VOTER GUIDE: Candidates for state, local office

• Won re-election in 2006 with 56 percent of votes
• Authored the Social Security Number Protection Act
• Voted to repeal “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell”
• Supports capital punishment
• Supported the Affordable Care Act

Dianne Feinstein has been in the Senate for 10 years. Feinstein now seeks re-election by focusing on national security, safety, and protection of natural resources. She has emphasized child protection and is the lead author of the Amber Alert.

• Opposes immigration reform
• Against the Affordable Care Act
• Wants to lower taxes
• Advocated the Combatting Autism Act of 2006
• Opposes same-sex marriage

For many years, Elizabeth Emken oversaw many business aspects of IBM. Emken also served as the Vice President for Government Relations at Autism Speaks, during which she launched a multi-state campaign for insurance coverage of austistic patients.

• Won re-election to the U.S. House in 2010 with 53 percent of the vote
• Supported the Affordable Care Act

Sanchez works to provide funding for public schools to ensure quality education. Social Security and Medicare continue to be her priorities as well as the medical needs of her constituents, especially children.

• Supports repealing President Obama’s Affordable Care Act
• Supports the legalization of marijuana

Hayden wants to break ties between government and public education to ensure a better future for students. Hayden is a businessman, a volunteer for Foothill High School’s football program, and served on the Board of Directors for School Power.