This November, in San Mateo, the community must vote for several measures as well as candidates in various legislative positions. One election is for senator, as incumbent Senator Barbara Boxer is retiring after serving as a U.S. senator since 1993. California Attorney General Kamala Harris and 46th District Representative Loretta Sanchez, both of the Democratic Party, are seeking the newly vacant position.
Senior Amelia Solis, although unable to vote in this year’s election, says, “I support Kamala Harris for Senator. She has a lot of experience in national security and has proved herself to be efficient and successful. Also, she manages to be tough on security but still welcomes refugees and doesn’t group them with [the] terrorists they’re fleeing.”
On the contrary, senior Zvonimir Jarak believes, “Harris … laid out an eight-point plan to keep guns out of the hands of felons and people with mental disabilities. However, the State Auditor of California said that she has failed to effectively implement the program.”
While Sanchez and Harris agree on many issues, they differ most on foreign policy. Harris has supported the Obama administration; however, Sanchez believes there could be a better approach. So far, Harris has been leading in the polls according to a poll of the Aragon community conducted by the Outlook.
Voters must not only choose which candidate will serve as the best representative, but also vote on the measures proposed. One of San Mateo’s two measures is Measure Q, a rent initiative.
Jarak is against Measure Q, saying “It limits free market capitalism and does not let the market decide the rent prices and outcomes.”
