Here's a slew of candidates, etc in California (more local races further down)

First off, I think NO ON PROPOSITION 8 is a must. This Hate Proposition is just plain wrong. Let's stop trying to legislate some kind of separate-but-equal marriage policy. To quote from a Daily Kos blog:

Proposition 8 is an unapologetic attempt by religious extremists to deny civil rights to a minority group incapable of independently defending itself against encroachments on its freedom.

Here is what Apple Computer says right on their website (I am more of a PC person, but here Apple is kick ass):

No on Prop 8
Apple is publicly opposing Proposition 8 and making a donation of $100,000 to the No on 8 campaign. Apple was among the first California companies to offer equal rights and benefits to our employees’ same-sex partners, and we strongly believe that a person’s fundamental rights — including the right to marry — should not be affected by their sexual orientation. Apple views this as a civil rights issue, rather than just a political issue, and is therefore speaking out publicly against Proposition 8.

More No on Prop 8 endorsements:

CA Prop 8: Sacramento Bee Newspaper Endorses No on Prop 8...also California Psychological Association Encourages Members to Vote No on 8....also, The Desert Sun Newspaper Endorses No on 8

Your a Good Man Charlie Brown! Charlie Brown for CA-4

Lt. Col. Charlie Brown is running for the CA-4 Congressional seat. Brown has a distinguished service record:

After graduating in 1972, he began a distinguished 26-year Air Force career during which he was involved in every U.S. military conflict from Vietnam to Desert Storm.

As a rescue helicopter pilot based in Thailand at the end of the Vietnam War, Charlie participated in the evacuations of Saigon, Phnom Penh, and the infamous Mayaguez Incident—for which he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. In Vietnam, he saw the human cost of faulty equipment and bad intelligence up close. It’s a lesson he’s never forgotten.

After the war, Charlie transitioned to fixed wing aircraft and working with intelligence collection assets. He piloted reconnaissance missions in support of combat operations in Grenada, Panama, Lebanon, and Libya, and flew Cold War related missions around the world. After the first Gulf War, Charlie served two rotations in Saudi Arabia, where he coordinated surveillance flights over Iraq’s “No Fly Zones.”

Charlie Brown has been endorsed by:

Veterans Press, Veterans Vision, Chico Enterprise-Record/Oroville Mercury-Register, Chico News & Review, Esquire Magazine, Modoc Record, Sacramento Bee, Alliance for Retired Americans, International Association of Firefighters, Local 522, 4409 and 3809, National Farmers Union (NATFARM), Roseville Firefighters Union Local 1592, General Wesley Clark, VoteVets.org PAC, and many others.

Here is a candidate endorsed by the Indigenous Democratic Network (INDN List):

Commissioner Todd Gloria
Candidate for San Diego City Council
Enrolled Member of Tlight-Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska

Congratulations, Todd! Todd won his June 3, 2008 primary with 40.56% of the votes. He will be on the general election ballot on November 4. INDN's List is proud of Todd's success!

Commissioner Todd Gloria is running for San Diego City Council. He brings a wealth of experience in housing policy to the campaign trail. Todd was appointed to the Board of Commissioners in 2005. Since 2001, he has been the district director and housing advisor for U.S. Congresswoman Susan A. Davis. Todd has worked with the Congresswoman to support federal funding for affordable housing programs, expand local military family housing, and improve the U.S. Department of Veteran's Affairs home loan program. Before joining Congresswoman Davis, Todd worked in the County of San Diego's Health and Human Services Agency.

In addition to his dedication to housing concerns, Todd is dedicated to his community. He has served on the County of San Diego's Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS grant allocation team and helped establish the Sunburst Apartments, a 24-unit affordable housing complex for young people in East Village, San Diego. Todd has received several awards for his service. He was named a 1999 Harry S. Truman Scholar and one of San Diego's "Top 40 Under Forty" by San Diego Metropolitan Magazine in 2005.

Here is a list of Progressive candidates running in California worth your support (all endorsed by Progressive Majority):

Marty Block
Candidate for State Assembly - District 78 (Open Seat)
San Diego County

Marty Block is a candidate for the 78th Assembly District. He is currently elected to the San Diego Community College District Board of Trustees, and previously served on the San Diego Board of Education. The 78th is currently held by a conservative, but she is term-limited out of office. This district has grown more Democratic over the years and is one of the best opportunities for a progressive victory this year. Marty would provide a strong platform for progressive issues in San Diego.

Click here to support and learn more about Marty.

Mark Ridley-Thomas
Candidate for Los Angeles County Supervisor - District 2 (Challenger)

California Senator Mark Ridley-Thomas is running for the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, 2nd District, in the highest priority race for progressives in Los Angeles County. Mark is running against a formidable candidate, former chief of police and current Los Angeles City Councilman Bernard Parks. Although elected by a majority African American district, Parks has a conservative voting record when it comes to investing in communities. If Parks wins, Los Angeles County will be controlled by a conservative majority at a time when county hospitals and emergency services in communities of color are facing closure. Mark has been a staunch supporter of progressive issues such as the establishment of school health centers, consumer protection, community reinvestment, jobs and workforce development.

Click here to support and learn more about Mark.

Bob Blumenfield
Candidate for State Assembly - District 40 (Open Seat)
Los Angeles, Northridge, Van Nuys

Bob is running for the California Assembly, 40th District. For the past seven years Bob has been the District Director to Congressman Howard Berman. Bob is Chair of the Valley Anti-Defamation League, Vice Chair of the California Trust for Public Schools and a former board member of the Los Angeles League of Conservation Voters. Bob is a strong proponent of progressive issues in such key areas as education, healthcare, the environment and economic justice. Bob has two formidable primary opponents who are conservative Democrats: Stuart Waldman is the former Chief of Staff to the current Assembly member, and Laurette Healey is a former Deputy State Controller. Bob has received the endorsement of Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Congressmembers Howard Berman and Henry Waxman, California State Speaker Fabian Nunez, County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky and Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

Click here to support and learn more about Bob.

Richard Barrera
Candidate for San Diego Board of Education - Subdistrict D (Challenger)

Richard Barrera is a candidate for the San Diego School District in Nominating Subdistrict D. Richard is Latino and a union organizer with SEIU Local 399. Richard faces a difficult race in the general election against conservative incumbent Luis Acle, a former Reagan administration official who has openly expressed interest in higher office. A Barrera victory would create both a working progressive majority and a Democratic supermajority.

Click here to support and learn more about Richard.

Sherri Lightner
Candidate for San Diego City Council - District 1 (Open Seat)

Sherri Lightner is running for the 1st City Council District in San Diego. A community volunteer and leader, Sherri has served as president of both the La Jolla Town Council and the La Jolla Shores Association. An engineer by training, she is a recognized expert on land development law. Because of term limits, the 1st will be an open seat. Sherri represents an opportunity to elect a progressive woman to a historically moderate to conservative seat, allowing for a potential progressive majority.

Click here to support and learn more about Sherri.

Stephen Whitburn
Candidate for San Diego City Council - District 3 (Open Seat)

Stephen Whitburn is an openly gay candidate running for the open 3rd City Council District in San Diego. This seat is safely Democratic, but Stephen's election could mean the difference between a Democratic majority and a true progressive majority. In particular, he will fight for progressive values on housing issues, especially for renter's rights and against development that is forcing longtime residents (many elderly and people of color) out of what had been affordable housing. As a community activist, he has worked very closely with labor, walking picket lines and working to pass a living wage ordinance. Stephen is also a former union member with the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists.

Click here to support and learn more about Stephen.

John Lee Evans
Candidate for San Diego Board of Education - Subdistrict A (Challenger)

John Lee Evans is a clinical psychologist and long-time progressive activist on education and social justice issues. He is running against an incumbent Republican, Mitz Lee. If elected, John will provide a strong progressive voice on the school board for local control and improved opportunity for children in low-income and immigrant communities. A win would create a progressive majority and a Democratic super majority.

Click here to support and learn more about John.

And some more info on propositions:

Meet the New Dirty Trick, Prop 11.

CA Proposition 1A: High-Speed Rail...also SF Chronicle: Yes on 1A

CA Proposition 4: Parental Notification for Minors' Abortions

Better Know the Ballot: CA Prop. 5 (Rehab for Nonviolent Drug Offenders). This strikes me as similar to a very successful program the Brooklyn District Attorney has set up in Brooklyn.