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MyspaceLines in the sand are being drawn for the 19th District State Senate race, with a few big endorsements announced over the weekend. The largest came from a gathering of Democratic Party delegates and members of the Santa Barbara and Ventura County central committees. They endorsed Hannah-Beth Jackson — who served two terms in the State Assembly and narrowly lost a State Senate race to Tony Strickland in 2008 — with an overwhelming 78 percent of the vote. That regional endorsement is generally a precursor to the state Democratic Party’s endorsement next month. Days earlier, Jackson received the endorsement of 1st District County Supervisor Salud Carbajal, a popular politician with deep pockets and statewide connections. “It was a very positive statement about the support I have,” she said.
Jason Hodge, meanwhile, garnered the endorsement of Assembly Speaker John Perez and continues to receive endorsements from many employee unions. Former Assemblymember Pedro Nava has also spoken out positively about Hodge.
While campaign finance reports aren’t out until the end of the month, they should be indicative of the candidates’ strength. Some insiders have speculated that Hodge will have to outspend Jackson two- or three-to-one to beat her. Hodge is waging an uphill battle against Jackson, who has the name recognition from just running in a similar-looking district (though it has changed because of redistricting). He comes into the race largely unknown as a Ventura County firefighter and serves on the Port Hueneme Harbor Commission. He also is recently married to popular Assemblywoman Fiona Ma, who represents a San Francisco district.
The district is a plus-12–percent Democratic district, meaning the Dem emerging from the primary is in a strong position to be successful. The winner will likely be headed to a runoff against Republican Mike Stoker, who has not officially entered the race and has been quiet thus far, but has said he is pretty sure he will jump into the fray.
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Comments
Fiona Ma is popular?
She definitely seems to prefer fighting with fellow Democrat Das Williams instead of voting to protect Californians from pesticide contamination:
http://thedailysound.com/2012/01/poli...
I suppose we all now know whom not to vote for regarding State Board of Equalization.
John_Adams (anonymous profile)
January 26, 2012 at 7:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hannah Beth-Jackson. Enough already. We have tired of your career candidacy for whatever office happens to be vacant. Salud has deep pockets because he has always sold out to the highest bidder. Can we maybe find a good solid moderate democrat to get behind that isn't part of the establishment? Career folks like her and Salud (who only cares about his next reelection since he hasn't had a real job in the private sector since the mid 90's) need to go. We need a fresh crop.
BeachFan (anonymous profile)
January 26, 2012 at 9:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)
BeachFan is looking for "....a good solid moderate democrat to get behind that isn't part of the establishment."
No kidding. I'm looking for the Invisible Pink Unicorn that was in my garage. Seen 'em?
SezMe (anonymous profile)
January 27, 2012 at 1:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
If Nava endorses your campaign you might as well just withdraw.
Ken_Volok (anonymous profile)
January 27, 2012 at 9:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"Can we maybe find a good solid moderate democrat to get behind that isn't part of the establishment? " -BeachFan-
Amen. Back in 2007 she was saying how she was opposed to the war but preferred Hillary Clinton over Dennis Kucinich because "all things being equal, we need a woman president" (or words to that effect) This conversation with me took place when I called in the Paul Berenson show. When I pointed out that Kucinich has always clearly been against the war, (unlike Clinton) Jackson defaulted to the argument that "he can't win". How can a person win when they aren't given a chance?
billclausen (anonymous profile)
January 27, 2012 at 3:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I've often thought that same thing Bill. We've been conditioned to vote pragmatically more than our conscious.yet at the same time we're losing the ability to compromise, which requires a degree of pragmatism. What to do?
I don't think it's a good idea to expect to agree with a candidate 100% either on all their positions, and I am always wary of people who do. In the end they and we are all tragically human beings.
Ken_Volok (anonymous profile)
January 27, 2012 at 11:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Ken: My suggestion is to effect change in your political party of choice. (Assuming you have one) If you are A: A Democrat; or B: A Republican (*registered* Democrat or Republican) you can vote in the primary for who you want to run for president. Theoretically, whoever gets nominated by these two parties has a 50% chance of winning so why not vote in the primary for who you believe in as opposed to someone who doesn't share your overall view? Doing the latter only ensures a lose-lose situation.
billclausen (anonymous profile)
January 28, 2012 at 2:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"In the end they and we are all tragically human beings."
WE on the other hand...
fivedolphins (anonymous profile)
January 28, 2012 at 6:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It would be interesting to see Mike Stoker and HBJ square off. I wonder if the former will stick to his libertarian guns, or sell out to pressure groups that want Big Government for corporate welfare and to crush individualism.. And with the added level of prestige and elite interest focused on this race, will the accessible, populist Hannah-Beth we know be eclipsed by a new, improved battle-hardened Candidate Jackson?
I can't help but recall the oft-repeated comment that Ronald Reagan could not be nominated by today's national Republican Party. Love him or despise him, you have to admit that John McCain was a formidable candidate. With Romney alienating the Christian Right, libertarians and a lot of conservative intellectuals, it seems that Obama's re-election is almost a dunk shot, IMHO, making our local races that much more interesting.
Geof_Bard (anonymous profile)
May 4, 2012 at 8:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)