Incumbents, challengers file to run for June election

Potential candidates had until 5 p.m. Friday to file nomination papers unless they are running for an office in which there is no incumbent. The extended deadline applies to positions including 21st District Assembly seat, the county assessor-county-clerk-recorder, district attorney and treasurer-tax collector.

But while voters must wait another five days for a fixed roster of candidates in those races, they can be assured of the pools for controller, coroner and sheriff. Of those, only Coroner Robert Foucrault has a contested race, facing off with Stacie Lynn Nevares, a former office assistant who unsuccessfully challenged him once before.

Both Sheriff Greg Munks and Controller Tom Huening are running unopposed.

As of noon March 11, the Elections Office reported a total of 94 candidates for all positions from local offices through U.S. Congress. An online roster shows 120 candidates but not all reside in San Mateo County which explains the difference.

Friday was also the deadline for ballot measures and one jurisdiction has done so, according to Chief Elections Officer Warren Slocum.

While appointed county Supervisor Carole Groom has only one contender to retain her office — Daniel D. Kaul of Belmont — five are hoping to take over for termed out supervisor Rich Gordon. San Carlos Councilman Matt Grocott, former sheriff and current Sequoia Healthcare District Board President Don Horsley, coastside activist April Vargas, perennial candidate Jack Hickey and used car salesman Michael Stogner have all announced intentions to run. As of Friday, Horsley, Vargas and Hickey qualified.

Treasurer is also a crowded race, with four hoping to take over for retiring Treasurer Lee Buffington. Former Burlingame mayor Joe Galligan and deputy treasurer Sandie Arnott have filed and qualified while investment advisor Richard Guilbault and community college trustee Dave Mandelkern have filed.

U.S. Rep. Jackie Speier, D-San Mateo, filed her paperwork and qualified as did Republican candidate Mike Maloney and Libertarian Mark Paul Williams. Republican Mike Thompson also filed papers but has yet to qualify.

U.S. Rep. Anna Eshoo, D-Atherton, filed and qualified. Libertarian Paul Lazaga filed paperwork but as of Friday had yet to qualify.

State Sen. Leland Yee, D-San Francisco/San Mateo and Republican candidates Jacob Hamlin and Doo Sup Park filed. State Assemblyman Jerry Hill, D-San Mateo, filed and qualified. Libertarian Gary Tutin and Republican Alberto Waisman also filed.

With state Assemblyman Ira Ruskin, D-Redwood City, being termed out, the three candidates for the office have until Wednesday to file. However, all three Democratic candidates — county Supervisor Rich Gordon, venture capitalist Josh Becker and former Palo Alto mayor Yoriko Kishimoto — have filed as has Republican Greg Conlon and Libertarian Ray M. Bell Jr.

Similarly, Chief Deputy District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe has already filed to run for district attorney and Anne Campbell, superintendent of the Portola Valley Elementary School District, has filed to run for county superintendent of schools.

County Supervisor Mark Church field to run for assessor-county clerk-recorder. He is yet unopposed although the deadline is extended.

Offices attracting less attention include the San Mateo County Superior Court and partisan central committee candidates. Incumbent judges running for re-election are Marta Diaz, Mark Forcum, Marie Weiner, Joseph Scott, Barbara Mallach, George Miram and Richard Livermore.

Filed candidates for the Democractic Central Committee District 1 are incumbent Nick Akers, Ashleigh Evans, David Burruto, Sandra Lang, Hanley Chan and Dave Pine. District 2 candidates are Rick Bonilla, Craig C. Patterson, Clifford S. Robbins, Nancy Yarbrough and Ginny Stewart. District 3 candidates are incumbent Jon S. Levinson, Gregory Loew, Carole G. Dorshkind, Cecily Harris and Kalimah Salahuddin. District 4 candidates are Chris Balme, Kelly Fergusson and Katie Ferrick. District 5 candidates are incumbents Marian Mann, Michael Guingona and K. Annette Hipona. Also running are non-incumbents Judith A. Christensen and Dana Smith.

Filed candidates for the Republican Central Committee District 1 are incumbents Jason Scalese, Elsie Gufler and Robert C. Miller. Also, Karen Curd, Angini Kumar, Karen Weiss and Marsha Kunz. District 2 candidates are Helen Waisman, Alberto Waisman, Thomas J. Weissmiller, Noe Chavez, Jim Tomlin, Jacob Hamlin and incumbent Joe Sanchis. District 3 candidates are incumbents Michael Schwab, Connie Chaltas,  Paul C. Cowan, John Oehlert, Dennis R. Burke, Virginia Chang Kiraly and Greg Conlon. District 4 candidates are Rick Ciardella, Henry E. Lawrence, Neil R. Shroff, Catherine Carlton, John Gillespie and Chengzhi "George” Yang.

Green Party Central Committee candidates countywide are Sanda Everette, Gloria A. Purcell, Barry J. Marchessault, Michael Batchelder and Cynthia Ann Asrir.

The close of the candidate filing period begins a 10-day public review period when the public can review resolutions, ordinances, impartial analyses, tax rate statements, primary arguments and candidate statements.

A full roster of local candidates, updated nightly throughout the extended period, is available at www.shapethefuture.org.

Michelle Durand can be reached by e-mail: michelle@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 102.