JUST SAYIN’-As predicted for political races across the country, many lawmakers would win or lose in close contests. I am not here to analyze every race or offer opinions on what worked and what did not, but I would like to look a little more deeply into two races in our own backyard.
First, the contest for County Supervisor (District 3) to replace the termed-out but extremely effective, responsive, and efficient Zev Yaroslavsky. Post-primary, the final contenders were former State Senator and Assemblymember Sheila Kuehl (photo) , and former Santa Monica City Councilmember Bobby Shriver.
Kuehl had made a name for herself, in part, for the variety of issues she was able to push through the California legislature—many of which became laws. She really earned her stripes as a progressive and energetic leader with bills like the one she introduced which would have mandated single-payer health coverage for nearly every resident in our State (sort of like Medicare for all). If signed into law, it would have surpassed what the Affordable Care Act is presently designed to do. Unfortunately and myopically, then-Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed it—twice!
On the other hand, the lesser-known Shriver believed he could do an excellent job as Supervisor, having not only served as a local politico but also (and in many ways more importantly) as a leader internationally, having founded philanthropic organizations that have reached into Africa and elsewhere to provide aid to the needy. He has partnered with Bono to form a “multinational NGO, whose purpose is to obtain social equality and justice for Africa through debt relief … to eliminate AIDS … strengthen democracy and [demand] accountability by the wealthiest nations …” Bono and he are co-founders of Product Red, the profit from which helps provide financial backing for The Global Fund to Fight Aids, Tuberculosis, and Malaria.
All of this involvement is very commendable and ought not to be downplayed. However, in local County politics, he proved to be a novice, unable to get a handle on the issues. When he peered through the looking glass, he saw only himself in the reflection.
He had very fixed ideas on how to run a campaign and very parochial views on the needs of his would-be constituents. Despite sage advice from a number of sources, he disregarded it and did his own thing--he did not set up a satellite office in the Northeast San Fernando Valley—a location whose voters he absolutely needed if he were to have any chance of winning his run for office.
For instance, he knew very little about two consequential and contentious Valley concerns. As Supervisor, he (along with the other four Board members) would have had the opportunity to vote to authorize further fracking and oil-well expansion in Aliso Canyon (but he seemed unwilling to take a stand on the subject). Furthermore, Shriver seemed oblivious to what numerous neighborhoods in the area preferred regarding the design of an adjacent section of bullet train construction for underground placement only. Both issues I have addressed in previous articles.
When he first considered running, I had been leaning toward endorsing Sheila Kuehl because not only do I know her but I was also very cognizant of her wonderful accomplishments. I asked him to convince me as to why I should support his candidacy. Perhaps I was manipulated by what seemed a more compelling argument (besides which, he had reached out to me personally) and so I lent him my support at that time.
Too soon did I realize how wrong I was and how wrong it would be to have him “replace” Yaroslavsky. Shriver’s campaign was uneven and even a little duplicitous, claiming, for instance, that Zev had endorsed him when, in truth, that was not the case!
Voters may not always be informed but when they recognize the guile behind a candidate’s campaign, they know what to do. Ironically, Shriver made it clear through his actions and inactions that the local electorate should vote for Kuehl for the County Board—someone who will make an outstanding leader, offering both experience and insight.
If Shriver performs an autopsy on his strategies, he should realize how he defeated himself! His attitude, his limited outreach, his ill-designed focus should be lessons not only for him but to future potential candidates for any office.
On the other hand, there is the Raul Bocanegra (photo left) race for his re-election as Assemblymember in the 39th District. Although I don’t always agree on every vote he takes (just try to find any lawmaker with whom you can agree all the time), he represents the kind of progressive thinking that we need today (and must demand of our electeds).
His staff is consistently outstanding, compassionate, and responsive to nearly every constituent need (even, at times, being willing to assist those who do not live within his district). Call them, they listen and then proceed on your requests, often being able to rectify or at least ameliorate challenging situations as quickly as possible.
Despite all this, however, the vote count on November 4, 2014, finds Bocanegra seven votes short (as of today’s printing)! Talk about close! He is opposed by a community activist (little known to most of us) whose organizational skills (which must be commended) turned out an impressive number of voters for her campaign.
This reminds me of how Nury Martinez won a “prickly” City Council contest against the better-supported Cindy Montañez (who was 19 points up after the primary). Martinez’ people, with unflagging energy, went door-to-door to speak with voters in person; they made thousands of calls and placed hundreds of door-hangers. They worked until the last minute and won by 10 points—a turn-around of 29. This teaches us that no campaign should be taken for granted!
Possibly, Assemblymember Bocanegra (like Montañez who had decisively beaten Martinez in the primary but later lost in the November contest) was too confident of his re-election (so much so that more time was exerted on behalf of other candidates to help them win in their respective races than on his own). Perhaps because a wide swath of voters (who love and admire him) also took it for granted that he would win, they didn’t bother to get out to vote.
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The outcome of this AD 39 race (regardless of who wins in the end) is a prime example of exactly how every vote counts. This also underlines why vote-by-mail is so incredibly important because of the option it offers. Sign up (with ease) and get your ballot in the mail so that you can simply mail it in, or bring it in in person to exercise your guaranteed right to vote.
Incidentally, when elections are this close, it is more than likely that the “loser” will ask for a recount (at his or her own expense). Only if the loser wins will such money be refunded. So here we go again, those who can garner enough financial backing get the edge and have the ability to ask for a recount. It seems to me that our government, in all close cases, should rightfully pick up the tab instead of placing an onerous burden on the contestant.
At present, money still greatly influences electoral outcomes, but not always—there is no guarantee with the unpredictable electorate we have (consider Meg Whitman, Carly Fiorina, and, of course, Shriver himself) that money necessarily backs the winner.
In the meantime, there are some essential ingredients to creating a winning campaign: In politics, experience counts. A positive approach and candidness make a difference. Willingness to keep an open mind and learn new things is essential. Surrounding oneself with sagacious and experienced advisers (not just yes-men) is a need that cannot be overstated.
The bottom line is we must choose our candidates wisely. Furthermore, in California with the horrendous top-two rule, the primary is an especially important process in which to engage, but the culminating “run-off” vote cannot be ignored either. When all is said and done, there is simply no excuse not to vote. Plan it! Do it!
Just sayin’.
(Rosemary Jenkins is a Democratic activist and chair of the Northeast Valley Green Alliance. Jenkins has written A Quick-and=Easy Reference to Correct Grammar and Composition, Leticia in Her Wedding Dress and Other Poems, and Vignettes for Understanding Literary and Related Concepts. She also writes for CityWatch.)
-cw
CityWatch
Vol 12 Issue 93
Pub: Nov 18, 2014