Election Day is almost here. Here’s a recap of The Tribune’s endorsements

Primaries are notorious for being low-turnout elections, especially in non-presidential election years.

Unfortunately, San Luis Obispo County is no exception. In the 2014 primary, for example, turnout was an abysmal 41%. It improved in 2018, when 52% of voters cast ballots.

We can do better.

In this election, there are two especially critical races at stake.

With only two candidates on the ballot in the District 4 Board of Supervisors race, the outcome will be decided on June 7 — and it could shift the balance of power on the board.

The countywide race for clerk-recorder is key as well. The winner of that race will be responsible for protecting the integrity of the election process at a time when conspiracy theorists and their followers are intent on tearing it down. While that race may go to a run-off, the top vote-getter will have more momentum heading into November.

If you’ve already cast your ballot, good for you.

If not, there is still time to drop your ballot in the mail or at a county-provided drop-off box. If you prefer in-person voting, you go to the polling place listed on the top of your ballot.

However you do it, please remember to vote on or before Tuesday.

Here is The Tribune Editorial Board’s list of endorsements in San Luis Obispo County races, as well as recommendations on select state races from our sister paper, The Sacramento Bee.

Additional endorsements for federal and state offices will be announced prior to the general election.

County Board of Supervisors

District 2

The candidates: Businessman Geoff Auslen; incumbent Bruce Gibson; retired orthopedic surgeon Bruce Jones; and John Whitworth, a retired U.S. Marine Corps colonel who owns a business in Atascadero.

Our choice: Bruce Gibson

Here’s why: Gibson has proven himself to be a smart, hard-working, dedicated supervisor who’s able to tackle tough projects — the Los Osos sewer being a prime example. Equally important, he has been a voice for the tens of thousands of county residents who feel overlooked by the conservative board majority.

District 3

The candidates: Insurance agent Stacy Korsgaden; appointed incumbent Dawn Ortiz-Legg; and retiree Arnold Ruiz

Our choice: Dawn Ortiz-Legg

Here’s why: Ortiz-Legg’s value on the Board of Supervisors cannot be overstated. She listens, she tries to reach consensus and she’s an independent thinker and decision-maker. She is exactly what this oftentimes dysfunctional board needs.

District 4

The candidates: Incumbent Lynn Compton and Arroyo Grande City Councilman Jimmy Paulding

Our choice: Jimmy Paulding

Here’s why: At 36, Paulding would bring a younger person’s perspective to a board dominated by baby boomers. He has energy and a willingness to dig into tough issues, and his bipartisan support is a plus.

County clerk-recorder

The candidates: James Baugh, an Army veteran and training consultant; appointed incumbent Elaina Cano; attorney Stew Jenkins

Our choice: Elaina Cano

Here’s why: Cano has more than 18 years of direct experience in both county clerk-recorder and city clerk offices. She isn’t just the best-qualified candidate for this office, she is the only qualified candidate.

She is also the only true nonpartisan; she is registered no party preference and has not been endorsed by either major party.

Baugh has been endorsed by the Republican Party and has publicly stated that he does not believe Joe Biden won the 2020 election.

Jenkins once served on the Democratic Central Committee, and while he points out that he’s represented both Democrats and Republicans in election law cases, he can come across more as a politician than a nonpartisan official. For instance, he appears on a “Save Proposition 13” mailer alongside several conservative candidates for partisan offices like governor and senator. We don’t need a clerk-recorder to protect Prop. 13; we need someone with actual experience in running elections and maintaining vital records.

Superior Court judge

The candidates: Deputy District Attorney Mike Frye and attorney/rancher Paul Phillips

Our choice: Mike Frye

Here’s why: This was a close call between two strong candidates but on balance, we believe Mike Frye’s background and experience in so many areas, particularly criminal law, make him the stronger candidate.

He’s industrious, he’s a creative thinker, and we believe he will be a problem-solver on the bench.

Statewide offices

Here are recommendations from The Sacramento Bee on statewide races.

California attorney general

The Bee’s choices: Rob Bonta and Anne Marie Schubert

Here’s why: The attorney general’s race provides a forum for meaningful discussions on these issues, and the public would be best served if Bonta and Schubert are the two candidates debating them until November.

California controller

The Bee’s choice: Steve Glazer

Here’s why: Glazer has consistently demonstrated the capacity to go against the party on principle, an indispensable quality for the office he seeks.

California insurance commissioner

The Bee’s choice: Marc Levine

Here’s why: Levine has been a strikingly different sort of politician, which is the least this office needs.

This story was originally published June 1, 2022 at 10:58 AM.