By Michael Hernandez (Aug. 4, 2026)

REDDING–“Candidates are desperately needed in many local races and the Aug. 7 state deadline is rapidly approaching,” said Carl DeMaio, chairman of Reform California. “Thousands of local offices are up for grabs in California’s November election–but Republicans are at risk of forfeiting nearly 2,500 seats if they don’t find candidates to file for them by the filing deadline.

“If you are upset about the state of California or the community you live in, now is the time to do something about it! With the November 2026 election approaching quickly, besides voting for change, you can run for office or recruit someone to run — and help be the change you want to see.

“One of the best ways to fix this state and tackle rising costs, rising crime, and our failing schools is for you to step up and run for office or recruit someone else to run — the process is easy and you can very likely win,” said DeMaio.

“We have to challenge each and every seat in order to win and restore sanity in our state, starting from the local level on up, and if you have integrity, if you can balance a checkbook — you are more qualified than most people currently in office,” DeMaio assured.

“In many cases, just putting your name on the ballot is enough to make you win — because local races don’t have a party label, other people forget to file, or it’s a year where voters decide to vote against incumbents,” explained DeMaio.

DeMaio laid out the process for running for office:

1. Visit Your Registrar of Voters: Go to your local registrar of voters website. You can find it here: https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voting-resources/county-elections-offices
2. Check Timeline of Filing: Find the section for candidates on the registrar of voters website and check the timeline of events to see when filing opens and closes.
3. Check Qualifications: Make sure you’re qualified to run for an office by checking the qualifications of that office. In most cases, you just have to be 18 and live in the district.
4. Check You’re In the District: Some registrar of voters websites will have a map or lookup system where you can see which districts you live in, but you can also call your registrar of voters to ask.
5. Check with Your City Clerk: You can also check with your City Clerk for help with filing for local elections
6. Connect with Supporting Groups: Connect with Reform California to help with problems that come up as you’re filing, and check with your local Republican Party.

DeMaio says that if you need further help or would like an endorsement to contact his team using this form.

“Fixing this state requires us all to get involved and to stay and fight — that’s why I’m running for office instead of moving away, and I need you to get involved too so we can make this state an affordable and safe place to live again,” said DeMaio.

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(Editor’s Note: The current Shasta County Clerk is Clint Curtis who was appointed by the Board of Supervisors in 2025. His term ends in January, 2027 and Joanna Francescut, the former Assistant County Clerk, who worked the elections office for 17 years will assume office at that time.

Mike Hernandez, is founder, publisher, editor of California’s statewide online news platform: https://calirednews.com/ and co-founder of the Citizens Journal–Ventura County’s online news service. He is a former Southern California daily newspaper journalist and religion and news editor, writer of “Mike Hernandez – On The News” and “Prayer Over News Daily” and other columns. Mr. Hernandez mentors citizen journalists and can be contacted at MikeHernandezMedia.com dedicated to advancing truth, service, and hope through Mission News Service.)