The beginnings of an election season
Yorba Linda’s biennial guessing game—who will run for City Council? —has begun in earnest, even though the first day to file is six months away in the final of four elections scheduled in this city in 2008.
Voters are focused on the Feb. 5 primary, which includes the school district’s $200 million bond measure, and the March 4 ballot deadline in an arterial landscape tax increase election.
But politicians and civic scene observers are looking past the June 3 regular primary and speculating about the year’s main electoral event: an anticipated scramble among a large field of candidates for three City Council seats on the Nov. 4 ballot.
Normally, incumbents, past contenders and political newcomers announce candidacies close to the summer filing period because they prefer to scope out likely opponents and don’t want to appear thirsty for public office.
However, Hank Wedaa said he’d run for a ninth term soon after taking the oath for his eighth term in June. Two other council members whose terms expire this year haven’t yet formally stated their intentions.
While Mayor Jim Winder is a sure bet to seek a third and final term, Councilman Allen Castellano might retire to focus on family and career, since his usual campaign fund sources are less active now. Winder placed first and Castellano third for three seats in 2000 but reversed that order in 2004.
And former Councilwoman Keri Wilson’s campaign fund is open. She won by three votes in 2002, lost by 1,456 in 2006 and 805 in the special 2007 election Wedaa won.
If the 2008 contest draws eight or more candidates, Wilson would be competitive due to name recognition and a core of eastside supporters. She beat Wedaa by 160 votes in the 92887 Zip code precincts, while Wedaa won the 92886 precincts by 965 votes.
Also mentioned in the guessing game are former three-term Councilman Mark Schwing, who lost to Wilson by those three votes in 2002, and Planning Commissioner and former water district director Mark Abramowitz.
Others are Traffic Commissioner Larry Larsen, past Parks and Recreation Commissioner Steven Brunette and former Community Foundation board president Bill Davis. (Anyone left off this short list can e-mail me at the address below for a future plug.)
A Presidential year turnout from 40,000-plus registered voters should surpass 2006’s 23,354 ballots and dwarf 2007’s 8,362. More voters, a possible open seat and greater interest in city government promise to make 2008 a spirited political year.
A FINAL NOTE
Financial rewards for council service include an annual $6,600 salary and about double that in benefits, such as retirement pay, health premiums and auto and phone allowances.
Council members also earn $100 to $170 per meeting if appointed to one or more of five county boards: fire authority, sanitation, vector control and two toll road panels.
Voters are focused on the Feb. 5 primary, which includes the school district’s $200 million bond measure, and the March 4 ballot deadline in an arterial landscape tax increase election.
But politicians and civic scene observers are looking past the June 3 regular primary and speculating about the year’s main electoral event: an anticipated scramble among a large field of candidates for three City Council seats on the Nov. 4 ballot.
Normally, incumbents, past contenders and political newcomers announce candidacies close to the summer filing period because they prefer to scope out likely opponents and don’t want to appear thirsty for public office.
However, Hank Wedaa said he’d run for a ninth term soon after taking the oath for his eighth term in June. Two other council members whose terms expire this year haven’t yet formally stated their intentions.
While Mayor Jim Winder is a sure bet to seek a third and final term, Councilman Allen Castellano might retire to focus on family and career, since his usual campaign fund sources are less active now. Winder placed first and Castellano third for three seats in 2000 but reversed that order in 2004.
And former Councilwoman Keri Wilson’s campaign fund is open. She won by three votes in 2002, lost by 1,456 in 2006 and 805 in the special 2007 election Wedaa won.
If the 2008 contest draws eight or more candidates, Wilson would be competitive due to name recognition and a core of eastside supporters. She beat Wedaa by 160 votes in the 92887 Zip code precincts, while Wedaa won the 92886 precincts by 965 votes.
Also mentioned in the guessing game are former three-term Councilman Mark Schwing, who lost to Wilson by those three votes in 2002, and Planning Commissioner and former water district director Mark Abramowitz.
Others are Traffic Commissioner Larry Larsen, past Parks and Recreation Commissioner Steven Brunette and former Community Foundation board president Bill Davis. (Anyone left off this short list can e-mail me at the address below for a future plug.)
A Presidential year turnout from 40,000-plus registered voters should surpass 2006’s 23,354 ballots and dwarf 2007’s 8,362. More voters, a possible open seat and greater interest in city government promise to make 2008 a spirited political year.
A FINAL NOTE
Financial rewards for council service include an annual $6,600 salary and about double that in benefits, such as retirement pay, health premiums and auto and phone allowances.
Council members also earn $100 to $170 per meeting if appointed to one or more of five county boards: fire authority, sanitation, vector control and two toll road panels.
posted by Jim Drummond at 12:00 PM
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