Former Hughson Mayor Jeramy Young has suspended his campaign for the District 4 state senate seat, endorsing Republican candidate Alexandra Duarte instead. Young, who serves as the chief of police in Livermore, emphasized the importance of conservative unity in his decision. His exit leaves Duarte and Democrat Jaron Brandon, a Tuolumne County Supervisor, as the primary challengers to incumbent Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil.
Young outlined his rationale in a statement, saying, “I believe that good conservative candidates should not run against each other when our shared mission is bigger than any one campaign. We need to unify behind a strong candidate who can earn the trust of voters and win in November.” He expressed his commitment to supporting Duarte’s campaign, highlighting the significance of a candidate’s actions over their words.
Duarte, who has not previously held elected office, faces the challenge of securing a spot among the top two vote recipients in the upcoming primary on June 2, 2024, to advance to the general election scheduled for November 3, 2024. “Chief Young’s endorsement gives voters a clear conservative Republican choice for state senate,” stated Duarte, who is married to former District 13 Congressman John Duarte.
Alvarado-Gil, who switched her political affiliation from Democrat to Republican in August 2024, has faced criticism from both sides of the political spectrum. In a response to Duarte’s campaign, she asserted her own credentials, stating, “Yes, and that choice is clearly me. I’m the only candidate endorsed by local Assemblyman Juan Alanis and have an A rating from both the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association and the California Rifle and Pistol Association.”
The District 4 senate seat is significant, covering an area larger than ten U.S. states, and includes parts of Stanislaus, Merced, Alpine, Amador, Calaveras, El Dorado, Inyo, Madera, Mariposa, Mono, Nevada, Placer, and Tuolumne counties. In total, it has more than 1 million constituents, nearly double the average assembly district and a third more than the average congressional district.
In the previous election cycle, Alvarado-Gil advanced through a crowded primary that saw eight Republicans splitting over 130,000 votes, which allowed her and Democrat Tim Robertson to secure their places in the general election. The division among Republican candidates could potentially benefit Brandon, who now stands as the only Democrat in the race.
Brandon expressed disappointment at Young’s departure, stating, “I respect Jeramy, and I’d have a beer with him any day. Like me, he has district roots, local government experience, and a strong public-safety record.” He added that Young’s exit leaves the race between what he described as a “partisan ideologue” and a “flip-flopper,” potentially creating a favorable situation for moderate voters.
Meanwhile, in the District 5 Congressional race, Paul Danbom has withdrawn his candidacy to challenge Republican Representative Tom McClintock. Danbom endorsed fellow Democrat Michael Masuda, citing the need for a unified front in the primary as his reason for stepping back. “After deep reflection and conversations with my family and supporters, I have decided that the best way to serve the people of the 5th district is to ensure we have a unified front heading into the primary,” Danbom remarked.
Masuda expressed his gratitude for Danbom’s support, emphasizing their shared commitment to the Central Valley. The 5th Congressional District is considered solidly Republican, with McClintock receiving over 61 percent of the vote in his last two elections against Democrat Mike Barkley.
As both races unfold, the political landscape in California continues to shift, with candidates focusing on unity and strategic endorsements as they head into the critical primary elections.
