★★★ IMPORTANT ★★★EXPAND this compressed “About This Race” window (by clicking "Read more") for valuable information. Don't miss it!.After reading the expanded “About This Race” content:Beneath the large "Meet the candidates" text below, click inside the small “View Answers” and “Compare Answers” boxes of each candidate you want to viewThen SCROLL ALL THE WAY DOWN, past ALL 6 candidate icons, to read the responses.Profiles under “Meet the candidates” are presented in the same order as on the ballot. For alphabetical lists of each party's candidates, see the “Paid Statements of Qualifications” section..………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….★ BASIC DUTIES OF THE OFFICE ★.The State Board of Equalization is the state's elected tax commission. From each of four districts in California, one Member is elected to serve on the Board, which:Assesses the property of regulated railroads and specific public utilities, and assesses and collects the private railroad car tax.Oversees the assessment practices of the state’s 58 county assessors.Assesses and collects the alcoholic beverage tax, and jointly administers the tax on insurers..Term: 4 years (renewable once, if voters re-elect).Base Salary: $184,447 as of Dec. 1, 2025. (Source)District 2 Area (map): 19 coastal counties — Alameda, Contra Costa, Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake, Marin, Mendocino, Monterey, Napa, San Benito, San Francisco, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Sonoma, Trinity, Ventura.District 2 Incumbent: Sally J. Lieber, Democratic Party. Now in her 1st term and eligible for re-election..………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….★ ABOUT THIS CONTEST ★.The two candidates with the most votes in the June primary election will run against each other in November. These two candidates could be from the same political party..There are 6 candidates for State Board of Equalization Member, District 2, on the Secretary of State's Certified List of Candidates, and thus on the primary election ballot..Additional candidates for this office might appear on the Secretary of State's Certified List of Write-In Candidates, which will be released May 22, 2026..……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….★ PAID STATEMENTS OF QUALIFICATIONS ★.All candidates for State Board of Equalization Member, District 2, who accepted a campaign spending limit of $1,961,000 were eligible to purchase space for a 250-word statement in the state Voter Information Guide, at the rate of $25 per word, not to exceed $6,250 (250 words)..Sally J. Lieber, Democratic Party (2nd statement on linked page)John Pimentel, Democratic Party (1st statement on linked page)J Brett Marymee, Republican (accepted spending limit, but did not submit statement)Mark McComas, Republican (did not file spending limit form by deadline)Bill Shireman, Republican (1st statement on linked page)John W. Zaruka, Republican (did not file spending limit form by deadline).……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….★ CAMPAIGN FINANCE DATA ★.With some exceptions, the deadline to report campaign contributions and expenditures for the period January 1–April 18 is April 23. This means that as of March 28, 2026, most reported campaign finance activities took place in 2025..Fundraising Totals of Active Campaigns for BOARD OF EQUALIZATION MEMBER, DISTRICT 2:(Source, as of March 28, 2026).(1485721) PIMENTEL FOR BOARD OF EQUALIZATION 2026 has raised $250,000.00 in 2 contributions(1478243) Sally Lieber for Board of Equalization 2026 has raised $225,101.61 in 6 contributions.The following 4 candidates had not reported any campaign contribution data as of March 28, 2026: Marymee, McComas, Shireman, Zaruka..Additional resources:.For the top ten contributors (above a certain threshold) to campaigns for State elected offices, visit fppc.ca.gov/search-filings/top-10-contributors-list/june-2026-primary-election. (No relevant data posted as of March 28, 2026.).For details of all contributors to candidates for State elected offices, visit powersearch.sos.ca.gov/advanced.php..For details of independent expenditures by groups in support of (or in opposition to) candidates for State elected offices, visit powersearch.sos.ca.gov..……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….TO VIEW INFORMATION SHARED BY THE CANDIDATES (more coming soon, so check back!):.Beneath the large "Meet the candidates" text below, click inside the “View Answers” and “Compare Answers” boxes of each candidate you want to view. Then SCROLL ALL THE WAY DOWN, past ALL 6 candidate icons, to read the responses..Profiles under “Meet the candidates” are presented in the same order as on the ballot..………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Ballot Designation
Member, State Board of Equalization
Candidate's Political Party
Democratic Party
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Ballot Designation
Small Business Owner
Candidate's Political Party
Republican Party
Campaign Phone
8056885842
1, Maintain or lower Proposition 13 mandated tax rates
2. Repeal the CA Gas tax
3. Defeat the proposed Mileage tax that will cripple residents if implemented by the incumbent
I seek to represent District 2 on the CA Board of Equalization and bring a unique and diverse professional background that combines expertise in aerospace (~40 years), government (22 years elected service on multiple Santa Barbara County boards), and 32 years as a small business owner. I am the only endorsed Reform California candidate for District 2.
As an engineering executive, systems engineer, manager, and rocket scientist, I have a strong technical foundation that has equipped me with the problem-solving skills and leadership experience needed to succeed in this role. My career in the aerospace industry refined my ability to tackle large-scale, high-stakes projects—skills that are essential in effective governance with this board.
I am currently Vice-President of the Santa Ynez River Water Conservation District (SYRWCD), having been elected to my third four-year term. I served five years as Chair of the Santa Barbara County Eastern Management Area Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA), where I played a key role in the development and approval of the Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) by the state. I am in the second year of service as an elected Director on the Santa Ynez Community Services District. Through these roles, I have successfully collaborated with various member agencies, including the City of Solvang and the County of Santa Barbara, to navigate complex, multi-stakeholder processes.
My dedication to public service is evident in my commitment to the governance of water resources and community services in the Santa Ynez Valley. If elected, I will work to ease the tax burden on all Californians.
I appreciate your consideration and respectfully solicit your vote. With your support, I will bring my experience, leadership, and commitment to public service to the CA Board of Equalization and continue working towards effective, affordable and sustainable solutions for California.
Learn more at www.jbrettmarymee.com and LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/j-b-marymee-1101b3101/
Ballot Designation
Small Business Advocate
Candidate's Political Party
Republican Party
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Ballot Designation
Member, Board of Trustees, San Mateo County Community College District
Candidate's Political Party
Democratic Party
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Ballot Designation
Taxpayer Advocate
Candidate's Political Party
Republican Party
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Ballot Designation
Retired Hospitality Executive
Candidate's Political Party
Republican Party
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.