Election 2004: Candidates line up for March elections Election 2004: Candidates line up for March elections (December 10, 2003)

By Marion Softky

Almanac Staff Writer

While local voters may be watching the big issues in the election March 2, 2004 -- like who's going to be the Democrat to take on George W. Bush -- they will also need to focus on candidates for local offices, ranging from party central committees to their representative in Congress.

There are quite a few local offices and candidates on the ballot. Starting near the top, Sen. Barbara Boxer has already drawn one opponent from San Mateo County. Perennial candidate Bill Quraishi from Half Moon Bay would like to become the Republican to take her on.

Also to be chosen at the presidential primary are candidates who will run again in November for local seats in Congress and the state Legislature. Voters will choose three members of the county Board of Supervisors; eight Superior Court judges; and members of the central committees for the seven political parties active in the county.

The hottest local elections are likely to be the races for two open seats in the state Legislature.

In the 11th Senate District, former Assemblyman Ted Lempert of San Carlos is running hard against current Assemblyman Joe Simitian of Palo Alto for the Democratic nomination to replace Sen. Byron Sher, who is leaving because of term limits. Also running in that race are Republican Jon Zelhoefer of San Jose, and Libertarian Allen M. Rice of San Jose.

Five Democrats and a Republican are running to replace Assemblyman Simitian in the 21st Assembly District. From San Mateo County, longtime Redwood City Councilman Ira Ruskin has filed, as well as John Carcione of Menlo Park, who serves on the board of the West Bay Sanitary District. From Santa Clara County are Chris Kelly and John Barton of Palo Alto, and Barbara Nesbet of Monte Sereno. Steve Poizner of Los Gatos is the only Republican.

The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors election features two strong incumbents, and a single candidate seeking the Fifth District seat being vacated by Supervisor Mike Nevin, who has served his limit of three terms.

Daly City Mayor Adrienne Tissier appears to be following a recent pattern, where vacancies on the board are filled by uncontested candidates who have built up enough early momentum to discourage others from running. Supervisors Jerry Hill and Mark Church ran unopposed for their first term by starting early.

Fourth District Supervisor Rose Jacobs Gibson and First District Supervisor Mark Church both face challengers. North Fair Oaks activist Stanley Buetens, who has tried for the board three times before, will oppose Supervisor Jacobs Gibson from East Palo Alto. Freshman Supervisor Mark Church of Burlingame has one challenger, Taso Zografos of San Mateo.

San Mateo is the only county in California where supervisors live in a district, but are elected at large by voters throughout the county.

For more information, call the county Elections Office at 312-5222, or go to www.shapethefuture.org.

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