Tuesday election endorsements

No, not from me but from a more "reputable" sources, the Contra Costa Times and the San Francisco Chronicle:

Congressional District 10: Both newspapers give a thumbs up to Lt. John Garamendi. The Times says: "Garamendi's long record of service in public office makes him the best choice to represent residents in the district stretching from Fairfield through much of Contra Costa and into Livermore."

Walnut Creek's Measure I (what I'm calling the Neiman Marcus measure, even though, yes, I know, the intiative officially doesn't guarantee Neiman Marcus coming to Broadway Plaza, just a new department store): The Times says Yes.

Acalanes Union High School District's Measure G: The Times says Yes, because the district would be devastated if its $189 per parcel tax is not extended.

Walnut Creek School District's Measure H: The Times says Yes, because this extension of the $82 per parcel tax "is more critical than ever for operations."

Red hot race to fill Tauscher's seat: Which of 14 candidates do you like?

Sure, the more than dozen candidates vying to replace Rep. Ellen Tauscher in the 10th congressional district have just filed to run. And maybe, like me, you’ve just started to sort through their resumes and qualifications.

But if you already know who you want to represent you in Washington, or have an inkling of who you might vote for, share your thoughts, arguments, endorsements.

Here’s my handy-dandy list of candidates—provided with the help of handy-dandy candidate lists from the Contra Costa Times Lisa Vorderbrueggen and the San Francisco Chronicle. Speaking of Lisa Vorderbrueggen, her blog can keep you up to date on some of the behind-the-scenes drama (like an Alamo nonpartisan's suit over the signature deadline for filing) of what appears to be a very exciting, dramatic race.

Just look at some of the high-profile politicians going for this seat. The New York Times made note of this contentious race.

There are some “usual suspects” in East Bay politics, such as State Senator Mark DeSaulnier and Assemblywoman Joan Buchanan. Then there is Lt. Governor John Garimendi.

There are also some new, scrappy “outsider” candidates, such as Adriel Hampton. He’s a former journalist from Dublin who kicked off his campaign at the historic Walnut Creek home of Julia and Elizabeth Maxwell next door to Civic Park. The city had wanted to tear their home down to make more room for its new library and parking garage, and Hampton was at the forefront of helping to save it.

Then there’s Anthony Woods, known nationally now as the “gay Iraq war veteran,” whom I wrote about in a previous blog.

Sorry, GOPers, but the most compelling candidates so far come from the left side of the aisle. But who knows? Republicans Chris Bunch, Gary Clift, David Harmer, Mark Loos, David Peterson, John Toth, or the Green Party’s Jeremy Cloward could rise up in the public consciousness.

Basics of the race: The special primary is September 1, and voters can select a candidate from any party. If one candidate wins a simple majority, that candidate wins the election. If not, the top vote-getter from each political party will appear on the Nov. 3 ballot, which will also be open to all voters. Whoever receives the most votes on that ballot wins. Visit the California Secretary of State's office for more information on the race.

DEMOCRATS

Joan Buchanan, assemblywoman and educator, 56, Alamo
Also: First in her family to graduate from college, former executive at Delta Dental, long-time member of the San Ramon Valley school district, mother of five, winner of California Teachers Association State Gold Award.

Quote: "My top priority is getting people back to work. Sustaining economic growth means making education a national priority. I have the financial know-how and educational experience to lead on these issues."

Mark DeSaulnier, state senator, 57,
Also: Single father of two sons, completed 21 marathons, long-time restaurant owner, previously served as Concord mayor, Contra Costa supervisor, and state Assemblyman.
Quote: "Throughout my life and career, I’ve fought for the issues that matter most: affordable health care, the welfare of children and families, smart growth that improves both our transportation infrastructure and our quality of living and the preservation of our precious natural resources."

John Garamendi, lieutenant governor and rancher, 64, Walnut Grove

Also: UC regent; former California insurance commissioner, U.S. Interior Department deputy secretary, state assembly member, state senator, Peace Corps volunteer who served in Ethiopia, Eritrea, and the Congo wars; father of six, grandfather of nine.
Quote: “I'm a passionate advocate for education ... I wrote the green legislation that led to solar and wind energy development here in California, and as a longtime rancher in the Delta, I know the challenges we face over water issues and climate change. Right now, many Californians are hurting--from job losses, foreclosures, and the high cost of health care. I see a bright future for our state, at the center of a new

industrial revolution that brings thousands of new jobs and economic growth.”

Adriel Hampton, former journalist, San Francisco City Attorney’s Office investigator, 31, Dublin
Also: First candidate to announce his campaign via Twitter; member of the Chickasaw Nation, first of his family to earn a B.A. degree; supports legalization marijuana; lives in affordable housing next to the Dublin BART station, father of two young sons.
Quote: "We can have a healthy government built on the common dreams we share. What it will take is breaking from the mold of political musical chairs, where the same handful of candidates are considered the front runners for whatever open office comes up. I am running because I have a vision for our America. My vision goes beyond partisan battles and to the heart of “government by the people, of the people, for the people.” I am just a guy, but I am a guy with a dream. … We must invest ourselves in an America where hard work and merit still lead to prosperity, where the next generations are as lucky as we are, in an America where anything is possible.”

Anthony Woods, economic policy analyst, 29, Fairfield

Also: Native of Travis Air Force base, son of single mother, grew up without health insurance, graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, served two tours in Iraq, won Bronze star, graduate of Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, honorably discharged after he defied military’s “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell Policy.”

Quote: “I was born and raised right here in our community. I’ve lived the fight for a quality education and an economy that works for all Americans. I lived the uncertainty of being without health care for most of my life. I spent nine years in the military, and two of them on the battle fields of Iraq. I know the challenges our veterans are facing when

they come home first hand. And I have lived the fight to end discrimination from the world’s greatest democracy once and for all. And that is both the perspective, and the spirit of urgency and possibility that I will bring to the floor of the United States congress.”

REPUBLICANS
Chris Bunch, small-business owner, 31, Fairfield
Also: Born in Texas, adopted at birth, son of a single father; US Air Force veteran who served in Afghanistan and Iraq; father of four, “unapologetic” conservative, NRA member, against same-sex marriage.
Quote: "As a nation, we are now facing challenges that are unprecedented in our history. Our problems are monstrous in both size and complexity. Nevertheless, the most complex of problems often require us to simply refocus on the fundamentals, on our first principals, for us to look to our magnificent Constitution and the Founder’s intent, and to simply rely on some good old fashion common sense."

Gary Clift, retired law-enforcement official, 52, rural Solano County
Also: As dependent of U.S. foreign service officer, grew up in third-world countries; UC Davis graduate; owns small organic farm.
Quote: "The financial future of our country is at risk if the Federal Government follows California’s lead. Federal government has grown too big and expenditures greatly exceed tax revenues. This cannot continue. We need to reduce federal government by cutting the waste and mis-management."

David Harmer, attorney, 47, San Ramon
Also: Brigham Young University law school graduate, one-time counsel to a subcommittee of the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee, appointed by Senator Orrin Hatch, father of four, kids’ soccer coach.
Quote: "I’m aghast at the pace with which Congress is mortgaging our future. I stand for a desperately needed return to prudence and thrift in public expenditures."

Mark Loos, small business owner, 47, Livermore
Also: Operated a care home for special needs children in early 90s, father of four, grandfather of one
Quote: “The main goal of this campaign is to bring to you, the voter, the one that is paying the tab, 100 percent control over the process. Not only do we need a transparent government, but we need the voters to be the owners of the system. I will be your direct voice into the closed-door meetings. I will be your outspoken representative on the issues.”

David Peterson, my-Representative.org founder, 46, Walnut Creek
Quote: “I am very good at improving processes and reducing costs. After 15 years of building accountability systems for Fortune 500 companies, the federal government is the last great frontier of excess.”

John Toth, physician, 50, Pleasant Hill
Quote: "I have served as president of two medical associations and am the only Republican to serve in elective office. I will work to preserve our liberties."

OTHER PARTIES
Green Party: Jeremy Cloward, adjunct political science professor, 38, of Pleasant Hill
Also: Reared in Pleasant Hill, graduate of College Park High School, taught at Ygnacio Valley High in Concord, member of the American Civil Liberties Union, Amnesty International, Doctors Without Borders, Human Rights Watch, the NAACP, the United Farm Workers of America, and the United Nations Children’s Fund.
Quote: "I am running because the issues that are important to all of us, healthcare, education, and the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, need to be addressed by people and a party that are actually willing to address them."

American Independent: Jerome Denham, insurance agent, 73, Walnut Creek

Peace and Freedom: Mary McIlroy, order-taker at courier firm, 49, El Cerrito
Quote: “If elected to Congress, I won't be able to change a thing. I will, however, be a powerful voice of the working class.”

One CD-10 candidate's backstory: a progressive Hollywood scriptwriter's dream

You’re an aspiring Hollywood screen writer and you’re asked to help pen a remake of Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, the classic tale of a young, idealistic political outsider who winds up appointed to a U.S. Senate seat.

Of course, you need to update the tale for 2009 from 1939, in which Mr. Smith (played by James Stewart at his aw-shucks best) is the wholesome head of the Boy Rangers.

You’re an admirer of Aaron Sorkin, best known as the writer and creator of the literate, sharp-edged White House TV drama, The West Wing. You try to think of the kind of 2009 Mr. Smith that Sorkin would devise. Sorkin’s Mr. Smith would be a Democrat, as was his West Wing’s Josiah Bartlett. He would also be well-educated, witty, and charismatic.

But here are the qualities you would add, to enhance his status as an outsider and to show that he's got the tough-guy pull-yourself-up-by-your-bootstraps credibility that would trump conservatives. You would also be keen to show that he possesses personal integrity and is willing to stand up for causes he believes in, even if they might rub some people the wrong way. You would make him:

-- African-American.

-- The son of a single mom who worked as a housekeeper.

-- So determined to rise above his circumstances that he worked hard in school to score good grades and to win a Congressional appointment to West Point—and later admission into the master’s degree program at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government.

-- A young officer who served two tours of duty in Iraq, even though he personally had reservations about the war.

--A young officer who received a Bronze Star for leading his troops into fierce battles and for helping Iraqis rebuild their war-torn nation.

--A philanthropic athlete who biked across the country to raise money for Habitat for Humanity and who volunteered to rebuild homes in Hurricane-ravaged Katrina.

And, yes, you’d make him young, good-looking and charming.

And, as a kicker, you’d make him gay. And wanting to take a stand against the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Policy."

So, that’s the public biography of Anthony Woods, who is one of about dozen Democrats, Republicans, and other party representatives who are vying to replace Ellen Tauscher as the U.S. representative for the 10th congressional district.

In writing about Woods, also known in one national headline as the "gay Iraq war veteran," I’m not saying he's my favorite candidate. I haven’t had a chance to look closely at the candidates to see who I prefer.

But Woods, and his made-for-Hollywood biography and opposition to discrimination against gays in the military, have garnered him national attention: CNN, the Los Angeles Times, the Washington Post, and the website, the Daily Beast, which had this headline: "Best Political Resume Ever: Insurgent congressional candidate Anthony Woods' life story reads like Aaron Sorkin wrote it ..."

For the primary election, set for September 1, Woods is going up against some high-profile political heavyweights--opponents who are well-known in the East Bay, around the state, even nationally. Contra Costa Times political columnist Lisa Vorderbrueggen says the primary is an open ballot, meaning that all candidates will appear on the same ballot regardless of party affiliation. The top vote-getter in each party plus the nonpartisan candidates will advance to the general election unless one candidate receives in the primary 50 percent plus one vote. If that occurs, the candidate will win the post outright.

Given his competition, Woods' emerging political celebrity may not be enough to assure him victory this time and propel him into Ellen Tauscher’s seat and national office. But given his personal background and story, Harvard degree, Bronze Star, and telegenic gifts, it’s likely that Woods has a bright future ahead of him—in politics or in some other arena.