With matchups in local, state and federal races set during the June primary and reported in the Mountain Messenger’s June 9th edition, Californians have been subjected to a long and arduous general election season. However, the incessant drone of political ads and partisan mudslinging will at least die off for a little while after the general election this coming Tuesday. So, without further ado, allow us to present the state of the races.

In the marquee matchup of the night, state senator Brian Dahle (R-Bieber) is running against incumbent Governor Gavin Newsom (D-San Francisco) in what has been called the longshot bid of the century. Dahle hopes to harness discontent over the recent crime wave, wildfire outbreaks, homelessness and the cost of living to make the race somewhat competitive, while Newsom has all but ignored his opponent in favor of attacking Governors Greg Abbott (R-TX) and Ron DeSantis (R-FL) in the leadup to a likely presidential bid in two years. While Newsom’s victory is all but outright guaranteed, Dahle is likely to be the first Republican candidate for Governor to garner more than 40 percent of the vote since Meg Whitman in 2010.

On the undercard, only two races actually seem somewhat competitive. Incumbent Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond (NPP-Richmond) is being challenged by educator and policy analyst Lance Christensen (NPP-Wheatland); Christensen hopes widespread dismay over California’s educational standards will help him triumph in this officially nonpartisan race. On the other hand, Hoover Institute Fellow Lanhee Chen (R-Palo Alto) has gained widespread support in his race for State Controller against Board of Equalization Member Malia Cohen (D-San Francisco), including endorsements from every major newspaper in the state – the first time in recent memory where the Los Angeles Times and San Francisco Chronicle have endorsed a Republican in any race.

Other statewide races are far less interesting or competitive, including the contest for both partial and full terms as U.S. Senator, where incumbent Alex Padilla (D-Los Angeles) is likely to cruise to victory over attorney Mark Meuser (R-Pasadena). Secretary of State Shirley Webber (D-La Mesa) is heavily favored against businessman Rob Bernosky (R-Hollister), as are Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis (D-Sacramento) over Deputy Mayor Angela Underwood Jacobs (R-Lancaster), Attorney General Rob Bonta (D-Alameda) over former Assistant Attorney General Nathan Hochman (R-Los Angeles), and Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara (D-Santa Monica) over cybersecurity specialist Robert Howell (R-San Jose). Treasurer Fiona Ma (D-San Francisco) is also likely to defeat accountant Jack Guerrero (R-Cuadhy) despite a history of sexual misconduct allegations from a female staffer.

More locally, physician Kermit Jones (D-Roseville) is challenging Assemblyman Kevin Kiley (R-Rocklin) in the race for Congressional District 3, an R-leaning swing seat stretching from Lake Almanor to Death Valley. Jones has started at a competitive disadvantage due to the environment, but has one advantage over Kiley – a unified party base. In contrast, the controversial Kiley emerged from a bitter primary contest against Sacramento County Sheriff Scott Jones (R-Colfax), who was backed by Representatives Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale) and Tom McClintock (R-Elk Grove) after Kiley’s repeated acts of disrespectful conduct towards McClintock’s late wife Lori. Some local Republicans have also referred to Kiley as “an electoral liability” who will only be carried into office due to President Joe Biden’s unpopularity, and fear that he could badly lose the seat in 2024.

Incumbent Assemblywoman Megan Dahle (R-Bieber) has run a virtually nonexistent campaign against community figure Belle Starr Sandwith (D-Loyalton) for re-election to represent Assembly District 1. Sandwith has run a very progressive and left-wing campaign in the heavily conservative district, but hopes to crack the nut of partisanship by focusing on the issues of wildfire danger and rural healthcare.

Dahle has recently declined to debate Sandwith, seemingly dismissing her as an unserious candidate, but will we see a surprise in AD-01 over her casual campaign for re-election?

Most local races were concluded in June, with the most notable victories including incumbent Sheriff Todd Johns defeating former sergeant Dwight Cline to remain Plumas County Sheriff and retiree Lila Heuer defeating property manager Gerald Sanders to replace the retiring Peter Huebner as District Two Supervisor in Sierra County. However, city council elections in Portola and Loyalton, school board elections in Plumas Unified and Sierra-Plumas Joint Unified school districts, and trustee elections for Feather River College will also be on this year’s general election ballot – some of them with more interesting implications than others.

With the decision of appointed incumbent Tom Mooers of Sierra City to not run for a full term as SPJUSD’s District Two Trustee, rancher and Long Valley Charter teacher Annie Tipton and Downieville Junior-Senior High teacher Adrienne Anila have thrown their respective hats in the ring. Tipton is running on a unified ticket with District Four candidate and accountant Kelly Champion, who is running against Loyalton parent Jesse Whitley. Anila is backed by the local teacher union, while Champion and Tipton are considered reform advocates; Whitley is not affiliated with either group.

The 2022 General Election will be held nationwide on November 8th, deciding control over thousands of local, state and federal offices across the country and the balance of power in state capitols and Washington DC for the next two years. California’s elections are held largely by mail-in paper ballot, so prospective voters are advised to mail their ballots well before election day, although ballots received for up to 10 days after election day will be counted so long as they are postmarked by the 8th. Whatever the results, the Mountain Messenger will be sure to have them in the next edition.