The Voice of OC’s election coverage has really gone up a notch this year, for which we congratulate them, and (*ahem*) we think that it may demonstrate the usefulness of competition in local online political journalism.
And Nick Gerda has been one of VOC’s best reporters — but there’s something about the vote-counting period for Board of Supervisors races that seems to bring out the worst in him. Take this story, currently in our sidebar:
It’s Neck-and-Neck: Who Will Control the Powerful OC Board of Supervisors?
The conceit of the story is that if Katrina Foley can hold off Pat Bates, “Democrats will control the Board of Supervisors” for the first time in decades.
No, they won’t. They really, really, really won’t.
It will provide the first majority of registered Democrats on the Board of Supes in generations, but that fact is very different from “Democratic control.” Chaffee’s top allies on the BOS have been Andrew Do and Don Wagner, and his top adversary has been Katrina Foley. That Lisa Bartlett will be gone and Vicente Sarmiento will be there does not matter for bean. Chaffee will continue to try to ensure that Foley has no real power, and that will likely extend to Sarmiento as well. Unless term limits intervene (and I’m not looking it up), replacing one of Do or Wagner with an functional rather than nominal Democrat in 2024 will be difficult, given their districts — but not impossible for the right candidate.
Chaffee’s “Doug Chaffee, DEMOCRAT” signs went away right after the primary, and as he pushed for Republican votes for the past five months even his nominal party registration has kept hidden. Three old men — two Republicans and one cynical, treacherous, and vengeful Joe Lieberman-like figure — will control the Board. Not Democrats. That’s exactly why Chaffee did not get the Democratic Party endorsement.
Sometimes you want to read someone’s signs to get what they’re all about; sometimes what’s not on signs can be even more important. And, dear friends at the VOC, the Supes’ signs don’t look good for Democrats over the next two years.
Do will be termed out in 24. Wagner I think not, as his first term was partial.
Sunny Park’s defeat is a tragedy of this election.
Is Janet eligible?
Chaffee played it slick and dirty, pivoting from Democrat to de facto Republican on a dime and handing out goodies for votes like a Chicago Alderman.
The usual rule is: If Wagner served the majority of his first term, it counts.
You’re asking if (shudder) Janet Nguyen is eligible to be Supe again, after having served two terms and then taking a break?
Apparently she is, seeing as how Pat Bates is running.
(shudder) indeed. Maybe she prefers being in the minority at the State Senate, but I doubt it — and this would be a free ticket for her, given that she’ll be in the middle of her next term.
We haven’t seen the last of that termagant at the County.
Wagner’s partial term started in early 2019 after the special election following Spitzer’s election to DA.
Ergo it was less than half a term. Ergo the kleptocrat will be going for reelection in 24.
The funny thing is that almost nobody – including, apparently, Nick Gerda – understands that the difference between a Democrat and a Republican on the BoS is practically nil.
They are all members of The Clean Plate Club and rarely stray off their little reservation. Just glad to be there promoting themselves on our dime.
P.S. It’s hard to tell if Chaffee is dim-witted, senile, or just a damn fool, but it’s clear he is easily manipulated by people slightly smarter.
Katrina Foley is a wolf in sheep’s clothing for the Democrats. I saw her and her staff dancing on Twitter like fools. That is what we are paying for. Plenty of people were talking about it.
Oh shit, they were dancing? Like fools? Damn. I wish it weren’t too late to change my vote.
PS. And “that’s what we are paying for!” I hate to ask, but how much did that Twitter dance cost the taxpayers?
There is no bigger public safety boot licker than Katrina Foley. Keeping her hemmed up is a good thing for taxpayer’s wallets considering the fact the fire and cop union goons have bankrolled her entire political career. As unremarkable as its been.
Show your work, please.