Election Endorsements

Candidate and Proposition Recommendation
June 8, 2010 General Election

CAPA is nonpartisan. Our Board's candidate recommendations are based on, whenever feasible, candidate interviews, qualification analyses, and various debate forums. Our Board Members also studied, analyzed, and debated the merits of each Proposition. We make our recommendations in the interests of CAPA and its members. A 2/3 majority vote of the Board is required for each endorsement. These results are published as guidelines for your use.

State of California

Attorney General - Ted Lieu
Ted has been a highly respected and accomplished military prosecutor and California Assembly Member. He has stood up to powerful special interests and authored landmark bills in the areas of mortgage reform, healthcare access, domestic violence prevention, and consumer protection. He has also repeatedly fought for civil rights of all Americans.

State Board of Equalization District 1 - Betty Yee
Betty is the incumbent Chairwoman of the Board. During her tenure, she has been working hard to ensure California's tax laws are interpreted and applied correctly, fairly, and consistently, and to serve as a responsible steward of nearly $54 billion in annual revenues the Board administers for funding vital programs such as public education, health care, natural resources/environmental protection, and public safety.

State Superintendent of Public Instruction - Tom Torlakson
Tom has been strong supporter of CAPA since CAPA's inception. Tom is a highly respected teacher and an accomplished legislator, as our county supervisor, state assembly member, and state senator.

State Assembly District 11 - Susan Bonilla
Susan is a former high school English teacher and our current county supervisor. She was endorsed by CAPA in her previous election. Her policies are aligned with CAPA's mission.

State Assembly District 20 - Garrett Yee
Garrett is a current trustee of the Ohlone College Board. He has excellent record and with expansive experience in city and regional issues.

Contra Costa County

Assessor - Gus Kramer
Gus is highly experienced and with proven track record. He is known to be proactive in making positive changes in current struggling economy.

District Attorney - Elle Falahat
Elle is best known as a member of the prosecuting team of the Polly Klaas case. She has fresh ideas and courage to make positive changes. She is an outsider with inside knowledge.

County Supervisor District 4 - Mike McGill
Mike is a highly respected professional engineer. He is knowledgeable and experienced in various county issues with a focus in budgetary matters.

Alameda County

County Supervisor District 3 - Wilma Chan
Wilma is viewed as by far the best qualified among the four candidates on the ballot. CAPA has endorsed her in her previous elections. She is a former County Supervisor and Assembly Member. She is well known to get things done.

Statewide Propositions

Proposition 13: Limits on Property Tax Assessment. Seismic Retrofitting of Existing Buildings: YES
Helps current building owners retrofit their buildings and avoid immediately reassessment of their property tax.

Proposition 14: Top-Two Candidate Open Primary: YES
This proposal would place all candidates for a race in the same pool, regardless of party affiliation or "independency". This ensures that public interests are served, rather than politicians or interests favored by specific political parties.

Proposition 15: California Fair Election Act: NO
Proposition 15 would allow public funding of campaigns starting with the Secretary of State candidates in 2014 and 2018. This "piecemeal" implementation of public funding is confusing and does not go far enough.

Proposition 16: Imposes New Two-Thirds Voter Approval Requirement for Local Public Electricity Providers; NO
The CAPA Board opposes this supermajority vote requirement that would allow a minority to prevent decisions on electric supply favored by a majority of the people to be served.

Proposition 17: Auto Insurance Pricing: NO
This is an unnecessary and confusing addition to Prop 103, which has benefited consumers with overall lower premiums.