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VOTE411 Voter Guide

California State Board of Equalization Member, District 3

★★★ 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 10 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 3 Area (map): 1 county — Los Angeles.District 3 Incumbent: Antonio Vazquez, Democrat. Now in his 2nd 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 10 candidates for State Board of Equalization Member, District 3, 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 3, 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)..Carolo Basail, Republican Party (did not return spending limit form by deadline)Rudy Bermudez, Democratic Party (did not return spending limit form by deadline)Mike Gipson, Democratic Party (2nd statement on linked page)Stephan Hohil, Republican Party (did not return spending limit form by deadline)Zhijing Liu, Democratic Party (did not return spending limit form by deadline)Marie Manvel, No Party Preference (did not return spending limit form by deadline)Rey Portela, Republican Party (accepted spending limit, but did not submit a statement)Baru Alejandro Sanchez, Democratic Party (accepted spending limit, but did not submit a statement)Samuel P. Sukaton, Democratic Party (did not accept spending limit)Yvonne Yiu, Democratic Party (1st statement on linked page).……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….★ 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 3:(Source, as of March 28, 2026).(1486442) Yvonne Yiu for State Board of Equalization 2026 has raised $807,300.00 in 8 contributions(1471779) Gipson for Board of Equalization 2026 has raised $781,737.45 in 277 contributions(1484005) Sukaton for State Board of Equalization 2026 has raised $19,983.00 in 70 contributions(1487810) SANCHEZ FOR BOARD OF EQUALIZATION 2026 has raised $25,000.00 in 1 contribution.The following 6 candidates had not reported any campaign contribution data as of March 28, 2026: Basail, Bermudez, Hohil, Liu, Manvel, Portela..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 10 candidate icons, to read the responses..Profiles under “Meet the candidates” are presented in the same order as on the ballot..………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Click a candidate icon to find more information about the candidate. To compare two candidates, click the "compare" button. To start over, click a candidate icon.

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    Carlo Basail
    (Rep)

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    Rudy Bermudez
    (Dem)

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    Mike Gipson
    (Dem)

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    Stephan Hohil
    (Rep)

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    Zhijing Liu
    (Dem)

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    Marie Manvel
    (NP)

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    Rey Portela
    (Rep)

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    Baru Alejandro Sanchez
    (Dem)

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    Samuel P. Sukaton
    (Dem)

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    Yvonne Yiu
    (Dem)

Biographical Information

1. If elected, what are your top 3 priorities?

2. What background, experience and/or education qualify you for this elected office? (You may use your candidate statement here if desired.)

Ballot Designation No Ballot Designation
Candidate's Political Party Republican Party
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Ballot Designation Taxpayer Advisor
Candidate's Political Party Democratic Party
Campaign Website http://bermudez4boe.com
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Ballot Designation State Assemblymember/Father
Candidate's Political Party Democratic Party
Campaign Website http://mikegipson.net
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Ballot Designation No Ballot Designation
Candidate's Political Party Republican Party
Campaign Email stephanhohil@gmail.com
Campaign Website http://stephan4cboe.com
Campaign Phone 424-508-2260
Remove ridiculous taxation on small and medium businesses and persons who make less than $100,000 in Los Angeles

Put forth legislation to remove the gas taxes in Los Angeles to bring true economic growth back to the county

Scour all previous tax legislation and repeal those that have stifled successful business and economic prosperity
I have experience as a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley working closely with many clients including accountants, accounting firms, lawyers, non profit organizations, small businesses and large corporations. The purpose was always to minimize tax exposure while investing for my clients and their businesses.

I was also a landlord who self managed and built multiple properties for 25 years. I understand the complexities of tax codes and the price and costs of fees, regulations and "Red Tape" in the government.
Ballot Designation Banker
Candidate's Political Party Democratic Party
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Ballot Designation Commissioner Vice Chair
Candidate's Political Party No Party Preference
Campaign Website http://marieforoffice.com
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Ballot Designation Licensed Tax Preparer
Candidate's Political Party Republican Party
Campaign Website http://reyportela.com
Campaign Phone 8186671802
Campaign Twitter Handle @@reyportela4boe
Campaign Instagram URL http://www.reyportelaforboe
Campaign Facebook URL http://www.reyportelaforboe
Campaign YouTube URL
If elected to the Board of Equalization, my top 3 priorities would be to ensure that property tax assessments are fair, consistent and transparent. Homeowners and small business owners deserve to know the Board is protecting them.
My background as a tax professional has given me a deep understanding of the California's complex tax system, and my experience working closely with taxpayers, homeowners, and small business owners, helps me navigate through their property tax issues. I bring not only technical expertise, but also a commitment to advocating for taxpayers and ensuring their voices are heard.
Ballot Designation CPA/Internal Auditor
Candidate's Political Party Democratic Party
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Ballot Designation Labor Union Organizer
Candidate's Political Party Democratic Party
Campaign Website http://samsukaton.com
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Ballot Designation Public Finance Boardmember
Candidate's Political Party Democratic Party
Campaign Website http://yvonneyiu.com
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.