Candidates, Primaries and “Us”

April 2, 2026

Dr. John E. Warren urges Black voters to critically evaluate candidates in California's June 2nd primary rather than voting based on friends' recommendations, pre-arranged slates, or candidate associations with respected figures. He warns against the practice of tying lesser-known candidates to popular ones like Secretary of State Dr. Shirley Weber, hoping voters will support them automatically.

Who is affected

Black and African American voters in California
Democratic candidates running in the California Primary
Dr. Shirley Weber, California Secretary of State running for re-election
Community newspapers serving Black communities
Trump supporters holding public office (mentioned as counterexamples)

What action is being taken

Dr. Shirley Weber is running unopposed for another term as California Secretary of State
Various Democratic candidates are running in the California Primary
Some candidates are appearing in campaign literature alongside Dr. Weber's name
Trump is attempting to intimidate Secretaries of State and change the Electoral Process

Why it matters

The California Primary is critically important because it determines which candidates advance to the general election, and poor voting decisions during primaries can result in unqualified candidates gaining office simply through association with respected figures. Black voters' individual votes carry constitutional significance under the "One Man, One Vote" principle established in Reynolds vs. Sims (1964), and this community has historically been responsible for major legislative achievements like the Voting Rights Act and Civil Rights Act that benefit many Americans today.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint