Two often-overlooked, down-ballot June 7 primary election contests deserve attention in Yorba Linda

Two down-ballot contests in the June primary election – listed well below the presidential, legislative and judicial races – merit attention from Yorba Linda residents because of their potential impact on local governmental decision-making.

With record interest in the Republican and Democratic presidential races, a large June 7 turnout is anticipated, with a more-than-usual number of Yorba Lindans voting in the little-noticed contests at the bottom of the ballot.

The often-overlooked contests include balloting for a county Board of Education seat and six slots on the county Republican Central Committee representing regions that include this and several other cities.

One of the county school trustee positions on the ballot is the Area 3 seat now held by 20-year incumbent Ken Williams, Jr., a physician residing in Villa Park. He defeated a 20-year incumbent when he was first elected in 1996.

His opponents are Michael Parham, an Irvine schools trustee, and Margaret Brown, facilities director for Garden Grove schools. Only Williams and Parham paid a $3,591 deposit for a 200-word statement to be mailed to registered voters with sample ballots starting April 28.

Williams and Parham each list support from fellow trustees: Robert Hammond and Linda Lindholm for Williams and David Boyd and Jack Bedell for Parham. Local endorsers are Councilman Gene Hernandez for Williams and schools Superintendent Doug Domene for Parham.

An interesting contest has shaped up for the six positions on the Orange County Republican Central Committee representing this county's area of the 55^th Assembly District that includes Yorba Linda, Placentia, Brea and La Habra.

The posts are important because the committee makes endorsements in City Council, school trustee, water district and other local contests, especially valuable in GOP-rich areas, such as Yorba Linda, with two and one-half times as many registered Republicans as Democrats.

The group had a significant impact on Yorba Linda's 2014 council elections by opposing the failed recall against Craig Young and Tom Lindsey and later endorsing winners Lindsey and Peggy Huang. Endorsements are expected for this year's council and water board contests.

Currently, five of the six 55^th District slots are held by Yorba Lindans, including Brett Barbre, a former Yorba Linda Water District director now on the county Municipal Water District's board; council members Gene Hernandez and Peggy Huang; and Karla Downing and Dennis White.

The five and La Habra Councilman Tim Shaw are seeking new terms that start Jan. 1. Of the nine challengers, seven are from Yorba Linda and two from Placentia. Yorba Lindans include Councilman Craig Young and Parks and Recreation Commissioner Tara Campbell.

Others are nurses Susi Khan and Nadia White; business owners James Gerbus and Irene Yezbak; and projects manager Ed Gunderson. The two from Placentia are Desare Ferrano and Michael Withrow.