Gary Blenner for Secretary of State
California’s biggest problems share a common root: a political system, dominated by two big tent political parties, that is financially corrupt and does not accurately represent working people in our state.
I’m running as a Green Party candidate for California Secretary of State to focus on one core mission: Electoral Reform. Before we can meaningfully address housing, climate change, education, or the cost of living, we must first fix how political power is allocated and how representatives are chosen.
This campaign is about making democracy functional, fair, and representative.
I moved to California in 1979 and have spent decades as an educator, union activist, and active participant in public life.
From 2006 to 2010, I served as an elected Trustee of the Center Joint Unified School District, where I worked on budgeting, governance, and public accountability. That experience gave me firsthand insight into how electoral systems shape real policy outcomes.
I also ran for the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors in 2012 and 2016. Those campaigns emphasized land use, environmental protection, and democratic reform—and reinforced my belief that structural flaws in our electoral system, not just individual officeholders, are the greatest barrier to good governance.
Ranked-Choice Voting (RCV): How It Works & Why It Matters
Why it’s beneficial:
Ensures winners have majority support
Eliminates the “spoiler effect”
Encourages more civil, issue-focused campaigns
Allows voters to vote for who they prefer, not just against someone
Expands meaningful voter choice beyond two parties
Ranked-choice voting should be used for all partisan statewide offices.
Proportional Representation for Congress (and Replacing Proposition 50)
California’s current congressional system combines single-member districts, winner-take-all outcomes, and punitive accountability mechanisms that distort representation.
I support replacing the existing structure with four 13-member congressional districts, elected through proportional representation, in place of Proposition 50.
Expanding the California State Assembly
California has one of the highest population-to-representative ratios in the nation.
I support:
Expanding the Assembly to 91 members
Creating seven 13-member Assembly districts
Electing members through proportional representation
Public financing of Campaigns
Let's get special interest money out of politics!
WHAT THE GREEN PARTY STANDS FOR
While this campaign focuses on electoral reform, the Green Party is guided by broader principles:
Environment & Climate
Strong environmental protections
Corporate accountability
Science-based climate policy
Protection of open space and natural resources
Housing & Cost of Living
Housing as a human necessity
Community-based planning
Opposition to speculative housing practices
Tenant protections paired with responsible development
Education
Fully funded public education
Strong local accountability
Respect for educators and staff
Opposition to privatization schemes
Electoral reform makes progress on these issues possible.
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Contact
Get in Touch with Gary