Journal election coverage

◼ Notes from the Hustings April 22
Dem Votes, Dem Votes

Last Wednesday evening, the Humboldt Democratic Central Committee held an unorthodox meeting flooded with curious onlookers and eager candidates seeking endorsements in the June 8 primary election. Fourth District Supervisor incumbent Bonnie Neely got the nod, but the committee failed to reach the two-thirds threshold required to officially support candidates in the key contests for Fourth District Supervisor and district attorney.

"We're a victim of our own success," joked HCDCC Chair Milt Boyd, referencing the unusually large number of Democratic candidates vying for endorsements. All four DA contenders were present, as were the three aspirants for Fourth District Supervisor, two of whom -- Neely and Eureka Mayor Virginia Bass -- used to be Republicans, mirroring the shift in the county as a whole.

At stake was the county Dems' seal of approval for two supervisor seats, district attorney, assessor and auditor-controller. The latter was an easy one (Joe Millett, the lone candidate, earned their blessing), but each other contest saw candidates saunter to a podium where they attempted to outsell their opponents to the panel of 25 committee members. It wasn't a cold-sell; candidates had previously submitted written responses to committee questionnaires, and clearly some HCDCC members had already made up their minds. (Charlene Cutler-Ploss, for example, sported an "Allison Jackson for DA" button.)

With 25 voting members present, the magic number for endorsement was 17. After listening to each candidate's four-minute presentation -- followed in most cases by two minutes of Q and A -- the committee dismissed the candidates, then reconvened to cast their votes. (This without debate, to the disappointment of several in attendance including a noticeably annoyed Shane Brinton, Arcata City Councilman and staunch Paul Hagen supporter.)

With 18 yea votes, Neely earned endorsement on the first tally of the evening, besting Eureka City Councilman Jeff Leonard and Eureka Mayor Virginia Bass, who faced skepticism about her recent party switch.

The district attorney contest, which featured a crowded field of four Democrats, suggested a heated battle yet to come. Incumbent Paul Gallegos failed to earn the committee's blessing, garnering just 10 yea votes to 11 nays and four abstentions. Hagen also fell short with four yeas. Allison Jackson made a strong showing with eight yeas and 13 nays, while Kathleen Bryson failed even to earn a motion for consideration.

The Fifth District match also ended in a draw with both Pat Higgins (12 yeas, nine nays) and Patrick Cleary (11 yeas, 11 nays) falling short. Assessor hopeful John Brooks bested incumbent Mari Wilson by barely reaching the 17-vote threshold.

Offstage, Republican challengers wait in the wings. In some of the races, anyway. -- Ryan Burns
see also: Charge of the Underdog and It's So Simple in that same piece.
◼ Notes from the Hustings April 15
Two pieces: Follow the Money (on campaign finance reform), and Sundberg and Spaghetti (Ryan Sundberg is running for Fifth District Supervisor)
◼ Notes from the Hustings April 8
Consult This!, and Arts Gallegos
◼ Suddenly Sexy Assessor!