Young Exits D-4 Senate Race, Endorses Duarte; Danbom Drops D-5 Bid

Former Hughson Mayor Jeramy Young has suspended his campaign for the District 4 state senate seat, endorsing fellow Republican Alexandra Duarte as the preferred candidate in the race. Young, who also serves as the chief of police in Livermore, expressed concerns about conservative candidates competing against one another, emphasizing the need for unity to better serve their shared political goals.

Young’s exit leaves Duarte and Democrat Jaron Brandon, a Tuolumne County Supervisor, as the remaining challengers to incumbent Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil. Alvarado-Gil, who initially won the seat as a Democrat in 2022, switched her party affiliation to Republican during her term. Young stated, “I believe that good conservative candidates should not run against each other when our shared mission is bigger than any one campaign.” He affirmed his commitment to help Duarte secure a victory in the upcoming elections.

Duarte, a newcomer to elected office, must secure a position in the top two spots during the June 2, 2024 primary to advance to the general election scheduled for November 3, 2024. In response to Young’s endorsement, she remarked, “Chief Young’s endorsement gives voters a clear conservative Republican choice for state senate.” She highlighted Young’s leadership experience in the community as a significant advantage.

The political landscape in District 4 is complicated. Alvarado-Gil has faced criticism from both the left and the right. In August 2024, she departed from the Democratic party, and now her conservative credentials are under scrutiny. Alvarado-Gil countered Duarte’s claims by noting, “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.”

District 4 encompasses a vast area, stretching from the Nevada border near Lake Tahoe to south of Death Valley. It includes parts of 13 counties, with over 1 million constituents, making it larger than ten U.S. states. The district has historically leaned Republican, yet it remains competitive due to the dynamics of the primary. Four years ago, Alvarado-Gil advanced to the general election after navigating a crowded field of nine candidates, largely due to the division among Republican voters.

Brandon acknowledged Young’s departure, stating, “Like me, he has district roots, local government experience, and a strong public-safety record.” He expressed disappointment in Young’s exit, suggesting it leaves the race between himself, “a partisan ideologue,” and Alvarado-Gil, “a flip-flopper.” Brandon aims to appeal to the “reasonable middle” of the electorate.

The district is one of six in California where registered Republicans outnumber Democrats. With over 600,000 registered voters, recent primary turnout has been lower than expected, with about 220,000 participating in the last primary. The political stakes are high, as candidates seek to galvanize support ahead of the critical primaries.

In a separate development, Paul Danbom, a Democrat who recently entered the race for the 5th Congressional District, has also suspended his campaign. He has endorsed fellow Democrat Michael Masuda, signaling a desire for unity in the face of a strong Republican incumbent, Tom McClintock.

Danbom stated, “Our district has been overlooked for too long, and we cannot afford a fractured vote if we intend to bring real leadership back to our community.” His endorsement of Masuda is based on their shared policy goals and Masuda’s experience as a former foreign affairs officer for the U.S. State Department.

Masuda expressed gratitude for Danbom’s support, highlighting the importance of collaborative efforts to serve the Central Valley and foothills. The 5th District is categorized as solidly Republican, with McClintock having secured over 61% of the vote in the past two elections.

The political dynamics in both the D-4 and D-5 races illustrate the complexities of California’s electoral landscape, as candidates navigate their paths toward the upcoming primaries. With significant endorsements and shifting allegiances, the races are poised to capture the attention of voters in the coming months.