On Oct. 14, the Santa Barbara County Firefighters Association (Local 2046) publicly endorsed Senior Deputy District Attorney John MacKinnon in his campaign for Santa Barbara County Superior Court Judge. In a press release, association president Rob Heckman said, “… Local firefighters know first hand the need for a strong and competent Judge to serve on the Superior Court. During his career John MacKinnon has shown a strong dedication to public safety and service, and has a keen understanding of the modern day needs of our justice system.” With more than 225 members, the Santa Barbara County Firefighters Association is the largest firefighters association within Santa Barbara County. The Santa Maria and Lompoc firefighters associations also endorse MacKinnon, as do the Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, Guadalupe, and Latino police officers associations; and the Santa Barbara County sheriffs and district attorneys associations.
The North Santa Barbara County Women’s Political Committee recently announced its support for candidates and propositions slated for the Nov. 4 ballot. The committee endorses Jed Beebe for Santa Barbara County Superior Court Judge, and Doreen Farr for Santa Barbara County 3rd District Supervisor. On the statewide level, the committee endorses incumbent Lois Capps in the race for U.S. Congress, 23rd District; Hannah-Beth Jackson for California State Senate, 19th District; incumbent Pedro Nava for California State Assembly, 35th District; and Robert Cuthbert for California State Assembly, 33rd District. Also, the committee endorsed Dulcie Sinn for Lompoc mayor and Cecilia Martner for Lompoc City Council. The committee supports Measure A (the transportation sales tax initiative), and supports voting no on Propositions 4 and 8. The North Santa Barbara County Women’s Political Committee is a nonpartisan organization that advocates for educational equality, access to health care, environmental protection, reproductive rights, pay equity, adequate housing for all as well as lesbian gay and transgender rights.
Also jumping on the endorsement bandwagon is the Santa Barbara County Republican Party. According to a press release, party endorsements include Republicans John McCain for U.S. President; Matt Kokkonen for U.S. Congress, 23rd District; incumbent Elton Gallegly for U.S. Congress, 24th District; Tony Strickland for California State Senate, 19th District; and Sam Blakeslee for California State Assembly, 33rd District. Locally, the party endorses Steve Pappas for Santa Barbara County 3rd District Supervisor. As for Lompoc city officials, the party endorses incumbent Dick Dewees for mayor, and incumbents Will Schuyler and DeWayne Holmdalh for City Council. Lastly, the party’s stance is no on all propositions, except for Propositions 8 and 11.
This article appears in Oct 23-30, 2008.