There’s more to Election Day than campaign platforms. While candidates run on policy ideas and promises, they are human beings behind all those glossy mailers. The Weekly has made a tradition of asking about some of that behind-the-scenes work of campaigning, getting to know the candidates beyond their talking points. Here’s what a selection of them, both winners and losers, had to say on Election Day, March 5, 2024.

Dawn Addis, who led in the primary for re-election to the State Assembly

What did you eat for breakfast this morning?

I had fresh fruit, toast, turkey bacon and coffee, and I’m almost positive the same as last time [Election Day]. Breakfast of champions. My husband makes me breakfast every morning. 

What superstition or good-luck rituals do you rely on for Election Day?

I never count my chickens before they hatch. I believe in working hard until the very end. I’ve done that no matter what race I’ve been in. I would never claim a victory before it was a true victory, no matter how good it looks. 

The biggest ritual is to withhold judgment until the very end, and don’t get ahead of myself. 

How many hours did you sleep last night?

I slept pretty well last night. We’ve been working hard. Probably seven or eight. 

What book are you reading right now?

I’m listening on Audible, I’m in the car so much, it’s nine hours round trip [between Morro Bay and Sacramento]—a book my son recommended to me, Pachinko. 

What was your highlight/lowlight of the campaign?

People have really responded positively to me after this first term. They’re really excited for their representation, once [they] see that you're delivering results. 

What's the most interesting interaction you had with a voter?

One that stands out the most is—I used to teach students with special needs—and I had an open house coffee in Santa Cruz. A woman brought her adult child who had a very impactful disability, was nonverbal. I think she expected I wouldn’t understand the issues at all, and not be able to interact with her child. I was able to get down on the ground and shake his hand, let him know he was welcome. I had some experience with this. It was just one of those very touching moments. I think they felt seen, and it made me feel good, that I was able to bring that to this position in a very human way. It really humanized what we are doing. 

What are you doing this weekend to relax?

I can be a real homebody. I’m hoping to spend time with my family. I have a son who’s a senior, and I’m very aware he’s going to be gone soon. 

Luis Alejo, who was re-elected to a third term as Monterey County Supervisor for District 1 after running unopposed

What did you eat for breakfast this morning?

Only coffee, with cinnamon vanilla cream. I was here in Watsonville walking for Measure N, and every time I’m in town I go to Super Taqueria and get the asada burrito, my favorite burrito. There are a lot of good burritos in town, but especially in campaign mode, it is a good stop. 

What superstition or good-luck rituals do you rely on for Election Day?

For me, the good luck thing is that I didn’t take it for granted. Even despite having no challenger, I sent mail to my voters and walked. I’ve got to earn it and show respect. That good luck is showing respect by walking, even when there is no challenger.

To have a non-contested race twice in a row was something I didn’t expect, but I really appreciate the outpouring of support. 

What book are you reading right now?

It’s my 50th birthday on March 27, and I am going to Spain for the Running of the Bulls, so I picked up the Ernest Hemingway book a week or so ago. The Sun Also Rises made the Running of the Bulls famous. It’s on my list of things to read after the election.

it’s my 16th year in politics. When I started out I was 34, and now I’m turning 50. That’s the big number. 

What's the most surprising interaction you had with a voter this election?

The skyrocketing price of home insurance. Now it's affecting voters in urban areas, in Salinas. I had this gentleman on East Laurel come up to me, he had remodeled his home and AAA wouldn’t extend his coverage. He’s had to go to the state FAIR program that would be three or four times the cost. Voters in Prunedale were paying $2,000/year, now it's $10,000/year. It reminded me what a crisis there is in homeowners' insurance in California. 

What are you doing this weekend to relax post-election?

I will have a family and supporter celebration at the end of this month, partly a birthday party. It will probably be at my house. 

Kate Daniels, who was elected as county supervisor for District 5

What did you eat for breakfast this morning?

I didn’t eat breakfast, I skipped it unfortunately. I did eat lunch. I ate some tuna and some rice and some salad.

What superstition or good-luck rituals do you rely on for Election Day?

I will be campaigning until 8pm when the polls close. I feel very superstitious about arriving at any campaign party before 8pm.

How many hours did you sleep last night?

We went to bed at 10:30 and I slept until 6am. What is that, seven-and-a-half hours?

What book are you reading right now?

I just started a book I could not get into by JoJo Moyes…I just read one of the best books of my entire life, Fresh Water for Flowers by Valérie Perrin.

What was your highlight/lowlight of the campaign?

It was literally getting the opportunity to speak to so many voters, constituents in the district, that made me realize that the issues they care about are the same issues I focused my campaign on…resolving the housing supply, bringing the cost of living down, making the region more hospitable for residents to continue living here.

The low part of this campaign? It’s not comparable at all to the high point. It was running the campaign…being a candidate, it’s not so much fun.

What are you doing this weekend to relax?

I’m going to head down to Big Sur and spend the weekend.

Alan Haffa, who ran and lost in his race for county supervisor District 5 

What did you eat for breakfast this morning?

I had granola, yogurt and fruit.

What superstition or good-luck rituals do you rely on for Election Day?

I don’t have any really. I don’t believe in superstition. 

How many hours did you sleep last night?

Quite a bit, I think about eight hours.

What book are you reading right now?

For my class, I was reading Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad. [Haffa is an English professor at Monterey Peninsula College.]

What was your highlight/lowlight of the campaign?

Talking to voters at their doors. I saw so many voters and so many people shared with me how much they appreciate the work I’ve done in Monterey and Monterey County. It was nice to feel recognized.

The lowlight is probably many (laughs) but probably the biggest challenge for me was having a serious health issue in the fall, and then my wife getting hit by a car. It made it challenging, but despite those obstacles we got through it. We ran a good campaign and I’m proud of it.

What's the most surprising interaction you had with a voter?

Three or four days ago we were going out for pizza, and someone was walking up the street and said, “Give ‘em hell Haffa!” I don’t know who they were. It was a really good sign to me.

What are you doing this weekend to relax?

Honestly, probably grading papers (laughs).

Robert Rivas, who led in the primary in his re-campaign for State Assembly where he serves as Speaker of the Assembly

Do you have any kind of Election Day ritual or superstition that you relied on today?

This is my first election as Speaker, so some things are quite different. This day was very busy, like all others—I look forward to when the polls close looking at the results. 

We still have to face a general election, and the result tonight is really a precursor to what we expect to face in the November election. 

How did you start your day today?

I always start my day off early [about 5:30am], and try to stay relatively healthy. I start with protein shake, and I always throw in a bunch of vegetables, fruit and vitamins. Then I had a whole bunch of meetings and phone calls. I've been reaching out to a lot of candidates at the local level, and statewide as well, obviously with our eyes towards November. It's a critical election in November.

What are you watching in the primary, specifically?

I am watching turnout in the four counties [in my district]: San Benito, Monterey, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz. 

What I am looking toward is turnout, locally and statewide. We know that turnout has been very low. We can always do a better job of communicating to voters and speaking to those issues they care most about. 

I am very curious to see what that turnout is. I have spent the better part of my speakership since June traveling this state, and people are very concerned about the impact we are having on issues they are worried about. 

What's the most surprising interaction you had with a voter?

It boils down to affordability. There are so many intersections across issues—housing, homelessness, inflation, economic development, education. People are just struggling to make ends meet. They feel like they are working harder than ever just to get by, both in urban areas and rural areas. For me, the easy, most obvious one is housing affordability. 

What book are you reading right now?

I try to carve out time to read—I have to find opportunities to wind down. I had time to walk over to the bookstore near the Capitol this morning, and just picked up a book about infrastructure; I don’t have title. 

I am reading Fairy Tale by Stephen King. And the other book was a gift to me from former Speaker Pro Tem John Burton. It's called A Rage For Justice [by John Jacobs] about Burton's brother, Phillip Burton, who was a member of Congress. I've enjoyed it thus far. 

What are you doing this weekend to relax?

I think we will start our day off very early tomorrow. We have so many issues going on here in Sacramento, including a significant budget deficit. 

I’m excited to get this election behind us. We will pivot quickly and get to the work ahead here in Sacramento—and also work toward very important elections in November. 

How are you feeling when you look ahead to November?

There is reason for concern. When the likely Republican candidate is Donald Trump, that is reason for concern. This is an election that will be one of the most consequential elections of our lifetime. For me, it’s about ensuring we do everything we can at the ballot box, and once we have a clear picture of what those swing states will be, visiting those swing states. 

I am proud to lead the most diverse legislative body in the history of our state, and in the world. We need a federal government that is going to be a strong partner for our state. 

There’s a lot at stake in November—the future of democracy.  

Fernando Ansaldo, who was elected as a member of Soledad City Council 

What did you eat for breakfast this morning?

I had some leftover tacos de asada that my mom made for dinner last night, and a whole lot of coffee. I didn't get much sleep so I need to be alert for today.

What superstition or good-luck rituals do you rely on for Election Day?

I'm not very superstitious, and I think my good luck charm is my family. They keep me grounded.

How many hours did you sleep last night?

Around six hours, which is pretty low for me. I usually get seven or eight but  I woke up pretty early this morning, around 5am. I wake up that early to go to work anyway. I think my circadian rhythm just wakes me up; usually I'm up at 4:30am since I work in San Jose, and I go to the gym before.

What book are you reading right now?

I'll be honest, I don't have much time for leisure reading. All I've been reading have been candidate statements and city council meeting agendas.

What was your highlight/lowlight of the campaign?

My highlight was seeing all of the community support for my candidacy. I don’t really think I had a low point in the campaign. I think it's been pretty positive.

What's the most surprising interaction you had with a voter?

Somebody with very strong opinions who was letting me know about how they don't really like how things are going in the city and they don't like politics. it was very like, "Oh, wow."I had to take a step back. Then they ended up saying that they had already voted for me anyway. So I thought it was kind of funny because I was a little worried speaking with them, but they said that they still supported me because they want to see a new generation on the dais.

What are you doing this weekend to relax?

My birthday is next week so I'm going to just spend some time with my family and celebrate a little bit early. I'll be turning 29 and I'm saying that because there was an interview that said that I was 30, but I'm not 30 yet. 

Wendy Root Askew, county supervisor who won re-election for District 2 

What did you eat for breakfast this morning?

Black coffee. I may have had a piece of toast. Usually just black coffee. 

What superstition or good-luck rituals do you rely on for Election Day?

I did make phone calls to say thank you to people who early on had supported me the first time. I’m reflecting on the people who have supported me along the way with some intention. 

How many hours did you sleep last night?

Nine-and-a-half. I’m a sleeper, I take my sleep seriously. 

What book are you reading right now?

Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City by Matthew Desmond. I heard a podcast where he spoke—he’s saying all the things out loud we’re not supposed to talk about. 

What was your highlight/lowlight of the campaign?

I’ve spent a lot this campaign focusing on the last campaign, and recognizing stark differences. The weight of this work weighs heavily on me, but I hold a lot of hope for path to move forward. There’s an excitement I have; I think I had an aspirational hope in the last campaign, but now I have very tangible reasons for hope. I’m touching what’s possible, and how many bridges have been built in my first term. So many people supported me this time around that didn’t support me the first time. 

What's the most surprising interaction you had with a voter?

I don’t know that I had one. Last cycle, people offered me money in for exchange for very specific things. That was shocking to me. This time, people have been very reasonable. (I definitely didn’t take the money.) I was like, are you really asking me that? That happened multiple times from multiple people.

Now, people recognize me when I’m on the news; I still get surprised by that. And I love it, being able to have those random conversations because people recognize me. It’s a hard thing to get used to. 

What are you doing this weekend to relax?

There are a bunch of community events I’m going to be at. I think my family hopes I will spend some time with them as well.

John Laird, who led in the primary for his re-election campaign to the State Senate

What did you eat for breakfast this morning?

OJ, coffee, a muffin, a banana and raisin bran.

What superstition or good-luck rituals do you rely on for Election Day?

I don't really have one.

How many hours did you sleep last night?

Seven hours.

What book are you reading right now?

King Leopold’s Ghost: A Story of Greed, Terror, and Heroism in Colonial Africa by Adam Hochschild.

What was your highlight/lowlight of the campaign?

A highlight was getting to know people in San Benito County [in a redrawn district since the last election]. The lowlight was missing the only candidate forum because I was not in the district.

What's the most surprising interaction you had with a voter?

I was waiting in line at a restaurant in Morro Bay and had someone recognize me and thank me for a bill I was doing.

What are you doing this weekend to relax?

I'm going to take one day off and remind my spouse who I am.