28 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY OCTOBER 8-14, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com A capital campaign is underway for a needed emergency department expansion, but there are bigger challenges as cost pressures butt up against federal policy changes that will lead to a major drop in reimbursement from insurance—plus, Kaiser’s entrance into the market poses a challenge to the business model. “The biggest challenge to SVH over the next four years will be to keep our doors open,” Carson acknowledges. Dacus’ biggest distinction is that he is well connected and could help fundraise for capital projects, a worthy effort that we hope he supports regardless of the election outcome. The current board and the CEO they hired, Dr. Allen Radner, seem well equipped to handle potentially existential challenges ahead. Marina Coast Water District BOARD OF DIRECTORS | GAIL MORTON, JAN SHRINER, MATTHEW ZEFFERMAN A braintrust of three experienced water board candidates who are genuinely motivated by public service are all running again for at-large positions on Marina Coast Water District. Voters should send all three back to continue to leverage their knowledge of hydrological constraints, the regulatory landscape and local water politics. Gail Morton, Jan Shriner and Matthew Zefferman (after a break from his first term) all bring up the need to address multiple challenges—chiefly sustainable water supply and ratepayer affordability—and specific ideas on how to do that (and all three also note progress the district has already made). “Seawater intrusion and over-pumping pose grave problems for our water supply, and on the legal front, the battle against Cal Am’s invasion of our aquifer continues,” Morton notes. “Countering these threats will require development of new water sources, smarter conservation and use of recycled water, alert investment in infrastructure and technologies, strong alliances with state and regional agencies and community buy-in.” We think this group of three known quantities is capable of pursuing that long list of strategies, while challenger Dalila Epperson appears to have no experience in water. State of California GOVERNOR | XAVIER BECERRA We did not endorse Xavier Becerra in the primary because we felt that he hadn’t demonstrated the type of leadership needed to tackle big problems facing the state. Since he won that crowded primary in June with 28 percent of the vote, all Becerra has done is essentially hide out from the press and voters. He has held one debate and one press conference since June. This may prove to be an effective electoral strategy, but it is certainly not confidence-infusing leadership. Becerra has long legislative history, albeit most of it in Washington, D.C. as a member of the House and as Secretary of Health and Human Services. He also served as California’s Attorney General. We are endorsing him as the best candidate in this race. While Republican Steve Hilton is much more actively engaging with everyday Californians, his policies on immigration, education and social services for the neediest Californians are out of step with the mainstream in 2026 and would turn our state backward. State Assembly DISTRICT 29 | ROBERT RIVAS Robert Rivas has wielded the power of the position of Speaker of the Assembly with particular impact. His stature is about to be enhanced. With his eight years in the Assembly, three of them as Speaker, Rivas will be the savvy Sacramento old-timer that a new governor is going to have to negotiate with to move his legislative agenda forward. Rivas has had a number of successes this term. He put a $25 million stash of money aside to sue the Trump administration, which he reports preserved $188 billion in federal money destined for California. He led the legislative push to draft Proposition 50, the state’s redistricting initiative to counter Trump’s Republican-friendly gerrymandering, in time for this year’s midterm elections. He capped the number of bills that can be introduced each session and has launched a legislative oversight tool so that lawmakers can assess current laws instead of drafting new legislation if it isn’t needed. And unlike previous speakers, he has also continued to push legislation of his own. Last session, he co-authored Assembly Bill 1454, a landmark literacy education bill that included $200 million for implementation. Dennis Sanchez, a Republican from Castroville, has offered few specifics on his platform other than a commitment to the Salinas Police Department, which is not a state agency. DISTRICT 30 | DAWN ADDIS Two years ago when we endorsed Dawn Addis for reelection, we commended her for having swiftly gotten up to speed on Monterey County issues in her first term. She proved to be a good listener and a strong advocate for locals. That remains the case and was on display last winter as Addis was everywhere after the Vistra battery storage fire in Moss Landing. Since that endorsement in 2024, Addis has drafted two bills to grant local authority precedence over state policies on energy infrastructure. Assembly Bill 3233, passed in 2024, grants local control over oil and gas exploration. AB 303 was introduced in 2025 to give local governments control over the siting of battery storage facilities. (That bill died in committee.) While advocating for local control may play well at a town hall, in the wrong hands or on the wrong issue, it might look a lot more like cronyism or NIMBYism. We again endorse Addis for reelection because of her commitment to her district, but we urge a little more restraint and perspective as far as local control goes. Republican Shannon Kessler would take it dangerously further, with an endorsement from California Cities for Local Control. The parental rights advocate also talks about protecting fairness in girls’ sports, a disqualifying dog whistle for an anti-trans agenda. The district deserves an inclusive, open-minded leader. United States Congress DISTRICT 18 | ZOE LOFGREN Zoe Lofgren is one of the longest-serving members of the House of Representatives, first elected to represent San Jose in 1994. After redistricting in 2023, her territory extends down the length of the Salinas Valley and she has quickly lent her seniority and legislative skill to bringing a bunch of infrastructure projects to the region. She secured $3.4 million federal funds to match state money to help kickstart new, desperately needed water supply in the South Monterey County town of San Lucas. It has been 15 years since the residents there were informed that the tap water was not safe to drink. Similar earmarks for Rancho Cielo, the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex, Hartnell College and Clinica de Salud del Valle de Salinas demonstrate Nick Smith | Pacific Grove mayor DANIEL DREIFUSS “I THINK SALINAS IS A TOWN THAT IS STUCK A LITTLE IN THE PAST.”
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