Young Exits D-4 Senate Race, Backs Duarte; Danbom Leaves D-5 Race

Former Hughson Mayor Jeramy Young has suspended his campaign for the District 4 state senate seat, opting to endorse Alexandra Duarte, one of the remaining Republican candidates. Young, who serves as the chief of police in Livermore, made this decision to prevent conservative candidates from splitting the vote. His exit leaves Duarte and Democrat Jaron Brandon, a Tuolumne County Supervisor, as the main challengers to incumbent Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil.

Young announced his departure in a statement, emphasizing the importance of unity among conservative candidates. “I believe that good conservative candidates should not run against each other when our shared mission is bigger than any one campaign,” he stated. He underscored the need for a strong candidate to earn voters’ trust and achieve victory in the general election set for November 3, 2024. “A voting record matters because it shows who can be trusted to consistently support conservative values when it counts,” he added.

Duarte, who has never held elected office, must secure a top-two finish in the upcoming primary on June 2, 2024, to advance to the general election. She expressed gratitude for Young’s endorsement, stating, “Chief Young’s endorsement gives voters a clear conservative Republican choice for state senate.” Duarte is the spouse of former District 13 congressman John Duarte.

Senator Alvarado-Gil has faced scrutiny from both the left and right since her party switch in August 2024, raising questions about her conservative credentials. “Yes, and that choice is clearly me,” Alvarado-Gil responded to Duarte’s claims, highlighting her endorsements and ratings from influential organizations. She noted her backing from local Assemblyman Juan Alanis and high ratings from the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association and the California Rifle and Pistol Association.

The District 4 seat is significant, covering an area larger than ten U.S. states and encompassing parts of 13 counties. It includes over 1 million constituents, nearly double the average assembly district and significantly more than the average congressional district. In the last election cycle, Alvarado-Gil advanced to the general election by capitalizing on division among Republican candidates. Eight Republicans split over 130,000 votes, allowing her and Democrat Tim Robertson to secure a place in the general election.

Brandon, the only Democrat remaining in the race, acknowledged Young’s exit. “I respect Jeramy, and I’d have a beer with him any day,” he said. He expressed disappointment over Young’s departure, suggesting it would now be a contest between himself, a “partisan ideologue,” and a “flip-flopper,” positioning himself as a moderate alternative.

District 4, with more registered Republicans than Democrats, includes parts of counties such as Stanislaus, Merced, and El Dorado. The district has seen fluctuating voter turnout, with approximately 220,000 voters participating in the previous primary and around 260,000 in the general election.

In a separate development, Paul Danbom, a Turlock Democrat, has also withdrawn from the race for the District 5 Congressional seat, endorsing fellow Democrat Michael Masuda. Danbom cited the need for a unified front going into the primaries as his reason for stepping aside. “Our district has been overlooked for too long,” he stated, underscoring the importance of collaboration among candidates.

Masuda, a former foreign affairs officer for the U.S. State Department, praised Danbom for his dedication. “Paul Danbom has been a class act throughout this campaign,” he remarked. The District 5 seat is considered solidly Republican, with Tom McClintock having won over 61 percent of the vote in previous elections against Democratic challengers.

As both races develop, the political landscape in California remains dynamic, with candidates vying for voter support in crucial upcoming elections.