San Benito County Elections & Politics Digest

Conservative activists who worked on the failed recall of Gov. Gavin Newsom in 2021 have launched another attempt, arguing that conditions in California only worsened in the two-and-a-half years since then as Newsom’s attention shifted to national politics.

Of all the races on your ballot, the least information is often available on local judges. Here are some ways to find out more about these candidates.

On one side: Equality California, the nation’s largest statewide LGBTQ advocacy group. On the other side: Protect Kids California, a parents rights organization.

In his decision, a judge agreed that the alleged white nationalists were being selectively prosecuted instead of 'far-left extremist groups, such as Antifa.'

California’s Elections Code provides for County Central Committees for each of the state’s major political parties, to be elected every four years during the presidential primary.

With the dust settled after the Feb. 19 bill introduction deadline, the California Legislature’s count for new bills this year is 2,124.

Members of the board gathered to put forward a resolution that takes responsibility for the history of discrimination against Black San Franciscans.

When and if California legalizes sports gambling, the policy should honor the laws established in partnership with tribes decades ago, says Assemblyman James Ramos.

Immigration enforcement lowers students’ ability to succeed academically and negatively affects their overall learning experience.

BenitoLink hosted an election forum at the Granada Theater in Hollister, and thanks to sponsors was able to record and edit short videos on each race.

BenitoLink’s second fact-checking article of the election season examines a flier titled “20,000 More Houses,” looking into which statements are correct, false, misleading or taken out of context.

Election candidates in San Benito County have reported receiving more than $86,000 in campaign contributions between Jan. 1, 2023, and Jan. 20, 2024.

A suite of five bills introduced this weeks seeks to protect election integrity from bad actors using AI, especially on social media.

Companies and organizations spent more than $480 million on lobbyists who sought to influence the Legislature, the governor’s office and state agencies.

Board of Supervisors hopefuls speak about repairing roads, providing affordable housing and the landfill expansion project.

The new top Democrat in the state Senate announces his leadership team and new committee chairpersons. He rewarded some allies, and filled five of seven leadership posts with women or legislators of color.

The funds would help California ports expand to handle giant wind turbines and other equipment. California’s first offshore wind farms are on a fast track off Humboldt County and Morro Bay.

Incumbent Bea Gonzales and challenger Ignacio Velazquez are running in the District 5 seat, which covers north county between Hwy 25 and Hwy 156, the Hollister Municipal Airport and downtown Hollister.

Here’s where they stand on the economy, crime and the border.

California Republican Rep. Tom McClintock bucked his party to vote against impeaching Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.

California voters this spring are considering a $6.4 billion bond to house people with serious mental health conditions. A similar 2018 ballot measure offers lessons about the obstacles that stand in the way of construction.

There are different rules for the presidential contest and state races on the March 5 ballot. And each party has its own rules.

California’s primary is March 5, and candidates running for county seats can win if they get more than 50% of the votes. If no candidate wins outright, the top two move on to the Nov. 5 general election.

Sen. Mike McGuire of Healdsburg takes over as Democratic leader in the state Senate from Sen. Toni Atkins. He terms out in 2026, so has limited time to push his agenda.

Frank “Tito” Valenzuela, Hollister’s first Latino mayor, died Jan. 3 at age 91. He served on the Hollister City Council from 1964 to 1968 and was mayor in 1964 and 1965.

Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas (D-Hollister) appointed Bob Tiffany, a fourth-generation San Benito County resident and business owner, to the California Transportation Commission.

A sweeping change to California elections took a step forward. The proposed constitutional amendment aims to allow the lieutenant governor to be installed if a governor is recalled.

Lawmakers introduced a package of bills designed to tackle some forms of reparations. The measures may face budget constraints and opposition.

The California Legislative Black Caucus released a list of 14 bills as a first set of reparations for the descendants of African Americans who were enslaved.

Here is your guide to the 2024 California primary election.

Gov. Gavin Newsom crafted the measure to reform California’s mental health system, including a $6.4-billion bond for new facilities.

Faced with a huge budget deficit, legislators are on warning not to expect bills with a high price tag to pass. But that’s not always the goal of introducing bills.