Lake County Democrats announce endorsements for Nov. 5 election
The Lake County Democratic Central Committee (LCDCC) is proud to announce its official local endorsements for the upcoming November 5 Election. After a comprehensive evaluation process, the LCDCC has selected a group of candidates who demonstrate exceptional leadership and commitment to the future of Lake County.
The endorsement process was carried out by the Elections Committee, which engaged in outreach to candidates, thorough review of each application, and one-on-one interviews. Following these evaluations, the Committee presented its recommendations to the full Lake County Democratic Central Committee for a final vote by all voting members.
“The LCDCC is excited to support these candidates as they work towards shaping a bright and prosperous future for everyone in Lake County,” commented Sissa Harris, Chair of the Lake County Democratic Central Committee. “Their diverse backgrounds have prepared them to bring innovative solutions and dedicated public service to their respective roles”.
The LCDCC is excited to support these candidates as they work towards shaping a bright and prosperous future for everyone in Lake County. The endorsed candidates are poised to bring innovative solutions and dedicated public service to their respective roles.
County Supervisor, District 1
John Hess
Website: hessforsupervisor.com
Yuba College Community College Board Area 7
Doug Harris
Website: http://re-electdougharristrustee.com/
Lake County Board of Education TA 5
Itzia Rico
Clearlake City Council
David Claffey
Website: https://www.davidclaffey.com/
Mary Wilson
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MWCityCouncil
Lakeport City Council
Christina Price
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563155789171
Christina Price for Lakeport City Council
Kelseyville Unified School District
Sabrina Andrus
Website: http://sabrinaforkvusd.com/
Gilbert Rangel
Email: mailto:Gilbert4KVUSD@gmail.com
Konocti Unified School District
Zabdy Neria
Website: www.zabdyneria.com
Middletown Unified School District
Frederic Lahey
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565089118022
Frederic Lahey for MUSD School Board
Nathan Willis
Email: mailto:nathanwillis4musdschoolboard@gmail.com
For more information about the endorsed candidates and their platforms, please visit https://lakecountydemocrats.org, or send an email to democratsoflakecounty@gmail.com.
Please follow our Facebook page to see updates on campaign events and local meet and greets.
Claffey: Hess brings vision and capability
Lake County has some amazing people, and the five candidates that have volunteered to take on the challenge of replacing Supervisor Simon and representing District 1 are no exception.
From my perspective, I would like to see someone in this position that not only has the vision of what the district could be but is also capable of delivering.
As an example, Clearlake’s rise has been meteoric over the last five years. Thanks to our talented and dedicated city staff, we have given our downtown park a facelift, slashed crime, fully funded a plan to resurface and pave more than 50 miles of roads, and forged some major economic development victories in housing, hospitality, and healthcare.
Most notable, the long-delayed redevelopment of the former Pearce Field site into a commercial hub finally began last year after decades of hurdles. That can only happen when vision meets capability.
The city makes up a substantial slice of District 1, and much of the development I just described will have a direct impact on the residents that will be represented by one of these five candidates.
Our city needs a supervisor who will value the incredible strides we’ve made in improving our community and stand side by side with city leadership to ensure that momentum doesn’t falter. Someone who appreciates that a healthy, vibrant Clearlake is a benefit to the district and all of Lake County.
I believe John Hess is that candidate.
John has served on the Lake County Planning Commission for the last eight years and understands how complex and challenging it can be to bring new opportunities to a rural county. There is an appreciation for the care and effort that has gone into the city’s most recent wins, and support for even more.
Add to that his unmatched government experience serving members of both parties. He has an already well-worn path for dialog with our state and federal representatives and his three endorsements from those officials are clear evidence of his connection. I haven’t quite figured out how his work around nuclear arms control could benefit Lake County, but it’s a pretty good indication that his judgment and leadership have long been trusted.
Finally, it’s clear he has the best interests of our county at his core. I encourage you to watch one of the many forums online in which these five superb candidates have participated. John continues to impress me with the depth of his answers. For someone who is not an incumbent, his grasp of the pressing challenges facing district 1 is evident.
John is my top choice for District 1 and I’m pleased to be able to support him.
David Claffey is a member of the Clearlake City Council. He lives in Clearlake, California.
Claffey: Sammel is a leader and a connector
I support Laura McAndrews Sammel.
It didn’t take long for Laura to make a positive impression on me. Within the first few weeks after taking over the Lake County Chamber of Commerce, Laura was everywhere. She met with city and county officials, business owners, and community leaders, most coming away with the sense that she truly cared about their needs and objectives.
As the months and years passed, that motivation never wavered. Just recently she joined a Tourism Improvement District board meeting with a great idea, a plan to execute, and the confidence to field difficult questions without losing sight of her mission.
No one can argue that she isn’t tapped into the challenges facing Lake County. She has been a tireless advocate for small business, she has a clear commitment to increasing and improving housing options, and her human resources background will no doubt help the board as they tackle the issues around recruiting and retention of county staff.
I support Laura because I know her character, her work ethic, and her desire to make Lake County a better place. Those qualities shine through in everything she takes on, county supervisor included. She will be a superb advocate for District 4 and has already forged substantial relationships across the county that can’t easily be replicated.
David Claffey is a member of the Clearlake City Council. He lives in Clearlake, California.
Rallying around difference makers
Last weekend I had the honor of participating in the Lake County Vet Connect event at the Clearlake Senior Center. The event bridges homeless veterans with the services and supplies they may have difficulty accessing. Since COVID-19 put a lot of happenings on hold, this was the first time this year that the organization was able to gather and put on this vital event. I’m so glad they did, and pleased they invited me to help.
One of the reasons I am running for city council is the great respect I have for our local officials. Last year, as a member of the Clearlake Rotary, I volunteered for their annual Christmas dinner sorting donated clothes outside and carrying big boxes around. Little things, but things that all add up to a special event. As I stood outside organizing the bags of apparel, shoes, jackets, etc., I couldn’t help but notice that every single one of our city council members were there helping. Joyce Overton was delivering clothes, Dirk Slooten, Russ Cremer, and Russ Perdock were all in the back cooking or serving food, and Phil Harris was organizing the student volunteers. All five were out on a chilly Saturday morning (in a non-election year) giving back. I was really impressed.
Many of you are already doing a lot. Many have also contributed, but felt it was a lost cause. I understand that feeling and it is our enemy. I’m committed to not only laying the infrastructure for improved community engagement through automated workflows and collaboration, but I will also to use my platform and experience to shine a light on all the progress we are making and will make. To shine a light on the people who are making a difference.
We have a lot of issues in Clearlake that don’t require the city council to lead the charge. Problems that don’t need millions of dollars to solve. Daily concerns that can be advanced if the community is able to rally around those best suited to help. Whether it’s sorting clothes, picking up trash, handing out candy, or just listening, every little bit helps. I will support you. I’ll carry the heavy boxes for you so you can keep changing the lives of people here in Clearlake. Just let me know what you need.
Regarding the expansion of cannabis permits
Tomorrow the city council will discuss potentially expanding the number of cannabis cultivation, manufacturing, or delivery permits issued to prospective business owners. One thing missing from the discussion during the prior city council meeting was the short term and long term benefits of each permit type. The sense I got from the discussion was that the council expects to open up the permitting process, letting the zoning restrict excessive development. I understand the impulse for letting the market determine what is most lucrative for the permit holder, but we’re likely not adding new zoning for cannabis in the near future. These permit recipients will be locked in for many years.
It was touched on in the last city council meeting, but we need a clearer picture on the number of job, good jobs in particular, each permit type yields on average, and of course revenue. Revenue is great, but revenue and jobs can potentially be better. Opening it up is a fine option, I’m just wondering if we could qualify a better approach.
UPDATE: The council decided to open up the permitting process for those three categories. I support this decision.
A unique opportunity to lead in Clearlake
With only two candidates certified to run for three open seats on the Clearlake City Council, councilmembers decided on Wednesday to move forward with an election that would require at least one qualified write-in candidate to secure the third opening. This was in lieu of making appointments to the dias.
It’s a motion I support, as the appointment of the two ballot qualified candidates--myself and councilmember Joyce Overton--would limit the council’s ability to appoint future members if ever necessary. It’s also the right move for our community to have an open, transparent election, and it gives our residents the chance to rally around new potential write-in candidates.
The results of the nomination process may lead some to believe that there is a lack of community engagement in Clearlake, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. There are countless people working hard to make a difference everyday. It’s just happening behind the scenes. From our school board reimagining what education looks like in the “New Normal” to our Chamber of Commerce and local businesses fighting to keep our commercial districts open, it’s not surprising that the nomination period has been overshadowed by COVID-19 but it doesn’t have to define this election cycle.
Our city is full of talented, intelligent, compassionate individuals. This is a moment where someone needs to step forward, raise a hand, and commit to being a positive agent of change in Clearlake.
Ahead of us is an incredible opportunity to start writing the next chapter for Clearlake. We have a dedicated staff at city hall that has excelled in the face of disasters, lack of funding, and a pandemic over the years, along with a group of city councilors that have very complimentary backgrounds. Every interaction I’ve had with Mayor Russ Cremer, Vice Mayor Dirk Slooten, and Councilmember Overton has been positive and devoid of self interest. Whether or not you agree with their policies, it is a group that truly cares about the welfare of our residents. I expect them to be exceptional partners over the next four years.
This is a unique moment for our city. I decided to run for the Clearlake City Council because I have the background to break the stalemate we’ve had with some of our more difficult challenges around business development and housing. With a lack of political opportunists gunning for the third seat this election cycle, I feel we have a window to rally around another difference maker in our community.
If you’ve been on the fence about running for public office, now is the time to raise your hand with me. Let’s be the catalyst for the change we want to see in Clearlake.