Voice of OC is reporting that Wylie Aitken, “one of Orange County’s most influential Democrats,” is putting his daughter Ashleigh forward for mayor of Anaheim
Ashleigh Aitken, Scion
Given how deeply entrenched the Aitken family is with the local power structure, will she show the same fierce resistance to The Mouse as Tom Tait? Is running someone who largely inherited her position the best person to lead the Democratic Party to a newer, brighter future here in Orange County? Just as a matter of optics — because optics matter in politics — is someone who looks like me (privileged upper-middle class white person) the best choice to assemble a lasting coalition in diverse Anaheim?
Rick Reiff’s OC Insider will feature the interview in upcoming episode.
Wylie and Tom Tait are really close friends. When Donna was running for council and we went to Wylie’s palatial office to get support, he had to rush from that meeting to dinner with Tom.
On the other hand, I remember Ashleigh endorsing Brandman. So I don’t know where she stands in the scheme of things.
First, if Ashleigh Aitken is running for Mayor of Anaheim, she is putting herself up for the position rather than her father putting herself forth for it. For God’s sake, Tyler, don’t you remember what century it is?
Second, she is clearly her own political figure, especially given her role on the Fair Board.
Third, endorsing Brandman (especially if it was over Dr. Moreno) is a problem, but it comes with the territory of being an establishment Democrat. She’s smart and capable of learning why that was a bad thing to do.
Fourth, I’d heard that she was a good friend of Carrie Nocella, which is potentially an even bigger problem. But I’ve also heard that rumor denied.
Fifth, I’ve heard an incompatible rumor about her possible plans, but I don’t entirely trust the source.
Sixth, “princeling” is male.
Anaheim could do worse.
And usually does.
Its ….. a wonderful day in the Neigh-bor-hood…….!
The internships are even worse than they portray. They CHARGE those kids for that internship.
Yikes. When was THAT published?
No, her endorsing Brandman is something I remember from 2012. So, not over Moreno as far as I know.
“For God’s sake, Tyler, don’t you remember what century it is?”
I know exactly what century I’m in.
As a Republican, I support family businesses. Lisa Murkowski and Nancy Pelosi have both done a fabulous job running theirs.
But are you going to claim Ashleigh would be the same place in life if she had been your kid instead of Wylie’s? Or the Dreamer child of an immigrant?
“Sixth, ‘princeling’ is male.”
Only if you insist that only males can be heirs to power — a very 19th century viewpoint.
Would you prefer I adopt the gendered Chinese usage “Princessling”
http://www.cnbc.com/id/100571250
That’s too sexist for my taste. How about Scion? Progeny? Nepotist? Help me here.
What I want to know is how much cash does she have or can raise. An unknown candidate to run city wide against Disney , is not something that is done on the cheap.
IS she “against Disney?” I really couldn’t say.
Actually not even Tait or Moreno would say they’re “against Disney.” But they WOULD like our biggest corporation to not think it can run the government. Which SOME people might characterize as being “against Disney.”
We’ll find out well in advance of when we’d need to know.
Sorry Vern, bad choice of words. I Should have said “Compete in an election with a Disney backed candidate”
K, gotcha.
She probably WILL have lots of money. In fact, I’ll go ahead and say she’ll have plenty.
In 2016 she gave $500 to Moreno. Looks like she didn’t give anything to Brandman.
Boom. I like her.