Political Gumbo: Where Are the Opponents in the Local Elections

There is an election in a couple of weeks.

By now we have seen more than enough ads in the governor’s race. It’s been too much for a while now.

And not just with the television advertisements. In my email, there are press releases from multiple candidates each claiming victory after the debates, even when they clearly did not carry the event.

Like I said too much.

However, locally, it’s been too little.

In City Council races, seats 3, 5 and 7 are up this year, but you’d never know it based on the lack of campaigning.

Yes, the District 3 seat is up again. Justin Jones has been appointed twice and won the seat once all in less than five years.

Yet, he still holds community meetings and continues to serve on multiple committees.

Rivas currently holds the District 5 seat and Jason Lyon continues to do a good job serving the people in District 7.

But you’d never know that two people have qualified to run against Jones and Lyon.

Truth to tell, Jones and Lyon have done more to engage the voters while their opponents have been quieter than a church mouse as my mom says.

A quick trip through District 3 and District 7 revealed no yard signs for their opponents and left me wondering if their opponents are campaigning at all.

Which begs the question, are local residents so complacent or full that our local elections no longer attract visionaries that move the City forward win, lose or draw.

No this is not a call or endorsement against Jones or Lyon. Both men are present and ask the right questions during presentations and deliberations on Monday nights.

They also continue to serve on subcommittees. Jones leads the Municipal Services Committee and I’d say, it’s just a matter of time before Lyon gets a committee leadership assignment.

But even in the last election, none of the races were close.

Tyron Hampton cruises to victory unopposed.

Rick Cole won 60% of the vote in his return to City politics. In a special election, District 3 residents finally got to choose their Councilmember after the City Council twice appointed Jones.

Gene Masuda’s two opponents could not collectively garner enough votes to send the race to a runoff as Masuda hovered near 70% as the results rolled in District 4.

If memory serves, there has not been a runoff election since Phil Hosp unsuccessfully challenged Andy Wilson in 2016.

In District 6, Steve Madison picked up an unopposed win.

That’s all fine and good, the people had their say.

What I can say is the candidates in those races at least took the time to campaign and knock on doors.

That does not seem to be happening in this race.

At least one of the so-called candidates is listed as an applicant for appointment to the Rental Housing Board on Monday.

How is that even possible?

Of course every election won’t be competitive, which around here is kind of par for the course. It’s hard to beat an incumbent.

But if you pull papers and qualify …

At least try.

Last thought: I get it the school district is strapped for cash — again.

Getting rid of the Eliot tower, which could serve as a symbol of hope for people in Altadena is a bad idea.

Read the room.