U-T Editoral Board Endorse In San Diego City Races

In a complete surprise to everyone the UT's Editorial Republican Board followed suit with the San Diego County Republican Party in endorsing in all the city races.  Well, where the San Diego County Republican Party did not provide them guidance of an endorsement, then they were forced to endorse the Democrat.

• Mayor: Carl DeMaio best protects the Republican brand and they think can best beat Representative Bob Filner
• District 1: Ray Ellis "has the best shot at toppling the incumbent"
• District 3: Todd Gloria drew no Republican challengers
• District 5: Mark Kersey is the "single candidate [that] stepped forward in this district"
• District 7: Scott Sherman "recruited to the race by April Boling"
• District 9: Marti Emerald drew no Republican challengers

Read the editors sound reasoning here for Mayor and here for city council.

Lets look back to see how well the Union Tribune's Editorial Republican Board did in their 2008 endorsements for these same cycle (except of course it would not have included the additional of  District 9):

San Diego City Council (only a 33% win ratio)

• Lost - Philip Thalheimer, District 1 (Democratic Opponent)
• Won - Todd Gloria, District 3 (Democratic Opponent)
• Lost - April Boling, District 7 (Democratic Opponent)

Again, these endorsements matched the San Diego County Republican Party where there was a Republican in the city race.

Who is Scott Sherman? (Part II)

The Republican Party's central committee might be sorry to hear, but Scott Sherman was not the first choice by C. April Boling, but after calling and meeting with other of her tax clients from her expansive rolodex she got to Scott. 

Scott needs some major help.  It seems he doesn't know about anything his own community, let alone the city.  Don't tell the residents you didn't know there was such a thing as the Allied Gardens Community Council.  So, instead of looking for a winning team, they go back in time to 4-years ago to use the same failed team of 2008; Duane Dichiara, John Pilch and Clinton Soffer.

The 2008 Dream Team does have a top tier fundraiser, but it seems Scott was not so great at raising money and his rolodex not so good too.  New fundraiser please.  Every other Republican raised over $100,000, they promised he would be in the six digits at filing time, but sadly Scott raised $55,000 with most spent on his consultants.  Good thing the Republican Party had an endorsement interview with only Scott and didn't invite the other Republican in the race, Rik Haupfeld.  Scott will need the party to help him, because he can't get the money himself.

Scott's public or private appearances don't go over very well.  He has to be educated at one meeting what is tax increment and the names of committees at the city council.  He doesn't understand the issues, can't talk clearly to a crowd of people and doesn't connect with the audience of people who are not partisan activists.  Scott even flopped trying to talk about how he is a community involved person too.  It turns out he hasn't done anything in his own community when asked about it.  Wait, he was a single father raising a daughter.  Heart goes out right?  It should. It is very hard to be a single parent and raising a child is not easy, even for a two parent household.  Give the guy a break.  Oh no, it turns out Scott has been remarried for 6 years and his child is in their mid 20's living out of the community.  Okay, Plan B, he says he taught martial arts to kids at the YMCA in Mission Valley, bingo it is in the NEW district.  We have a fall back community activity plan.  Bring in the talking points and no matter the question, really, never talk about anything but the pension ballot, managed competition, $2.2 billion unfunded benefit, running the city like a business and being a small business owner.  Oh, don't forget Scott is against taxes (or not) and favors something called zero budgeting.

Who is Scott Sherman? (Part I)

Over the following week we will explore the man named Scott Sherman, the person C. April Boling found to save us from fiscal downfall, Carl DeMaio needs so desperately as his "fiscal" vote at city council, and the man who is Croatian by blood, Swedish by birth and American by choice; the always rational Tony Krvaric Dream Team.  Psst, to help make make Scott's storyline work for this election they hired the same person who lost the 2008 election for district 7 election,Duane Dichiara.

So....How were we lucky to have Scott run for San Diego City Council?

Just a year ago, there was no record of Scott Sherman, but the few political contribution checks he gave out to Republican candidates, the insurance business where he is listed on the website as a Producer and a sport fishing website where they call him the Shermanator, and he makes off color jokes to sell his insurance policies.  Instead, he came alive to us from the client rolodex of Catherine April Boling, the treasurer for every Republican organization, candidate or front group of every Republican organization, to now run for San Diego City Council.  It helped that Carl DeMaio testified for Scott's fishing issue and as Scott reported in CityBEAT he “owed him one” and hosted a coffee where he donated to Carl for mayor.  Scott will tell you he didn't think he would be running for City Council just a year, but was asked by a good friend April!

There will be follow-up posts to explore Scott, the making of a city council candidate. They will talk about his position on taxes or when he doesn't think a tax is really a tax, local development, community involvement, understanding of city government and who is the cast behind the scenes. 

Stay tune until next time...

Boling's Hands in All the Cookie Jars

I paid a visit to the Registar's office this morning to take a look into the sources of Jan Goldsmith's fundraising. Before I got more than a couple pages in, April Boling's name caught my eye as "Mr. Ferret's" treasurer. Today, Voice casually mentioned that Boling supports Goldsmith's campaign. We'll I'd hope so since she is on his payroll.

Intrigued by her ability to be the treasurer for her own campaign as well as another race at the same time, I decided to look into all the campaigns Boling has treasured.

The list is pretty impressive, and serves as a who's who of Downtown insiders. Just since 2004, Boling has worked for:

1. Kevin Faulconer for City Council
2. Brian Maienschein for City Council
4. San Diego County Republican Party Central Committee
5. Shirley Horton for Assembly
6. John McCann for Assembly
7. Garrick for Assembly
8. Friends of Paul Hegyi
9. Associated Builders and Contractors PAC
10. Associated General Contractors PAC
11. Anesthesia Service Medical Group PAC
12. Building Industry Association
13. Gen-Probe International
14. Hispanic 100
15. New Car Dealers Association
16. BIOCOM
17. San Diego County Taxpayers Association PAC
18. San Diego Lodging Industry Association PAC
19. San Diego Restaurant and Beverage Association PAC
20. Richman for Treasurer
21. Rancho Santa Fe Taxpayers for Fiscal Responsibility – No on H
22. Lincoln Club of San Diego County
23. Rogan for Congress
24. Jan Goldsmith for City Attorney
25. David Bejarano for Assembly
26. TaxpayerAdvocate.org
27. 21st Century PAC
28. Zettel for Senate
29. Stirling for Senate
30. Tricia Hunter for Assembly
31. California Republican League of One Hundred
32. Taxpayers for Shirley Horton
33. Barnett for School Board
34. Brannigan for Judge
35. Abbott for Assembly
36. Clyde Fuller for School Board
37. San Diegans for Congestion Relief – Yes on A
38. Reff for School Board
39. Independent Grocers and Convenience Stores PAC
40. Friends of Bob Watkins
41. Women for Arnold – sponsored by the Republican Pro-Choice Coalition
42. April Boling for City Council
43. Friends of Dick Murphy
44. Phil Thalheimer for City Council
45. Leslie Devaney for City Attorney

Tuesday - Quick Hits

Street Scene set to return to the downtown streets that give it its birth back in 1983. UT

Not a good sign, Agurrie falls short on fundraising. Has only raised $7400 between Jan 1 and Mar 17. UT

Council approves mini-dorm ordinance. UT

Scripps Research Institute plans first new medical school in U.S. in 40 years. UT

City council committee pushes forward with recommendation to hire 17 more auditors. UT

Marti Emerald raises more money than April Boling in D7, Steve Whitburn barely out raises Todd Gloria in D3. UT

Steve Francis is outspending Jerry Sanders 4 to 1 in mayoral race. UT

President of Vista Unified School Board to run for Oceanside city council. UT

SD City Council 7: Who’s on first?

After what appeared to be a sustained campaign to stick something on her, the right-wingers won in getting the Emerald campaign to reveal her donors.

I’m not here to debate the merits of whether what Marti did was right or wrong. What concerns me is that she responded to this matter in a way that the accusers wanted her to. In doing what was asked, her campaign has become reactive rather than active.

In letting the Republicans set the tone, the Boling campaign could lead the Emerald campaign into a place it doesn’t want to be in and pull out a win. I believe it was The Art of War that emphasized never letting your enemy set the battlefield otherwise they will set it to their advantage and you will lose.

Remer is know for wasting a lot of money on mail and getting it out late, not cultivating strategy and building winning coalitions. As far as I know, Jacobson has never run a race.

I am now raising a flag of warning to the Emerald camp that this is their race to lose. The early signs are there. This is far from over and I hope that this post won’t forecast the future.

Nevertheless, as someone who reflexively spits out Kool-aid, I have to call this one as I see it, without the sugary-sweetened goggles on.

Desperation on the far Right

Has anyone else noticed the desperate and extreme measures being deployed by the far Right in the campaign for District 7 of the City Council. Duane Dichara and his cult of young republicans are in an unusually frenzied attempt to salvage a campaign for ethically-challenged April Boling that is quickly swirling down the drain. Their latest attacks?

Marti spent too much on campaign consultants (note: this is a great argument for any future or current Coronado Communications client to use against their consultants' fees.)

Marti won't disclose her under $100 donors. (Yes, I am sure April Boling urged all her ethically-challenged clients in the past to disclose all their donors. Mayor Murphy? Kevin Falconer? The Lincoln Club?) I guess the far right wants to see if there is anyone else they should be trying to shake down in this race... I think my Grandpa gave Marti $50.00, I hope you will spare him.

They have even rolled out good ole Scott Barnett to claim Marti must be corrupt. Scott, who admits he is for sale to the highest bidder, has worked for every special interest group in town until they have been upset by his desire to sell out to the opposition. (Have to love that Taxpayers report against Wal-Mart, right Scott?)

Now, Red County is reporting a poll that puts April within striking distance. Right. Anyone that has walked in District 7 lately (yes, Marti actually has volunteers walking for her) can tell you this race will be an embarrassment to April and her attack dogs. Give up. Go home and make sure you can hang on to the Mayor's race. I hear that Floyd Morrow might actually be a threat.

Marti Emerald Leads April Boling in Poll

Last week there was mention here as San Diego Politico of a recent poll taken in District 7 race for city council. This evening I received a copy of the poll conducted January 7-9 by Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin & Associates showing some stunning results.

Marti Emerald begins the campaign for the 7th District City Council seat with an overwhelming lead, demonstrating initial support and favorable ratings that exceed anything we have seen in an open-seat race. Emerald has 84 percent name recognition and 64 percent of voters give her a personal rating of “very” or “somewhat favorable” (compared to 9% unfavorable). Marti Emerald receives nearly 60 percent of the vote, while April Boling is at just 16 percent in an initial ballot test preceding any information about the candidates. . . .

The support Marti Emerald garners in the districts also cuts across partisan lines. She has a 54% to 22% support among Republicans, 56% support among DTS voters and an overwhelming 63% support among Democrats.

It is plainly obvious that Marti Emerald's years as the "Troubleshooter" is viewed very positively among district voters and that she doesn't suffer from some of the same baggage that other candidates running for office have to address.

Marti Emerald for Mayor?

I have had a number of people tell me that the polling on the District 7 April Boling / Marti Emerald Race was incredible. Apparently, Marti's name ID and favorables are higher than Mayor Sanders in this right-leaning district. Head-to-head April doesn't have a chance, unless Marti commits murder between now and election day. I hear that there are even some even considering asking her to abandon the 7th and run for Mayor instead. Wouldn't that shake up the Mayor's race?

Don't You Just Love Mondays?

I love Mondays. I really do. My favorite part of the day is hearing the tidbits of gossip that made the rounds over the weekend. Here are some of my favorites to start the week:

1) The Republicans are trying to encourage Maxine Sherard to throw her hat in the ring for the 78th. They figure that her name recognition, as a result of the millions spent last year, would make her the front-runner for the Dem nomination. Why would they want that? She would be a much easier candidate in the general compared to a Marty Block or Arlie Ricasa. Especially now that former Police Chief David Bejerano has decided to wait it out for Sheriff instead, and all they have is their "yes man" John McCann. If the Black Caucus wants a candidate in the 78th, I doubt it will be Maxine Sherard, I would say San Diego City Councilmember Tony Young is much more likely a candidate. Although, neither have expressed much interest.

2) Republican Luis Acle, I hear, will not be running for re-election on the San Diego City Schools Board of Trustees. That will leave that position wide open for Democrat Richard Barrera.

3) Republican Shirley Horton is planning to return to Chula Vista for a City Council run against Steve Castenada. Gotta love how the Republicans eat their own. I hear she wants to set herself up for a 2012 run for Greg Cox's seat. However, Senator Denise Ducheny and Councilmember Ben Hueso have also previously expressed in interest in that seat.

4) There has been some talk about the Republican elected officials who WON'T be supporting ethically-challenged April Boling's run for District 7 City Council. Among those past and present Republican electeds who supposedly have a beef with Boling: the entire County Board of Supervisors, former Mayor Dick Murphy, former Councilwoman Judy McCarty, current Councilman Jim Madaffer, La Mesa Mayor Art Madrid, County Treasurer Dan McCallister, (need I continue). I'll be interested to see if Marti can pull endorsements from any of the above, or if they will eventually fall in line with the Downtown Establishment. Seems Boling has a hard time making and keeping friends, even among her base.

Its Just a Fish Wrap....

One commentor yesterday suggested this article regarding the District 7 race between Marti Emerld and April Boling. The suggested article, happens to be written by Johnnie Perkins, a well known lobbyist, Republican operative, and often discussed candidate for the District 7 seat. The article is also published in the Mission Times Courier, whose Editor and Publisher is Sally Ortega Madaffer the wife of District 7 councilman Jim Madaffer.

As reported in VOSD back in July of 2006, councilman Madaffer and his wife have:

[f]or nearly a decade, ... owned the Mission Times Courier, which offers blurbs about the happenings of nearby schools, planning groups, youth sports leagues and new construction projects. Rarely does a story about City Hall pass without at least a passing reference to Madaffer's efforts, if not a friendly pat on the back. The councilman can be seen smiling with police officers and girl scouts or handing checks to community leaders in the periodical's photographs.

It is also reported that the freely distributed Mission Times Courier reaches an estimated 25,000 homes and businesses throughout most of the communities that are north of I-8 within Madaffer's district. [Link]

As the campaign season moves forward, it will be interesting to see how far this community paper the Madaffer's own is prepared to slant its coverage on behalf of April Boling. In the meantime, I suggest that the paper makes for a good fish wrap for your catch after a day fishing at Lake Murray.