This story was reported for the San Diego News Network on April 20, 2010.
Americans are more than five weeks away from the June primaries and some races seem to be getting heated while others still seem non-existent.
Here’s your Tuesday lowdown with the details on races which have been sending info in for Campaign Corral. For those which haven’t sent in info, I’m sorry you didn’t send in info.
Let’s start with this week’s featured race…
Featured race — San Diego City Council District 6:
The nonpolitical question the candidates – Steve Hadley, Ryan Huckabone, Kim Tran, Howard Wayne and Lori Zapf – were asked the question: How will LaDainian Tomlinson’s departure impact the Chargers?
Here are three answers (Hadley didn’t respond):
Huckabone: I appreciate all that LT did for the Chargers during his career here, but his departure won’t have that much of an impact on the Charger’s offense. The transition to a pass-oriented offense means the Chargers aren’t utilizing their running backs like they did under coaches like Schottenheimer and Ross. Even if LT had stayed, he wouldn’t have realized the success he enjoyed early on in his career. The Charger’s run-blocking was horrible last season. While many people liken the new Charger’s offense to the Air Coryell teams of old, they need to remember that Air Coryell never played in a Super Bowl. I’d like to see the Chargers bring in a good young back through the draft and remind their offensive line how to run-block as well as pass-block. The departure of our offensive line’s run-blocking has had a larger impact on the Chargers than LT’s departure.
Tran: I do not even want to pretend that I know much, if anything about football. I do know that a lot of very large men spend a lot of time running up and down the field.
Given the hollering and screaming that emanates from our living room every Sunday during football season, I guess that LaDainian apparently does it a lot better than most.
I cannot really tell you what effect LaDainian’s absence will make as far as the team goes. I do know that LaDainian has a great reputation for being an outstanding role model for our children and his involvement in various San Diego charities such as his LT foundation and Amberwatch Foundation, which shows he cares deeply for our kids. I would say the more important question would be, what is the loss to the San Diego Community? To that I would say the loss will be great. I can only wish LT and his family the best of luck.
Wayne: LT is going to the Hall of Fame. For years he was the signature player for the Chargers and set the single-season record for most points and most touchdowns scored. That LT has been gone for the past two seasons. In 2008 he averaged a pedestrian 3.8 yards per carry, and last season was well under 1,000 yards.
The NFL game today features passing. Neither of the Super Bowl teams this year had great running backs, but both had superb quarterbacks. The Chargers will be well poised to contend if they can find an everyday running back who can keep them from being stereotyped as a pass-only team and can pick up the key yards in third and short.
The Chargers also need a nose tackle who can clog up the middle of the line and collapse the other team’s pocket, an offensive line that can run block better and an upgrade at cornerback.
If the Chargers can do all that – and stay healthy – LT will be a fond memory for a championship team.
Zapf: LT has contributed more than his football skills to San Diego. He has been an inspiration to San Diego’s children on and off the field. LT has been a tremendous role model, at a time when we definitely need them. His departure not only impacts the Chargers on the field, they also lose an outstanding ambassador of goodwill.
Across the campaigns:
Assemblymember Mary Salas, who is running against Juan Vargas and Bill Henry for the 40th Senate seat, seems to be getting endorsements each week. Her latest comes from the California Labor Federation.
The union’s executive secretary-treasurer Art Pulaski said he is proud CLF is endorsing the assemblymember.
“Mary is a leader in the efforts to protect the interests of working people,” he said. “We know she’ll fight every day to improve the lives of working families and will always stand up to the big banks and insurance companies that have made Sacramento a mess.”
Carl DeMaio, who spoke about the competition ballot initiative this morning on Mark Larson’s Show, raised $30,966 at his “MoneyBomb” fundraiser last Thursday. The new money now sets his campaign funds around $500,000 since starting his fundraising on Oct. 22. More money is expected to come in online, said DeMaio.
In other DeMaio news, the councilmember announced his endorsement for Carly Fiorina in her race to unseat Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.).
In the San Diego City Council District 8 race, Republican Adrian Vazquez posted a confident Facebook status update:
“Contemplating on how great it is going to be to win the District 8 seat. Yes we can, Yes we can, Yes we can Contemplando en lo maravilloso que va a hacer ganar el asiento del Distrito 8. Sí se puede, Sí se puede, Sí se puede.”
The candidate also posted photos of his latest meeting with the San Diego County Republican Party and is one of two Republicans running for the seat (the other being Lincoln Pickard).
Also advertising on Facebook is Kristi Stone, who is running for the 38th Senate seat against Mark Wyland. She has labeled herself the “Freedom Czar” and said she attended one of the many Tea Party protests on April 15. Mike Paster, who is running against Rep. Darrell Issa, commented on her comment, stating “Good Times!”
Retired sheriff Bill Koleander announced his endorsement for Robert Faigin for Chula Vista City Attorney, who is running against Glen Gloogins.
In a letter to voters, Koleander wrote, “You may be asking yourself right now, ‘Why do I care about the race for Chula Vista City Attorney?’ Well, as we all know from past experiences in the City of San Diego, the wrong City Attorney can virtually grind a city to a halt. Robert Faigin is the right choice for Chula Vista City Attorney. “
On the subject of sheriffs, the University Club will host its next “Distinguished Speaker Series” on Friday featuring the three candidates running to be the county’s next sheriff. Jim Duffy, Jay LaSuer and Sheriff Bill Gore are all expected to participate.
Congressional candidate Nick Popaditch and state Senate candidate Greg Stephens are participating in Sweetwater Harley-Davidson’s “Freedom Rally” Saturday. The rally will begin at 3 p.m. at 3201 Hoover Ave. in National City. Popaditch is running against Rep. Bob Filner in the 51st District and Stephens is running against Michael Metti, Joel Anderson and Jeff Stone in the 36th District.
Last week at SDNN:
In election-related news featured on SDNN last week, Supervisor Bill Horn and San Diego City Council District 6 candidate Lorie Zapf participated in an anti-tax “Had Enough” rally. The rally attracted about 100 protestors and Carly Fiorina supporters and blasted the federal and state governments for “overspending.” Zapf even went as far as to say Americans spent more on taxes than food, shelter and clothing combined. What did an SDSU professor think of her remark? Click on the article to find out.
The conservative political action committee Bettercourtsnow.com announced their endorsements against “activist judges” a couple weeks ago. Find out who they endorsed in last week’s article.
Finally, SDNN published my Q&A with political consultant Tom Shepard, aka “Mayor Maker.” He spilled his beans (or as much as a political consultant can) in a half-hour interview. Check out his answers to my questions here.
Next week I’ll focus on one of three races listed in the poll below. And, for candidates and campaign managers – please keep me up-to-date by sending any new info to Politics(a)SDNN.com or start blogging for us!
Hoa Quach is the political editor for the San Diego News Network.