Mirkarimi for state Senate?I just heard a fascinating little rumor that says something about the state Senate race between Carole Migden, Mark Leno and Joe Nation.
Nation’s from Marin and is the more moderate candidate, and some San Franciscans fear that the two more progressive queer legislators could split the SF vote and leave the door open for Nation to win – and for San Francisco to lose a state Senate seat. So a few supporters of Sup. Ross Mirkarimi are saying that he ought to enter the race, as a write-in for the June Green Party primary.
Under the theory here, Mirkarimi would get the Green nomination. If Migden or Leno is the Democrat in the race, he’d drop out. If it’s Nation, he might want to decide to stay in.
Of course, that could mean giving up his board seat, since he’s up for re-election in November, and I’m not sure that’s a good idea. Perhaps better to have Mirkarimi in San Francisco than Sacramento.
But it shows how concerned people are about the prospect of SF losing this seat.
Mirkarimi was a little startled when he first heard of the plan, which was hatched by supporters who never actually talked to him about it. “I was taken by surprise at how well thought out this became, completely independent of me,” he said. He said he’s running for re-election to the Board of Supervisors, and that’s his priority. But he’s not against the concept of joining the Green Party primary, and if the Democrat were Joe Nation “then I would have to make a decision.”
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Comments (3)
Tim,
So in other words, you think they should essentially be a bunch of weasels and cheat and exploit the "spoiler" factor which you so abhor. And that also means that the people who genuinely supported Mirkarimi in the primary and weren't wise to these ruthless machinations should immediately be left at the alter? You would do Karl Rove proud, Tim.
Posted by expatriate | March 25, 2008 09:56 AM
The Democrats profit from spoiling all the time. Ross Perot spoiled Bush I for Clinton I.
Countless Libertarians spoil Republicans, electing Democrats.
I can understand folks who are unplugged from politics falling for the Democratic Party's whining about spoiling, but for someone who is politically sophisticated, such as expatriate, from San Francisco to parrot that line is unfortunate.
I prefer that Ross stay on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, and am not that concerned about the Senate seat being taken by Nation in Marin even though he's more conservative for my tastes.
Rarely are spats within the Democrat caucuses in Sacramento that consequential in the big scheme of things.
That is what happens when the primaries devolve into the bonfire of the vanities, focusing on personalities rather than the politics involved, then a pox on both of their houses.
The message of such an outcome would be to put the interests of constituents before those of electeds.
Of course, if they were that concerned with losing to a more moderate plurality winner, Migden and Leno could always introduce and pass an emergency IRV bill for partisan elections in CA...
-marc
Posted by marc | March 25, 2008 03:40 PM
Why should Nation's election be considered the loss of seat? Nation is a strong democrat who played a big part in the Global Warming bill a couple years ago and is trying to go to Sac to do more on that issue. The issue effects everyone, whether you're on one side of the bridge or the other. He's also strongly pro-gay marriage and basically every other thing under the San Francisco sun. Don't despair - this seat is safe with any one of the three!
Posted by what about marin & sonoma? | March 25, 2008 06:19 PM