Young Exits D-4 Senate Race, Backs Duarte; Danbom Withdraws from D-5 Congressional Contest

Former Hughson Mayor Jeramy Young has suspended his campaign for the District 4 state senate seat, endorsing fellow Republican Alexandra Duarte. Young emphasized that conservative candidates should not compete against one another, particularly when their collective goal is to secure a robust Republican presence in the upcoming election.

Young, who currently serves as the chief of police in Livermore, was challenging incumbent Marie Alvarado-Gil (R-Jackson). Alvarado-Gil won her seat as a Democrat in the 2022 elections but switched parties during her term. With Young’s departure, Duarte and Democrat Jaron Brandon, a Tuolumne County Supervisor, remain as the primary challengers to Alvarado-Gil.

In a statement, Young remarked, “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 underscored the importance of actions over words, expressing his commitment to assist Duarte in her campaign efforts.

Duarte, who has no prior elected experience, must secure a position among the top two vote recipients in the primary on June 2, 2024, to advance to the general election scheduled for November 3, 2024. She expressed gratitude for Young’s endorsement, stating, “Chief Young’s endorsement gives voters a clear conservative Republican choice for state senate. Jeramy is a proven leader in our community, and I’m honored to have his support.”

Alvarado-Gil, who has faced criticism since her party switch, responded to Duarte’s claim of providing conservative options, asserting, “Yes, and that choice is clearly me. I’m the only candidate endorsed by local Assemblyman Juan Alanis (R-Modesto) and has an A rating from both the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association and California Rifle and Pistol Association.”

District 4 is notably the largest senate district in California, extending from the Nevada border near Lake Tahoe down to southern Death Valley. It encompasses all or parts of 13 counties, includes over 1 million constituents, and is larger than 10 U.S. states combined. In the previous election cycle, Alvarado-Gil advanced through a crowded primary, where Republicans split over 130,000 votes, thus enabling her to bypass a substantial Republican challenge.

Brandon, the sole Democrat in the race, expressed disappointment at Young’s exit from the contest. He noted, “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. I am disappointed he left, leaving now a race between myself, a partisan ideologue and a flip-flopper. Those are good odds for the ‘reasonable middle’ that actually want to see things get done.”

District 4 boasts over 600,000 registered voters, with only about 220,000 participating in the primary four years ago. This race is particularly significant as it is one of six districts in California where registered Republicans outnumber Democrats.

In a separate political development, Paul Danbom, a Democrat who recently entered the race for California’s 5th Congressional District, has also withdrawn his candidacy to endorse fellow Democrat Michael Masuda. Danbom’s decision came after careful consideration and discussions with family and supporters, emphasizing the need for a unified front in the primary.

“After deep reflection, 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 noted. He cited Masuda’s experience as a former foreign affairs officer and their shared campaign goals as key reasons for his endorsement.

Masuda praised Danbom, stating, “Paul Danbom has been a class act throughout this campaign. His commitment to the Central Valley and the foothills is undeniable, and I’m honored to have his trust as we work to build a district that works for everyone.”

The 5th Congressional District is recognized as solidly Republican, with incumbent Tom McClintock having secured over 61 percent of the vote in the last two elections against Democratic challenger Mike Barkley. The political dynamics in both District 4 and District 5 illustrate the evolving landscape of California politics as candidates navigate their paths towards the upcoming elections.