Open Primary Creates Winners and Losers in CA 26
By Lucy Ma | 02/29/2012 | California, Congressional, Elections 2012 | 3 Comments
One Republican, one independent and four Democrats walk into an Open Primary… Credit: SaintPetersBlog
There is no question that California’s new open primary process has been a major cause for concern amongst both the Democratic and Republican Party. With Decline to State registration numbers on the rise in California and party affiliations weakening, both sides have had a struggle in adjusting their messaging and endorsement process to remain relevant under the new system. Although the top two primary doesn’t seem to be favored by many within either establishment, it may in fact give a boost to several partisan candidates running in key races this year.
Take Congressional District 26, for example. State Senator Tony Strickland will be running as the Republican favorite against several Democratic rivals who are likely to split the votes in his favor. Despite Democrats having a slight voter registration advantage, Senator Strickland appears confident and comfortable under the new open primary system.
“I can’t win an election without Independent and Democrat votes,” stated Strickland, who stresses the importance of connecting with voters across the spectrum based on key issues like job creation and education.
As an incumbent office holder and seasoned candidate used to running in swing districts, Strickland is a great example of someone who can benefit from the newly created electoral process.
“This process is working out to my advantage, but I do have concerns that this may create a situation where people are talked out of running,” added Strickland.
His latter sentiment is one shared by many, and for good reason. In a primary race where multiple candidates are from the same political party, there is a huge incentive for party leaders to pull support and resources behind one candidate which essentially puts all others at a disadvantage.
The primary race for CD 26 will feature an intense battle between Assemblywoman Julia Brownley and her fellow Democrats, Councilman David Pollock, Oxnard Harbor District Commissioner Jess Herrera, and businessman David Cruz Thayne as each candidate jockeys for needed Latino and environmentalist support. Even if a Democratic candidate emerges victorious from the infighting, he or she could be in a weaker position come time for the general election.
Ventura County Supervisor Linda Parks, who is also a candidate for the seat, started her bid as a registered Republican. She officially announced today that she will abandon her affiliation in order to run as an Independent. By changing her affiliation to “no party preference” she will in effect have cleared the field for Strickland to receive the pre-primary GOP endorsement under the party’s complicated local convention system.
Parks, a staunch advocate of environmental issues, will also play an active role in the Democratic battle to produce a frontrunner by siphoning off resources and votes from a similar support base. Her ability to woo Independent voters in the district will be crucial in determining the final outcome. Currently, nearly 20 percent of the district’s voters are registered as Decline to State, and almost 24 percent are not affiliated with either of the two major parties.
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3 Comments
Richardwinger
02.29.2012
The truth is that virtually all California legislators are now in favor of Prop. 14, as shown by their actions recently. Because backers of Prop. 14 told the legislature to eliminate write-in space on November ballots for Congress and state office, the legislature unanimously passed AB 1413 and Governor Brown signed it. Minor parties protested, because now their members can’t even campaign as write-in candidates in November, but not a single legislator heeded them. Also the minor parties would like the legislature to change the definition of “political party” to that contained in Prop. 62 in November 2004 (the first attempt to pass a top-two primary, which was defeated by the voters), to compensate for the Prop. 14 taking away the 2% vote test for a party to remain qualified. The minor parties want the definition of “party” changed from a group with registration of 103,004 members, to one-third that, so at least the Peace & Freedom, and Libertarian Parties, can retain their qualified status. But because the Prop. 14 supporters are opposed to that idea, that idea isn’t being introduced either. Major party legislators have decided they are happy to have only two choices on the November ballot, with not even a write-in alternative. They love Prop. 14.
Vcvoter
03.01.2012
Strickland is, by far, the most qualified candidate and has a history of working well with Democrats and Independents. He is the most likely to win and that would be the best thing for Ventura County.
independent
04.24.2012
Strickland works well with Dems and Reps???….wow! You are either related to Tony, suffer from some disassociative condition, are Tony himself OR all three. Strickland is the most polarizing figure in Ventura County politics and that says a lot. He is loved and hated. He is a career politician always looking for the next job, usually instead of doing the one the voters hired him to do. Tony needs to pray that Linda Parks doesn’t survive the primary…..she will crush him in Nov.