Category Archives: Benicia elections

Benicia City Council, Benicia elections, Benicia Mayor, Benicia School Board, Benicia Schools, Benicia Unified School District

Progressive Democrats of Benicia Announce School Board & Ballot Measure Endorsements

Dems endorse Kashanna Harmon-Lee for Benicia School Board, Benicia Tax Measures

The Progressive Democrats of Benicia (PDB) are proud to announce their endorsements for the upcoming Benicia School Board – Area 3 and Solano Community College Board – Area 3 elections, as well as their positions on local ballot measures.

Candidate Endorsements

After interviewing Democratic candidates for Benicia School Board – Area 3 (which is generally between 780, Rose Drive and west of Grove Circle, including Robert Semple Elementary School) and Solano Community College Board Area – 3 (which includes Benicia as well as parts of Vallejo, and Suisun City), the PDB membership has voted to endorse:

  • Kashanna Harmon-Lee for Benicia School Board – Area 3
  • Shannon Frisinger for Solano Community College Board – Area 3

Congratulations to these candidates, whose impressive qualifications, leadership experience, and commitment to student success clearly resonated with voting members who share their vision for fostering safe, supportive schools and educational spaces.

Kashanna Harmon-Lee, Candidate for Benicia School Board Area 3 Trustee. | Nancy Rothstein for Kashanna Harmon-Lee for Benicia School Board 2024.

Ballot Measure Endorsements

After the candidate interviews, Mayor Steve Young and City Manager Mario Giuliani answered questions about local ballot measures and their potential impacts on the City of Benicia, including Measures G and H. Maggie Kolk from the Benicia Save Our Streets Committee presented information about Measure F.

The club also learned about Proposition 5 (CA), which would allow local bonds for affordable housing and public infrastructure with 55% voter approval.

After the presentations, PDB membership has voted to endorse:

  • YES on Measure F: A citizen’s initiative proposing a 1/2 cent sales tax for street repairs and maintenance.
  • YES on Measure G: A proposal to adopt a City Charter, allowing voters to consider enacting a real property transfer tax.
  • YES on Measure H: A sliding real property transfer tax to invest in essential city services.
  • YES on Proposition 5: Allow local bonds for affordable housing and public infrastructure with 55% voter approval.

Thank You…and Don’t Forget to Vote!

The Progressive Democrats of Benicia thank the candidates and officials for their time. We encourage all residents to stay informed, get involved in local politics, and exercise their right to vote in the upcoming elections. Don’t forget to check your voter registration at voterstatus.sos.ca.gov.

More about PDB

Learn more about the Progressive Democrats of Benicia at progressivedemocratsofbenicia.org. Dues are $30/year and you must be a registered Democrat to join as a full member. (Non-Democrats and non-Benicians are always welcome to attend public meetings.)

Benicia City Council, Benicia elections, Christina Gilpin-Hayes

Vice Mayor Terry Scott: Vote for Christina Gilpin-Hayes and build a brighter future for Benicia!

Christina Gilpin-Hayes, endorsed candidate for Benicia City Council. | Photo supplied by campaign.

By Vice Mayor Terry Scott, September 10, 2024

Benicia Vice Mayor Terry Scott.

I am very pleased to endorse Christina Gilpin-Hayes for Benicia City Council.

Christina has the skills to be a dedicated, tough, articulate, and highly committed new voice on our City Council.

I’ve had the pleasure of meeting with Christina several times. During these in-depth conversations, she has expressed her overall vision and long-term goals for Benicia.

I believe Christina possesses:

Character: The ability to take the moral and right path, even when it is strewn with hazards and obstacles. Christina has great personal strength and strong moral character, enabling her to make the right decisions on many of the complex issues we face as a city and as City Council members.

Conviction: The determination to continue the fight to meet objectives despite the odds, by taking a path that may be unpopular but is in the best interest of the entire community. Christina is a person of strong conviction, an advocate for diversity, and will dedicate herself to the common good.

Leadership: The capability to provide a new perspective to problem-solving and lead the council and community through consensus-building and educating the community as we create new opportunities.

Financial Understanding: The city has taken significant steps forward to solve the financial cliff we face. Christina has the experience and training in financial management and exhibits a strong understanding of how finances work. She recognizes that we must work towards a balanced budget while ensuring the quality of life in our community is maintained.

Clearly, Christina, in her business and personal life, has exhibited leadership skills that will add to the depth and understanding of how the Council will manage Benicia’s future.

I have seen how Christina understands how government works, recognizes the roadblocks that need to be overcome, and embraces opportunities, facing the future with excitement and passion.

I appreciate her ability to read the handwriting on the wall and:

    • Interpret it differently,
    • Think differently,
    • Act with resolve,
    • And look after the best interests of all Benicians.

That is why I strongly support and enthusiastically endorse Christina for City Council.

Together, let’s support a leader who will bring fresh, new perspectives and unwavering dedication to our community.

Vote for Christina and continue to build a brighter future for Benicia!

Terry Scott
Vice Mayor
City of Benicia

Air Monitoring, Benicia elections, Lori Wilson CA Assemblywoman, Progressive Democrats of Benicia

3 Important Benicia Meetings this week, Wed., Thurs., Fri.

[Sorry for short notice. Here are 3 great opportunities to help shape Benicia’s future THIS WEEK! – BenIndy]

WEDNESDAY SEPT 4 (7pm tonight!)– Zoom in on School Board Candidates AND Ballot Measures!

The Progressive Democrats of Benicia (PDB) are hosting a candidate forum on Wednesday, September 4, at 7pm via Zoom (sign-in details on the PDB website).   This virtual event, which is free and open to all regardless of city of residence or political party, will feature interviews with Democratic candidates vying for local office.  (Find out more about the candidates on the PDB website.)

This is YOUR opportunity to engage with local Democratic candidates and gain insights into their positions on key issues affecting Benicia and to learn about the important measures on this fall’s ballot.  Everyone is welcome.

THURSDAY SEPT 5 – Air District hosting Informational Webinar on Refinery Corridor Air Monitoring Community Workgroup

The Bay Area Air Quality Management District is launching a new program to take the first step to improve air monitoring during unplanned incidents at the Bay Area refineries.

We are hosting a webinar this Thursday (9/5) from 4-5 pm to provide community members with an overview of the particulate monitoring program and ways to get involved, including a community workgroup that will guide the program’s development and implementation. See the email below for additional details.

If you are interested in attending, you must register in advance using this link. Please also feel free to forward this message to others who may be interested in attending.

If you have any questions, you can reach us at bayaircenter@baaqmd.gov.

FRIDAY SEPT 6 – Assemblywoman Lori Wilson available for conversations in Benicia

Assemblywoman Lori D. Wilson, California 11th District

Benicia’s Assemblywoman, Lori D. Wilson, along with her district and capitol staffs, will be at Benicia City Hall for a District 11 event, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Sept 6.

There are two options to meet with Wilson’s office:

    1. Wilson’s staff will be on site for drop-in discussions between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.
    2. If you wish to speak with Wilson herself, you can schedule a 10-minute, one-on-one meeting between 1 and 4:30 p.m. Reach out to Tisha Simpson to schedule your time by emailing:  tisha.simpson@asm.ca.gov. Click here to send email.

All events are at Benicia City Hall chamber, 250 E. L St.

From Assemblywoman Wilson’s invitation: This event offers a unique opportunity to engage directly with your elected representative, where our dedicated District and Capitol staff will be ready to hear and address your concerns, ideas, and feedback.

  • 10:00 AM – 10:55 AM City Departments and Special Districts
  • 11:00 AM – 11:55 AM Local Businesses and Nonprofits
  • 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM Lunch
  • 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM Scheduled one-on-one appointments (no drop-ins)

Wilson’s website is https://a11.asmdc.org. You can link to her legislative proposals on the page.

Wilson is seeking her second full term in the Assembly. She is in a runoff election on Nov. 5 against Republican Dave Ennis.

Benicia elections, Benicia Mayor, Solano County Democratic Central Committee, Solano elections

Solano County Democrats Endorse Candidates

First round endorsements include Benicia Mayor Steve Young, more endorsements to come…

Fairfield, CA – August 30th – The Solano Democratic Party held endorsement interviews for candidates in 9 out of 24 races it will be endorsing for the 2024 General Election.

This first round of endorsements include:

Solano County Race
Endorsed Candidate
Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District – District 2 Audrey Jaques
Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District – District 6 Ana Petero
Vacaville Unified School District – District 4 Audra Orr
Vacaville Unified School District – District 7 Michael Kitzes
Board of Education, Solano County – District 2 Bonnie Hamilton
Mayor City of Benicia Steve Young
City Council, City of Fairfield – District 6 Manveer Sandhu
City Council, City of Vacaville – District 3 Michael “Mike” Silva
City Council, City of Vacaville – District 5 Jason Roberts

“I am pleased that so many qualified candidates have stepped forward to represent their fellow citizens this fall,” said Don Lowrie, Solano Democratic Party Chair. “The individuals who earned the central committee’s endorsement will serve the entire community. I am confident they will fight for our freedoms and provide a bright and prosperous future for all of Solano County’s residents.”

The committee will be hosting another round of Candidate interviews on September 7th. This will be live streamed to the committee’s YouTube and Facebook social media channels found @solanodems – Facebook, YouTube.

Candidates wanting to be endorsed, must be a registered Democrat, and complete the Committee’s Endorsement Questionnaire. This can be found on the Committee’s website at solanodemocrats.com/endorsements.

More information can be found at solanodemocrats.com.