PD Editorial: Press Democrat’s voting guide for the June 7 election

Here are our recommendations for selected offices on the June 7 ballot.

SONOMA COUNTY

Sheriff — Eddie Engram

All three candidates promise to change the culture of the Sheriff’s Office, but only Eddie Engram has experience at the executive level. Engram also is the only candidate who has run a jail, a major responsibility for the sheriff. As assistant sheriff in charge of the detention division, he manages 280 employees and an $81 million budget. Engram also has a 360-degree perspective after growing up in crime-plagued East Palo Alto before starting a career in law enforcement.

To read The Press Democrat’s editorial, click here.

Supervisor, 2nd District — David Rabbitt

David Rabbitt, the longest serving member of the Board of Supervisors, was on the job during the Great Recession, unprecedented wildfires, punishing droughts and a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic. He helped get SMART over the starting line and the Highway 101 widening project on a path to the finish line. He has delivered for his constituents as a supervisor and a member of the SMART and Golden Gate Bridge boards as well as the Metropolitan Transportation Commission and the Regional Climate Authority.

To read The Press Democrat’s editorial, click here.

Supervisor, 4th District — James Gore

James Gore was the first county official to publicly acknowledge that warning systems failed miserably on the first night of the 2017 fire. Since then, he has helped secure and direct millions of dollars to vegetation management and fire detection systems. He supported consolidation of small north county fire districts into a unified firefighting force with a dedicated source of tax revenue. Gore and his board colleagues also have substantially increased spending on road maintenance.

To read The Press Democrat’s editorial, click here.

Superior Court judge, Office No. 6 — Laura Passaglia McCarthy

Laura Passaglia McCarthy already is on the bench and fulfilling most of the duties of a judge, having been appointed last fall by Sonoma County judges to serve as a Superior Court commissioner. Before her appointment, Passaglia McCarthy was a deputy district attorney handling sexual assault and human trafficking cases in Sonoma County and Alameda County.

To read The Press Democrat’s editorial, click here.

Superior Court judge, Office No. 9 — Oscar Pardo

Oscar Pardo is a civil litigator specializing in complex insurance cases. He would bring a wealth of civil experience to a bench long dominated by prosecutors and defense lawyers. A founding member of Los Cien, a civic and business organization, he aspires to be the first Latino elected to the bench in Sonoma County.

To read The Press Democrat’s editorial, click here.

Superintendent of schools — Amie Carter

Carter, a former principal at Rancho Cotate High in Rohnert Park, is the only candidate with experience in a county office of education. She has a doctorate in organizational leadership change, which aligns with the county superintendent’s role as adviser to district superintendents on academic and financial issues and a leader in developing strategies to improve student performance. She also has a credential in cross-cultural and academic development — valuable knowledge for any educator in a county with a large proportion of English-language learners.

To read The Press Democrat’s editorial, click here.

CALIFORNIA

State Assembly, District 12 — Damon Connolly

Damon Connolly brings extensive experience on topics salient to North Bay voters, including transportation, fire prevention, open space and energy. Connolly also has a breadth of experience in local and state government unmatched by his opponents, having served on a school board, a city council and as a deputy state attorney general in addition to his two terms as a Marin County supervisor. He also is a member of the Metropolitan Transportation Commission.

To read The Press Democrat’s editorial, click here.

You can send letters to the editor to letters@pressdemocrat.com.