A CANDIDATE’S REFLECTIONS ON THE 2009 CITY COUNCIL CAMPAIGN (Published in Visalia Times Delta)
Now that some of the election fervor has subsided, I can take a moment to catch my breath and reflect back on the last six months of my campaign for city council. I formally announced my candidacy in May 2009, and since then, I attended 5-10 political events a week. I have a new appreciation of the time, expense and commitment involved in running for political office.
During the campaign I spoke to both the Young Democrats and the Young Republicans clubs at COS. The following summarizes the insights I shared with them, relating to the final outcome of the 2009 Visalia city council election.
Cost to run: I heard estimates as high as $50,000.00 for a first-time candidate to get elected. I decided not to raise and spend that much, believing that the electorate would not appreciate such spending in a poor economy. Instead, I budgeted about half that amount for this race. 60% I raised from business acquaintances and friends, and I chose to finance the balance out of my own pocket. Going into office, I wanted no strings attached.
Strategy: Prior to the campaign, I thought I was fairly well-known in Visalia. Instead, I learned that while I was well-known in professional, business, school and church circles, I was still an unknown quantity to many in the community. Thus, advertising was required, and in turn, money was needed to pay for that advertising. This included newsprint, candidate statements and signs. I did not use radio or television, because the money didn’t stretch that far.
There were at least six candidates’ forums where Visalia citizens had an opportunity to come out and listen to the candidates. I was disappointed that more Visalians didn’t take the opportunity to inform themselves on the candidates and the issues. Right up to the week before election day, in going door to door, I met people who weren’t even aware that there was an election pending.
I reviewed in detail the 2007 city council election results where only about 25% of registered voters turned out. Based thereon, in this 2009 off-year election, I anticipated another low voter turnout (in actuality it was approximately 20%). Low voter turnout and 10 candidates would mean a close race.
While this low turnout is unfortunate, it allowed me to target the most likely voters (i.e., the 2007 voters), and those were the houses where I knocked on doors and mailed brochures. Time and money constraints prevented my contacting every registered voter. Door-to-door campainging proved the most effective, people were impressed that I would take the time to come to them. I would guesstimate that I probably was promised a vote at eight out of ten houses. Unfortunately, going door to door, I could only average 10-15 houses an hour at best.
Endorsements: As a non-incumbent candidate, I knew that endorsements would be vitally important. I reached out to the business community, veteran former politicians, and politically active organizations. I found most to be very polite, and unless they were already endorsing another candidate, most were receptive. I particularly appreciated the early endorsements, such as from the Latino Peace Officers Association, because later endorsers would often want to know who had already endorsed me. I appreciated the endorsements of the LPOA, Republicans, Association of Realtors, and Visalia Firefighters because they got the word out to their own membership, and helped with signs, emails, phone calls and spreading the word. These groups were able to multiply my solitary efforts. No individual or group I spoke to requested a quid pro quo. Any and all endorsements and help was accepted with the understanding that if elected, I would try to do what’s best for all Visalians, with no favoritism shown. In this non-partisan race, I tried to reach out to as many constituencies as possible.
Predictions: By meeting a lot of people, particularly by going door to door, I was able to get a good feel for the community pulse. Aside from business voters and “Old Visalia” voters, I became aware of a strong sentiment in the community for change and some unhappiness with past council decisions. Whether this dissatisfaction was fair or not, I knew that these voters would make a difference. By the week before election day, I had come to the conclusion that one of the incumbents would be vulnerable. However, even I was surprised when the election results showed that both incumbents would be turned out of office by the electorate. This anti-incumbent/anti-establishment sentiment was reflected in the other elections around the country that night.
Summary: I enjoyed the competition of the campaign and making many new friends, but by the last month, I was weary of campaigning while trying to maintain my business and family relations. I congratulate all of the candidates, who had the conviction and fortitude to be willing to sacrifice the time, money and effort to get their messages out. I congratulate Mr. Lane and Mr. Nelsen on well-run campaigns and look forward to serving with them on the city council. I want to thank Mayor Gamboa and Councilman Collins for their years of service on behalf of the city, knowing both of them to be gentlemen, and that both had the best interests of Visalia at heart. With a thicker skin earned on the campaign trail, I look forward to rolling up my sleeves and getting to work for all Visalians.
