Below is an informal roundup of endorsements for the primary election, which has begun.

For judge the county central committee has endorsed Thislethwaite and Broderick.

Proposition 13 (seismic retrofits) has been endorsed by the Democrats and AFSCME but opposed by the Nurses Association. I know nothing more.

Proposition 15 (fair elections) has been endorsed by nearly all liberal groups.

Proposition 16 (PG&E ripoff) has been condemned by everyone decent and also by the Press Corporate-Democrat (!)

Proposition 17 (Mercury Insurance Rate Hikes) has been condemned across the board.

That leaves proposition 14, which would change the state primary system so that the top two vote getters, regardless of party affiliation, would face each other in the general election. Both the major political parties oppose this measure; it would make it more difficult for party regulars to control primary results. It would tend to blur ideological conflicts and produce more centrist candidates. At least that is what I would expect. Moderate Republicans might profit (as things stand, they can't win Republican primaries). In the primaries you would get crossover voting (Republicans voting for Democratic candidates and vice versa).

I don't know what to say. You might get two parties that would be less sharply divided by ideology or you might get a mushy situation manipulated by Big Money. Or both.

-----------------------Gary Goss