Filing For June Election Ends Friday

Filing for June 6 primary election candidates closes at 5 p.m. Friday, with Pinole resident Virginia Fuller one of the potential candidates to run against Rep. George Miller, Democrat of Martinez.

Miller and Rep. Mike Thompson, Democrat from St. Helena, both have qualified to run for re-election to the U.S. House of Reprensatives. This year Miller is running in the newly-carved 11th Congressional District.

Several candidates have taken out nomination papers to run against Miller, but had not yet filed by Wednesday night. Among them are Democrats Cheryl Sudduth of Richmond and John Charles Fitzgerald of Concord, Republicans Fuller and Kelley Shane Swanson of Fairfield, and Green Party member David Gesinger of El Cerrito.

Martinez City Councilman Mike Menesini has taken out papers to run against Contra Costa County Supervisor Federal Glover of Pittsburg in the newly redistricted 5th supevisorial seat, which extends Glover's former all-East County seat into West Contra Costa, including half of Pinole. 

Glover has powerful backing from East County Democratic interests and labor unions, which he will need to combat the well-known Menesini, a Republican who is a former long-term mayor of Martinez who has run for numerous other seats. He has not yet announced supporters. The seat is technically non-partisan.

Thompson's former all-north-state district has been compacted and moved south to become the 5th District. He also is heavily favored for re-election. Randy Loftin a Republican from Napa, has taken out papers to run for the seat.

State Assemblywoman Susan Bonilla of Concord, has qualified to seek re-election in what is now the 14th Assembly District. So far she has no opposition.

Under a new "open primary" election law, candidates for non-partisan seats do not  have to list their party affiliations on the ballot, but prominent incumbents are expected to do so. Those who are opposed may face the second-highest vote-getter in November, regardless of party affiliation. 

Other partisan offices for membership on county political party central committees also will be decided in June. Candidates must run in districts that correspond to the new supervisorial districts. Central committees aid state party committees in registering voters and getting out the vote on election days. 

Non-partisan candidates for county Superior Court judge seats are also on the June ballot, with most incumbents are seeking re-election without opposition. 

Filing opens in July for regional and local races on the November ballot, including the Pinole City Council. The seats occupied by Councilman Pete Murray, currently serving as mayor, and Councilman Roy Swearingen expire in December. Filing also opens in July for candidates in school districts and special districts such as water and sanitary districts, BART and others.