By R. E. Graswich
Special Assistant to Mayor Kevin Johnson
Now that the voters have spoken, let’s see if City Hall listens.
I’ve been watching Sacramento City Council elections for more than 30 years, and can’t remember a more definitive anti-incumbent statement than the one issued during this week’s primary.
A political newcomer, Angelique Ashby, knocked out incumbent Ray Tretheway without benefit of a run-off. She won outright, saving the expense of a final round in November.
This race was instructive. Council District 1 reaches from downtown to the city’s northern boundary, almost to Sac International Airport.
It has twice the population of most other council districts, and will be carved up when redistricting takes places in 2011.
Mayor Johnson won big in District 1 in 2008 when running against Heather Fargo. This time, he decided nothing was more important than helping Ashby.
Context is important. Mayor Johnson has been saying for two years Sacramento residents need to challenge the status quo. Citizens must get involved and not let special interests dictate the rules at City Hall, he says.
Ashby responded by running against a well-financed incumbent. And Mayor Johnson stepped up by not only supporting Ashby, but by walking Natomas neighborhoods with her the weekend before Tuesday’s election. He also asked his supporters to back Ashby, either with time, money or both.
There’s a basic truth about politics: Elected officials care very deeply about keeping their jobs.
They don’t want to make large groups of voters angry. And they especially don’t want to encourage serious challengers who bring new ideas and energy.
The Ashby lesson will resonate for years at City Hall. Incumbents can be defeated in primaries. Citizens can make a difference. And politicians have no guarantees.
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