The region around SD-23 is getting hit really hard with some just atrocious mail. Not only do they get the mail for the “Collosal Waste of Paper” Race in SD-23, they also get mail from the “Even Bigger Waste of Paper” Race in AD-40.  There are trees in Indonesia currently begging for mercy. Vote for Pavley or the Polar Bear Gets it? Maybe, but those trees already bit the dust.

The first ad is from Pavley’s campaign, calling Levine the “King of the Luxury Junkets.” I love the cute little crown hung from his head, but I gotta tell you, the ad just really doesn’t do it for me. I’m not sure who this one convinces. I suppose you could get a few people concerned about “lobbyist money,” but not

But, if that’s the case, Levine’s ad hits the mark.  It’s a simple explanation of who is paying for the Carbon-Free Pavley Ads. The answer is EdVoice, but the Carbon-Free Campaign has got to be one of the worst mail campaigns.  Do the people doing those campaigns think voters aren’t going to wonder about the carbon that it takes to print and mail the 7 mailers that get delivered talking about this magnificent carbon-free campaign.  

Nonetheless, I doubt that too many of these “who paid for these” really get too far. It seems a bit insider baseball for people to really put the effort into sorting all these mailers out. In the end, all this mail ends up clogging landfills or just being recycled (hopefully).

It sure would be great if these IEs and the campaigns could at least send some worthwhile campaign crap.  I know some campaigns are giving out potholders or other such useful items.  I mean, if we are going to be spending all this money anyway, why not print the mailer up on, say a reusable shopping bag, or a roll of paper towels. (Of recycled paper and printed with soy ink, of course.)

Before we get into the next round of endorsements, we have a few comments in here about how we envision this working.   The endorsements are the opinion of the board, not the community as a whole – we would hope they generate a good discussion about the various candidates in every district.

Furthermore, these are primary endorsements, so somebody is not going to be happy about them. We apologize for that, but if you don't like our opinions, you should let us know that.  Write a comment here. Post a diary about the candidate of your choice.  Let the community know why you think your preferred candidate is the best choice in the Democratic Primary.  Unlike newspapers, this is a two-way medium. We not only accept comments on these endorsements, we encourage it. So, feel free to tell us how wrong we really are.  

And with that said, here are the State Senate Endorsements. Explanations over the flip.

SD-03: Mark Leno
SD-05: Lois Wolk (UPDATED)
SD-09: Loni Hancock & Wilma Chan
SD-12: Simon Salinas / Yes on Recall
SD-15: Dennis Morris
SD-19: Hannah-Beth Jackson
SD-23: Lloyd Levine and Fran Pavley
SD-25: No Endorsement
SD-33: Gary Pritchard

SD-03: Mark Leno
Brian Leubitz works for the Mark Leno campaign, but his vote was not counted.

Mark Leno has been a friend of the netroots from Day One. While his net neutrality bill ultimately died a swift death, on cannot underestimate his willingness to fight for sometimes unpopular issues.  That is not to say that Leno himself is not popular around the Capitol.  He has managed to maintain a presence of collegiality in the Assembly, and it will be valuable in the Senate.

Joe Nation is a good guy, but he's just too moderate for this district.  While we might be willing to support him for, say, McClintock's old seat, SD-03 is not the seat for him.  Carole Migden's blatant disregard for campaign finance rules is troubling, despite her record of fighting for progressive causes. Mark Leno will be the best representative for the district in the Senate.

UPDATE: SD-05: Lois Wolk

We missed this seat in our original endorsment list, but thhis will be one of the big battle grounds come November, despite a strong Democratic registartion advantage.  In 2004, Mike Machado won re-election by oly 1.4%. Asm.  Lois Wolk of Davis will be trying to keep this seat blue. Here challenger in the primary, C. Jennet Stebbens, while a leader in the African-American agriculture community, does not appear to have the resources to wage what will be a tough campaign against presumptive Republican nominee Asm. Greg Aghzarian.  Wolk's been a fine legislator in the 8th Assembly District, and would make the 5th SD proud in the Senate.

SD-09: Loni Hancock & Wilma Chan

The district should be proud that they have two strong candidates like this form which to choose.  Hancock's work for clean money has been exceptional.  Wilma Chan was a wonderful advocate for children and education while she was in the Assembly, and would continue her fine record in the Senate.  The IEs have been somewhat annoying in this seat, but progressives win either way. 

SD-12: Yes on the Recall/ Simon Salinas

While outgoing Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata has “dropped” the recall bid against Jeff Denham, Simon Salinas isn't planning on dropping the campaign.  This district should be a Democratic seat, and Simon Salinas, while not a perfect progressive, would be a far better representative for this district than Republican Jeff Denham.

SD-15: Dennis Morris

This is a marginal district without a Democratic candidate.  Dennis Morris agreed to step up and try to get on the ballot.  He's a non-politician, an intellectual property lawyer to be exact. We hope he can get on the November ballot and give Maldanado at least a reason to spend some money in his own district.

SD-19: Hannah-Beth Jackson

Hannah-Beth Jackson has no primary challenge, as Jim Dantona dropped out a few months ago. However, Hannah-Beth has long been a friend of the netroots through SpeakOut California. She will be a champion of education and environmental issues, and there is no doubt that she will be a better Senator than termed-out Tom McClintock or her own likely opponent, Tony Strickland.

SD-23: Dual Endorsement of Lloyd Levine & Fran Pavley

We liked both Asm. Levine and former Asm. Pavley's appearances on the Calitics Show a few weeks back.  Both are strong leaders on the environment and education.  Levine seemed to understand the long-term issues of the budget a little better, and Pavley's resume of work on the environment was a bit longer.  We do wish that the IEs would cut it out with the lame mailers though.  Whomever wins, the district wins.

SD-25: No endorsement

Asm. Mervyn Dymally and former Asm. Rod Wright are running for the seat of termed-out Ed Vincent. Dymally, who has a tremendous history of leadership in this state, had some problems with handing out badges and could be better on a wealth of issues. Wright is a moderate Democrat courting business interests. We couldn't bring ourselves to endorse either.

SD-33: Gary Pritchard

This is the district of the termed-out Dick Ackerman.  Mr. Pritchard does not have a primary opponent, but he will be a heavy underdog to whichever far-right Republican that emerges from the battle of Harry Sidhu and Mimi Walters. We wholeheartedly support Pritchard's run.  We certainly can't defeat the Republicans if nobody is running against them.

Over the flip, I’ll be posting some legislator’s remarks on the marriage decision.  I’ll only get a few now, so any editors should feel free to add some or throw them in the comments.

Senator Barack Obama:

“Barack Obama has always believed that same-sex couples should enjoy equal rights under the law, and he will continue to fight for civil unions as President.  He respects the decision of the California Supreme Court, and continues to believe that states should make their own decisions when it comes to the issue of marriage.”

On the issue of constitutional amendments, Senator Obama has been on record for some time: He opposes all divisive and discriminatory constitutional amendments, state or federal.  That includes the proposed amendments in California and Florida.

Mark Leno:

“Today’s ruling is a supreme affirmation of the sanctity of the love that two people share with one another without regard to their gender, and a victory for all Californians who believe that people should have the opportunity to pursue their dreams on equal footing.

I applaud the Supreme Court today for erasing hundreds of years of unconstitutional discrimination against loving and committed same sex couples. I also congratulate the brave couples who brought the case to court, as well as Mayor Newsom, City Attorney Herrera and the amazing legal team that successfully argued this historic case.

I will continue to review the legal implications of today’s ruling and, if it is determined to be necessary, draft any implementing legislation that may be needed or appropriate.

With the conviction of its highest court and its legislature, California continues to lead the way in favor of the conservative principle that society is best served when loving couples who want to settle down with one another are all able to do so through the civil institution of marriage.”

Lloyd Levine:

“I am absolutely elated by the California Supreme Court’s decision. We live in 2008 and there is no place for discrimination in any way, shape or form,” Assemblymember Lloyd Levine said. “All people in California have equal rights under the law. I look forward to the day when all people can marry the person they love. This is a great day for equality in California.”

Leland Yee:

“Today our state’s supreme court reaffirmed the highest ideals of our republic.  I am proud to be a Californian today as we stand on the right side of history.  This is a victory for all people committed to equal justice and equal opportunity.  For far too long, our nation has unfairly denied fundamental rights to individuals simply because of their sexual orientation.  Today, we finally begin to heal those wounds and end state-sanctioned discrimination.   At last, we fully recognize and honor all loving relationships and all families with the rights, privileges, and joys of marriage.  We also celebrate the perseverance and courage shown by so many in this latest march towards equality, justice and happiness.”

Speaker Nancy Pelosi:

On the California Supreme Court’s decision today to strike the state ban on gay marriage

I welcome the California Supreme Court’s historic decision. I have long fought against discrimination and believe that the State Constitution provides for equal treatment for all of California’s citizens and families, which today’s decision recognizes.

I commend the plaintiffs from San Francisco for their courage and commitment. I encourage California citizens to respect the Court’s decision, and I continue to strongly oppose any ballot measure that would write discrimination into the State Constitution.

Today is a significant milestone for which all Californians can take pride.

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger:

I respect the Court’s decision and as Governor, I will uphold its ruling. Also, as I have said in the past, I will not support an amendment to the constitution that would overturn this state Supreme Court ruling.

Mayor Gavin Newsom:

Today, the California Supreme Court took a bold and important step forward to end discrimination in California. The Court’s ruling to grant same-sex couples the right to marry affirms the very best of what California stands for – and proudly continues our state’s long-standing commitment to equality and justice.

As San Franciscans, we have taken an irrevocable step toward resolving one of the most important civil rights issues of our generation, and the state’s highest court has done the right thing with their ruling. San Francisco is the first government entity in American history to challenge the constitutionality of state marriage laws that discriminate against gay and lesbian couples. I believe that the path San Francisco pursued was not merely right – it was inevitable.  It is America’s path – the road to true freedom and equality.

The rights afforded by California’s Constitution have triumphed, as they must, over laws restricting marriage to opposite-sex couples.  In the late 1940s, California courts were among the nation’s first to strike down laws banning inter-racial marriage.  The state’s Supreme Court has once again distinguished itself as a leading defender of our civil rights.

I really like Fran Pavley, and have enormous respect for her. She’s running in a tight race with Asm. Lloyd Levine for SD-23.  And, fortunately, the former Assembly Leader doesn’t have to take credit for this horrendous website and the accompanying mailers.  This is an Independent Expenditure (IE) by EdVoice with the mailing address of a law firm up in Marin. I’m not totally sure what EdVoice, an education group is doing sending out environmental mail, but let’s just go with it.

In short, the mailer says, you better vote for Fran Pavley or the Polar Bears are all going to die. The other mailers displayed on the website’s “Gallery” are not so egregious, but they are all based upon this “carbon-free” concept. David Dayen, who lives in the district, points out that he’s now received  several mailers from the group, which undercuts the “Carbon-free” argument. Sending 5 mailers and offsetting one absentee vote.  I’ll let others think about the math on that one.

With this, and Arnold’s Great Honor, it is really turning out to be a banner day in California politics. Oh, and Karen Bass is being sworn in today as the first African-American female Speaker in any of the United States.  

Just a quick final reminder of the Calitics Show. You can stream it live on the Radio show home page or listen to a podcast there or at iTunes.

Assembly member Lloyd Levine and former Assembly member Fran Pavley will join us to talk about a number of California policy issues. I figure they might also mention the fact that they are both running for SD-23 as well.

(Don’t forget the Calitics Show this afternoon! – promoted by Brian Leubitz)

I'm really proud of the growth and improvement of the Calitics Show. I like to think that the podcast is becoming an exciting new medium for some good Calitics content. We've interviewed candidates and elected officials from across the state, and covered some of the major issues and races in the state.

This Monday, we have another exciting show. We will have both candidates for SD-23 Assembly member Lloyd Levine and former Assembly member Fran Pavley LIVE! We want to use this as a chance to discuss important policy issues facing the state, such as our worsening budget situation, the challenges facing our environment, the energy crisis and whatever issues they or YOU care to bring up.  We'll have time for just a few callers. The number is available at the Calitics Show Page. Also, if you have questions, feel free to leave them as comments to this post.