight in Huntington Beach could be a harbinger of what’s to come.

From Salinas Valley Tribune...

Elections & Politics City of Soledad

Chavez Resigns From Soledad City Council Due to Move

11/13/2023
Image for display with article titled Chavez Resigns From Soledad City Council Due to Move

Councilmember Alejandro Chavez has resigned effective Oct. 31 after 13 years of service. The Soledad City Council will discuss filling his seat on Nov. 15.

Monterey County Local News: Elections & Politics