Note: My views expressed in this story do not reflect the opinions held by everyone at TheLiberalOC.com. These are my own ballot recommendations, not official endorsements from the whole blog.
OK, here’s what you’ve all been waiting for. Here are my own suggestions for everyone voting in Central & West OC on June 3. Take it with a grain of salt… Or take it as helpful advice from one local liberal to another. Well, here goes! 🙂
Federal Races:
46th Congressional– Debbie Cook
OK, what’s not to like about the Surf City Mayor taking on Crazy Dana? She’s worked hard to protect Huntington’s beaches & wetlands. She supports all the Democratic values that we hold so dear on protecting working families and ensuringbthat the American Dream is accessible to all. Oh yes, and this is our best chance ever to turn the 46th blue. Debbie Cook has my full 110% support!
47th Congressional– Loretta Sanchez
Say what you want, but I LOVE my fabulous Congresswoman! She’s proven her commitment to the fine working-class people of Central OC by fighting to protect our nearby open spaces, protect our jobs, help our schools, keep our communities safe, and so much more. This ones really a no-brainer… Loretta Sanchez has earned my respect and appreciation (as well as my vote).
State Races:
35th Senate– Ginny Mayer
In 2006, Tom Harman won the crossover Democratic votes needed to beat Diane Harkey by promising to serve us as a moderate. But instead of doing that, he’s gone so far to the right that our friends at Red County now like him. It’s time for Harman to go. Vote for Ginny Mayer, someone who won’t forget who she’s serving.
68th Assembly– Ken Arnold
Ken Arnold is a true progressive Democrat running against one-man GOP machine Van Tran… Need I say more?
69th Assembly– Jose Solorio
He’s proven to us in his first term that he’ll go the distance to support Central OC working families… So for me, Solorio has definitely earned himself a second term.
County Races:
1st District Supervisor- Hoa Van Tran
Yes, he can’t handle his own campaign’s finances. Yes, he’s screwed up royally by letting Edgardo Reynoso drive his campaign into the ditch it’s in. But you know what? Janet Nguyen has still not earned my vote. She’s been MIA when we needed her most, porking up on our tax dollars when she should have been fighting to protect the social services that the working poor in our community need. So even with his flaws, I’ll vote for the Democrat over the failed Republican incumbent.
Superior Court–
Office 12- Debra Carrillo
She’s a Democrat supported by law enforcement officers and the DPOC for a reason… She has the experience and the integrity to do the job well.
Initiatives:
Prop 98– NO
Don’t be fooled by this Trojan horse! It has nothing to do with eminent domain, and everything to do with taking away renters’ rights, gutting out environmental protections, and making us taxpayers pay for corporate welfare for wealthy landlords. Please vote no on this bad deal.
Prop 99– YES
What Prop 98 won’t do Prop 99 takes care of. It protects homeowners from eminent domain abuse WITHOUT sneaking in Trojan horses. Please vote for the real deal.
Santa Ana Measure G– YES
Our schools need our support. And until Sacramento steps up and fully funds K-12 education, our local districts will need to keep coming to us to ask for bond money. And while I’m not a big fan of debt, I do like good schools. For the sake of Santa Ana’s kids, please vote for Measure G.
I agree with you on the most part with the exception of Proposition 99. Both eminent domain initiatives have trojan horses in them, they both don’t deserve to pass. I will vote YES when someone puts up an initiative just like what Anaheim passed in 2006.
Prop 99 leaves out small businesses, which means Pulido can still go through with his plans to shut down all those businesses on 4th St. to please a few folk north of 17th who want to be able to go to a Borders Books Store at Bush and 4th. Prop 99 also does not go into effect for 180 days, leaving several months for local governments to go crazy on eminent domain. Prop 98 and 99 should not pass. NO on them both. And message to both proponents, stop screwing around and bring forth an eminent domain initiative that deals with that issue an that issue only. No more trojan horses.
As for the Judge, thanks for the insight. I am truly stuck on that race. There are three very qualified people running for that judicial and one very UNQUALIFIED person- Kermit Marsh. It sucks because when you have three good people and one bad person, the bad person has a shot at winning. I am truly stuck on who to vote for, although at this point in time I am slightly leaning towards Mike Flory.
As for Measure G, if I could, I would vote NO. But I am in Tustin USD,even though I live in Santa Ana so it is not my fight. But in my opinion they screwed up the last bond, I don’t believe they deserve more of our tax money. At least my condo will not be effected if this passes.
Claudio-
Thanks for the kind words. And in regards to Prop 99, I also wish we could have a simple initiative that would just take care of eminent domain once and for all. But since that perfect initiative still hasn’t shown up yet, I sincerely think Prop 99 is the next best thing. It protects middle-class homeowners while not screwing around with environmental protections or renters’ rights. And on Measure G, I understand that many folks around here don’t trust the school board… But for me, I just think it’s unfair to the kids at SAUSD to not get the education they deserve just because our district has no money. That’s why despite all my doubts, I’m voting for G.
Andrew:
I’d remind you of something you wrote on June 7, 2007 regarding Janet Nguyen’s failure to comply with TIN CUP:
“So if Janet Nguyen can’t even follow one county ordinance on campaign contributions, then how can we trust her with this and other laws?”
Hoa’s violation and refusal to comply are even more egregious. So how can you trust Hoa “with this and other laws” as a county supervisor?
Dude most of these politicians don’t have primary opponents! They don’t need your endorsement till November. (and you could have shortened your post to “vote Democrat” for the most part)
Re. “Say what you will about Loretta” I think she’s getting better and better – each time I hear “blue dogs did this or that” I check out the list and she’s not with them… and she has signed on to Conyers’ single-payer bill HR 676. As far as I can tell I think it’s fair to start calling her a progressive like her sister, I’ll ask her Saturday if that would be a fair characterization. I know her story used to be that she had to hew to the middle to keep being elected in this red county, but Jesus, with Rosie Avila as an opponent, I think she’s figured out she can afford to follow her conscience. (And I think my war protester friends were very convincing to her.) In short… OK, don’t want to incur the Wrath of Dan, but… let’s say “Blue Dog No More: Loretta Spreads Her Wings” sounds like a real good title some day…
I’ve been backing 99 because it seems like some “modest reform” but it’s true that I’m not sure why it’s so freaking modest, and also like my pro-98 JuiceBrother Larry says, nobody really seems to spend much time defending 99 as they do attacking 98. Makes you suspect that its only goal is really to kill 98. Oh well, even that is a worthy goal. Are there no honest eminent domain backers out there though to write a serious and simple initiative?
See you at Ponderosa Park! 🙂
The whole Pritchard family will be at Loretta’s kick of party this weekend, I look forward to seeing everyone!
Ugh!! I know they may be Democrats, but I can’t stand the thought of another DA for judge. I heard KC Jones speak last night. He is thoughtful, intellegent, well-spoken and is endorsed by OC Labor, PLUS he has over 20 years experience as a CIVIL lawyer. He has my vote!
Regarding the Sanchez book – the working title is “Dream in Color” and it’s written by both sisters. It’s scheduled to be released later in the summer. Check Amazon for details.
Wealthy landlords? What about retirees who are losing their retirement because they invested in a rental property or two and were hoping to live out their golden years living off the rental income. Are you going to make them eat dog food?
Matt/Jubal-
I guess you got me there. I really don’t trust Hoa at this point… But neither do I trust Janet or Dina considering their run-INS with campaign finance law. For me, it ultimately came down to who I agree with most on the issues. And for me, Hoa was the answer. He definitely has his flaws, but I still suspect that deep down inside, he believes what he says about fighting for working families. Sorry, but the evidence of her term on the BOS says otherwise for Janet.
Everyone else-
I’m glad I’ll be seeing you all at Loretta’s campaign kickoff party! We have a great public servant in Loretta, so we need to work our hardest to keep her on Congress. And btw, why didn’t she and Linda title their book “Sister Act”? I would have LOVED that!! 🙂
Captain-
Gimme a break! I doubt the “retiree” landlords you talk of would be forced to way dog food if 98 didn’t pass… Maybe they’d have a little less to splurge on clothes at Neiman Marcus and treat their neighbors to a gourmet Sunday brunch at The Ritz. But hey, I’m willing to take that risk to ensure that poor senior renters’ aren’t kicked out of their homes and actually forced to eat dog food. Sorry, but no amount of lipstick on the pig can make me vote for 98.
Claudio,
Agree with you on judge race, I’ve voted for Flory. Met him and a couple of the other candidates for this seat. Flory impressed me with his insight and knowledge of OC issues. Think his experiance as a working DA and not just a political figurehead from the DA’s office makes him the best candidate.
Andrew,
It is hard to support Hoa based on the early performace of his campaign. Other than the (D), can’t find a reason to support. This might be one of those rare times a reep is clearly the better choice.
In the 35th hope Ginny Mayer gives Tom Harman a good scare. Tom used to be a very effective assemblyman, but has been a failure as a Senator. The fear the reep’s put into him with the Harkey campaign scared whatever wisdom he used to bring to the job. He’s now just another party puppet with Ackerman’s hand up his a$$ making his mouth move.
I’ll expand a bit on Captain’s “dog food” hypothetical above. Consider this scenario:
Ralph Furley invests in a building in Santa Monica for retirement income. He buys it with the knowledge that the units are subject to rent control. It is therefore priced significantly lower than a similar non-rent controlled building nearby. But now he’s gotten greedy and expects CA voters to abolish rent control and give him a financial windfall.
How is this fair?
Tom Kennedy is running for Congress against Ed Royce.
Vote for a Kennedy in the 40th! An anti-war, anti NAFTA, Anti Bush Democrat!!