Oct 022010
 

I am going to make some predictions based on the Sample Ballot.

There are some issues with ballot designations – especially with the irrational rage of (especially Republican) voters toward incumbents.

Ignoring the state-wide offices – the nominee for the WORST ballot designation is the hapless opponent of Doug LaMalfa: Lathe Gill.

Gill’s Ballot Designation: Union Organizer / Lawyer. (Idiot)

That will add about 5% to LaMalfa’s margin of victory.

Sierra College Board D1 – Howard Rudd and Kelli Gnile both had solid ballot statements and effectively the same ballot designation: Small Business Owner for Rudd and Small Businesswoman for Gnile.

Rudd has an advantage because of his connections and being first on the Ballot in Placer.

Sierra College Board D5 – Another Nominee for worst ballot designation is Halfway House dweller Thomas Gardner: College Student.

Cari Dawson Bartley is the only candidate who filed a ballot statement as well.

I’d be completely shocked if Bartley did not win.

Rocklin USD

Amanda “Mandie” Tingler – first on ballot, designation Family Counselor… very good for School Board.

The Incumbents all used “Rocklin Unified School District Trustee” for their ballot designation. Whoops.

If it wasn’t for the fact that Glenn Moeller has the worst ballot statement this side of Michael Patrick Murphy… Moeller might have won a seat as well.

Despite all the mistakes Moeller has made – he may yet win. But, I predict that Mandy Tingler wins at Steve Paul’s expense as Paul is number 4 on the five-person ballot. (4 is the absolute worst)

Rocklin City Council.

Diana Ruslin. Second on the ballot, un-matched energy… no one else even comes close. Her ballot title of Rocklin Recreation Commissioner is the only negative as it implies incumbency.

Scott Yuill is in trouble – he is an incumbent and writing bluntly – it seems that the primary concern of Rocklin’s angry Republican voters is finding someone to lynch. Anecdotes I am getting from those on the campaign trail indicate as such. People keep asking door-knockers if they are an incumbent. (I could go on a rant about how ridiculous that is… but some other time)

That being said – Yuill is an excellent candidate and his ballot title of Business Owner/Councilmember is the best he could do. He will have the resources to get his message out and he has won the sign war up to this point.

Greg Janda is also a strong candidate – but have not seen the level of engagement from him that Yuill and Ruslin have engaged in.

Which leads to Mark Klang – excellent ballot statement (no one can match his military service) and he is tapping in to the angry voter. Will that anger and will enough people read his emails to make a difference?

My prediction – Ruslin Wins. I haven’t a clue who finishes second.

Honorable Mention – Michael Patrick Murphy. He gets the prize for the WORST ballot statement I have ever seen. He got tossed out of the Libertarian Party for pete’s sake.

SPMUD Ward 3 – George William Romonsky, Republican Challenger. He filed a ballot statement, but it was weak, however his…

Democrat Opponent John R Murdock used “Incumbent”.  (and did not file a ballot statement) He gets the prize for the worst Ballot Designation – a career ender.

Romonsky wins.

PCWA District 2

Left-wing Democrat Fossil Alex Ferriera has too many friends and too many people that fund his campaign and run his campaign for him to be vulnerable to all but the most formidable challenger. Alex used Placer County Water Agency Director… incumbent in so many words.

Republican Challenger Claire Magid used Small Business Owner – the best designation possible. (I’m voting for Claire)

But, that won’t be enough.

Propositions?

Prop 20 will pass – due to voter anger. This takes drawing Congressional District Boundaries and adds them to the Prop 11 commission. (I am voting yes)

Prop 23 is too close to call – will the enviros be able to lie enough to save their holy grail? Amazing how people advocating clean, simple living seem to come up with wads of money? (I am voting Yes)

Prop 26 – makes it take 2/3 to raise fees. I wish this one would pass, the unions are spending a king’s ransom to defeat this and to try to pass prop 25.  (I am voting yes on 26)

Prop 25 – an extremely deceptive measure aimed at allowing simple majority budgets. This will fail as the veil of fraud is being stripped away. (I am voting no) But, I think Prop 26 goes down with Prop 25.