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Reviewing the Candidates’ Forum for Modesto City Council District 6

October 5, 2020 By Eric Caine 9 Comments

Hunter Sauls military dress
Hunter Sauls

Four candidates participated in the Modesto Bee’s Candidates’ Forum for Modesto City Council’s District 6 on September 16. Two of the candidates, David Wright and Kelsten Obert, said they would be voting for Ted Howze for congress. Given Howze’s contempt for science and medicine, his documented lies, and his failure to explain racist and xenophobic posts on social media, we believe this endorsement alone disqualifies them for local leadership. The other two candidates are Jessica Gonzalez and Hunter Sauls

In what amounts to an endorsement of Mayor Ted Brandvold and a city council that failed during the Covid crisis, David Wright distinguished himself among candidates in general by saying he thought the council and mayor have, “done a good job.” When asked who he supported for mayor, Wright replied he supported both Brandvold and Doug Ridenour. If elected, David Wright would almost certainly help prolong our crisis in much the same way Ted Brandvold has — by denying science and resisting state mandates.

Wright seems determined to represent the status quo at a time when we’re in dire need of change. Given the greatest crisis of our times, Modesto Mayor Ted Brandvold followed Donald Trump into the dark abyss of scientific ignorance and mortal peril by urging reopening last April. Now, he’s doing it all over again in a video urging local authorities to stop enforcing Covid restrictions. Endorsing him is tantamount to endorsing a longer bout of Covid-19 and more delays on reopening our businesses and schools.

Kelsten Obert is an appealing young businessman whose comments about Congressman Josh Harder sounded like he was reading from a Ted Howze campaign mailer. During a time of extreme polarization, Harder has won awards for bipartisanship and managed to be more effective in two years than his predecessor was in eight, yet Obert claimed Harder has done almost nothing since elected. There’s no reason to expect a candidate who recites rote campaign material from a Trump acolyte will help reboot a council stuck in a mire of discord and dysfunction, especially since the council has been led by a mayor who also supports Ted Howze.

Tenth Street Place Downtown Modesto
Tenth Street Place Downtown Modesto

Jessica Gonzalez would be a fine representative on the city council. She’s part of a successful local business and is in constant contact with a wide variety of Valley residents; she has a good sense of the issues people care about.

Hunter Sauls’ five years’ experience in the army taught him the value of teamwork and gave him a clear sense of mission. He noted that the military follows and enforces Covid-19 guidelines closely. He took a firm stand in favor of setting and following Covid guidelines.

Sauls’ family has deep roots in Modesto. They’ve been associated with Willey Printing for decades and Sauls works in the shop. He’s part of a rising generation of young leaders who will safeguard our health and bring back our economy. Mature beyond his years, Sauls is our choice to help redirect a council that lost its way under the leadership of Ted Brandvold.

Filed Under: Politics Tagged With: David Wright, Hunter Sauls, Hunter Sauls for Modesto City Council, Ted Howze

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jason Marshburn says

    October 5, 2020 at 8:32 pm

    Hey Eric, 90% of this article is garbage, shocked that you reached the right conclusion, I also agree that Sauls is right for district 6.

    Complete that ballot though with a Howze
    and around it out with a vote for Donald J Trump! The valley is lifted in a Trump economy, freebies and an economic recession await if Biden wins…

    Reply
    • Dana McGarry says

      October 6, 2020 at 12:19 pm

      The valley is lifted in a Trump economy? The same economy he smashed by going against science and causing Stanislaus County to remain a hot spot for COVID? His actions against protecting human life for the sake of the stock market is more than shameful, it’s immoral.

      Reply
      • Alexandra says

        October 7, 2020 at 9:38 am

        Yes, queen!!!

        Reply
      • PJ says

        October 14, 2020 at 1:06 pm

        100% Agree!! They are for filling their Own pockets, they are NOT for the betterment or helping the People…The American People!!

        Reply
    • PJ says

      October 14, 2020 at 1:03 pm

      Hey Jason, your reply…100% Garbage!! All 3 choices are Completely WRONG! Wrong for the Economy, Wrong for Modesto, Wrong for the state AND Most Definitely WRONG for America AND Americans!! Just PLAIN WRONG. None of them have done ANYTHING they said they would do for folks, except line & Fill their Own Pockets! Shame on Them ALL!!

      Reply
  2. Joe says

    October 6, 2020 at 6:56 am

    Thanks Erick for your review of the various candidates for this election. I appreciate your community service.

    Reply
  3. Michael Johnson says

    October 6, 2020 at 10:01 am

    Why do choose whose comments to delete? Ted Howze is who the valley needs!

    Go Hunter!

    Reply
  4. Engaged young voter says

    October 12, 2020 at 1:50 am

    Thank you for this quick overview- it was breif, to the point, provided relavent information and helped me make a decision

    Reply
  5. Trump2020 says

    November 2, 2020 at 7:37 pm

    Such non-sense, I voted opposite of everything you recommended.

    Reply

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