Tomorrow there will be some "cheers" or "tears" gathering in the local elections. There are 18 seats up for grabs in County, City and Water District elections, and this could be a sobering election for us lefties. With the tide in the US Congress and Senate washing toward the Democrat's why are we at risk locally? And don't give me that non-partisan offices speech. It won't work here.
For the record, there are 18 Democrats running, 13 Republicans, 6 No Party (NP), 2 Greens and 1 American Independent. Here is the list of Republicans, Greens or NP's who have a chance at winning:
District 2 Supervisor
Clif Clendenen
Johanna Rodoni (Way long shot)
Eureka City Council Ward 2
Polly Endert
Eureka City Council Ward 4
Frank Jager
Arcata City Council
Micheal Machi
Susan Ornelas
Fortuna City Council
Odell Shelton Jr.
Kenneth Zanzi
Rio Dell City Council
Richard Leonard
Marc Barsanti
Jack Thompson
Blue Lake City Council
Alexander Ricca
Ferndale City Council
Kenneth Mierzwa
Stuart Titus
David Walters
Trinidad City Council
Michael Morgan
Humboldt Bay Municipal Water District
Division 1
Kaitlin Sopoci-Belknap
Division 2
Ben Shepherd
Adrienne Floreen
Division 3
Barbara Hecathorn
So a worse case scenario would have the Dems only winning one seat in Arcata (Winkler is a lock), one seat in Blue Lake and the Mayor seat in Ferndale. 3 Democrats out of 18 local seats! The Republicans may have 9! With Green or NP's taking the other 7. There is also the chance that the HCDCC backed candidates will only have one victory.
The good side is Democrats could garner 15 of the seats if all goes well! It should be interesting day Tuesday!
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24 comments:
You have only to blame yourself Richard. You and the rest of the head-in-the-sand Central Committee could have chosen to back mainstream, pro-public health Democrats (however recent their partisan vintage) for Water Board, Stephen Davies and Buzz Webb.
Your failure to do so translates to the failure of the Democrats to capture a majority on the Water District board for its entire history only continuing.
I hope you really enjoy your friend Kaitlin's "service" when your water bill doubles.
Whatever("Little Grey")Stephen.
Amazing! You actually believe anyone outside of the Labor Temple and the crazies on the HDCC care what party local candidates are affiliated with?
I can only roll my eyes at those of you so concerned about electing Democrats you will stoop at nothing and run a rabid dog if you think he might get elected.
Wake up!! There are a lot of good people out there. They aren't all Democrats. Who cares, for heaven's sakes?
BTW, I am a Democrat and I think the lockstep partisanship shown in the past 7 or 8 years is just plain sick.
Not that it is proof, but here's part what's written in Wikipedia about Humboldt, Mendocino and Trinity counties:
"The three counties are known for their general Libertarian politics and historical dependence on the timber industry."
Since cities are usually politically somewhat more "left" than nearby rural places, I'd expect that of Eureka too.
In my opinion, being slightly "left" of Libertarian means you're a Republican. That seems to describe Eureka.
You should probably mark NP and Green by the names. Greens will most likely caucus with Democrats, certainly more likely than caucusing with Republicans.
Doug Strehl will be the top vote recipient in Fortuna and you dont even mention him.
It is a close race for second between Zanzi and Shelton.
"And don't give me that non-partisan offices speech. It won't work here."
The only reason it's not working for you Richard is your own refusal to aknowledge the absolute fact that people don't look at these local elections as partisan.
For the most part, people know the candidates in question, or they know several people who do know them.
That personal knowledge, whether gleaned from first hand experience of from an aquaintance trumps the partisan aspect of it.
Plus, people are really sick of Greg and Carol. (j/k on the last part).
Mr. 5:45 you have hit the nail on the head. Only the sycophants look at the local campaigns in a partisan way.
That's a handful compared to the thousands of voters out there.
It ain't rocket science.
I have been making calls for Polly Endert tonight. We are only calling Democrats.
I have called 10 pages of Democrats and they seem to be overwhelmingly in favor of Polly.
Many have already voted for her. I don't think I am getting wrong info, the enthusiasm is too great.
I have had one person say they were voting for George....didn't bother to tell them he was not running against Polly.
So, if it's all about political parties, what's up with that?
Just a reminder that the HCDCC has endorsed 15 straight local candidates that won. That is a good record. I was just wondering what might happen this election.
I have been hammered by people over my "partisan" views, but I made these claims over the past success of HCDCC picks the last few elections.
I May be proven wrong, and I am in fact pointing out my most likely misjudgement.
So take your shots you Anonymous Wieners! C'mon, you are smiling!
5:39pm-You are probably and hopefully right. I was pointing out worse case Democratic placing.
Does the term NON-PARTISAN position mean ANYTHING to you?
All I can say, Richard, is you had potential. You're choosing to get into the swamp. Up past your eyeballs at this point.
Had potential??? Rich you still do, you speak your mind honestly. That my b-ball friend is what still and always has gave you potential.
Has gave?
Rose: You stayed up after midnight to give that wonderfully positive message? Good grief! May Salzman darken your doorways!
I would say Strehl and Zanzi in Fortuna it will be close for Rohdoni and Clendenen but I hate to say I will not be surprised if Cliff doesn't pull this off I just voted and I can see where the write in and fill in the bubble deal may be the downturn for Johanna. Looked like a good turn out so far in Fortuna.
Anonymous said...
Has gave?
7:34 AM
Well at least the worst you could do was pick on my sentence structure. Continues to give, is that better. When I lived there I always supported Rich and this from a DIE HARD member of the GOP
Hi Rambo,
I am not 7:34, but I wanted to comment on your post at 11:37.
What you say about Richard -
"When I lived there I always supported Rich and this from a DIE HARD member of the GOP"
Embodies exactly what I was trying to convey last night when I posted at 5:45 pm.
Your personal knoweldge of Richard trumps the fact that you both belong to different political parties.
You are willing to put partisanship aside and support the person you know.
It is just puzzling to me that Richard, who is a bright guy by all accounts, does not accept this and does not understand why people would go beyond partisan politics in a non partisan election.
11:50pm-And I have supported candidates of all political spectrums. So I am not completely Partisan. I just pointed out and have believed that local races are "very partisan" and have said I might be proved wrong this election. And yes, I can admit when I am wrong or misinformed.
Hi Richard,
1150/545 here. I hope that you can see even though I am an "anonymous wiener" (due to the nature of my employment) that we can still enjoy civil and respectful conversations.
When you said:
"And don't give me that non-partisan offices speech. It won't work here."
It kind of intimated that you were not open to changing your mind, so it's good to hear that you can admit that you're wrong once in awhile (like the rest of us, lol).
1:43pm-Yes, I guess that was strong verbage on my part. Sorry to all.
What I find very interesting Richard is the fact that you left Shannon Leonardo off of the Ferndale City Council list. Leonardo is a "proclaimed" democrat who is running because he could not shut down a local gay therapist from counselling gays in his home office. Leonardo is a total homophobe. Contrast that to the Republican Titus who staunchly defended the right of the gay therapist to treat gay patients in his home office.
Frankly, this is why this partisan crap stinks on the local level. You can not judge a person simply by the party they register in.
Hi 11:50am, not just the fact I know him, but I know him to be upstanding and have integrity. There are alot of people I know in that area that are politicly active but they dont have the standers I look for when I cast a vote.
Hey Rich, when the election is over or as it goes on can you blog some local results for those of us away from home?
Rambo: Will do.
Anonymous said...
Frankly, this is why this partisan crap stinks on the local level. You can not judge a person simply by the party they register in.
2:22 PM
I agree. It's the reason I register NP, but is it even good or is it just convenient to judge by registered party anyway?
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