Breaking news – Ana Valencia-Verdin has apparently pulled out of the race against Carlos “Space Commander” Bustamante for Santa Ana’s Ward 3. Word has it that she may not have registered to vote in Santa Ana in time. Local election law mandates that candidates be registered to vote in Santa Ana for at least 30 days prior to the City Council filing deadline.
A friend of mine has tried to verify this but Valencia-Verdin is not returning phone calls. A meeting that was planned with her and members of the community tonight has been scrapped.
So we are back to square one. We don’t have a candidate.
This one is a real head-scratcher. Santa Ana is a majority Democratic city – by far. Bustamante is a very unpopular Republican. In fact we recently disclosed that Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido’s own cabal doesn’t like Bustamante anymore – not since he was compelled to resign from two state posts that Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger had appointed him to. Bustamante’s “water-bra” remarks did him in.
But we can’t find someone to take him on. Ward 3 includes two of the top neighborhoods in Santa Ana – Floral Park and Park Santiago – but no one wants to take on Bustamante, for fear of what Team Pulido might do to them.
What to do? Consider this an appeal to the people of Ward 3 – we need a candidate. Bustamante can be defeated. For the good of our City someone needs to run – and I really don’t want to do it. I have my hands full with my job and work that I do on the side as a safety trainer and consultant. And I don’t want to take away any more time from my family. Will anyone else step up?
It is inconceivable that Ward 3 cannot produce a challenger to Bustamante…
UPDATE:
Ana Rebecca Valencia-Verdin has finally resurfaced. She says she is still in the race and that she is registered. I have someone else checking on that.
Several folks are getting a wee bit nervous that this lady COULD be a plant by Carlos Bustamante, with the goal of keeping others from filing. Just in case there are efforts underway right now to produce one or two more candidates. Two progressive women are in the mix.
One way or another Busty is going down…
Art –
We talked about this. Bite the bullet and do what has to be done. You can count on me to stick by you. Please run!
SMS
I agree! Take him on — you’ve got a natural forum to campaign from and would get plenty of support.
Art
As you know, and as we have talked, I would do this tommorrow if I were there. I have no problem taking on the Space Commander. But I am not there.
In the past, you have talked about running for the seat. Talk it over with your wife. There is much on the line here. This is the tipping point. It is either maintain the status quo (Pulidistas and Busty Bustamante) or facilitate the move forward.
As you have watched and discussed with me, municipalities will be the next battlefront in the effort to right California’s economic ship. While I believe that the Governor’s 1cent increase is a first step, the cold at the state level has begun and will continue to produce the flu at the municipal level.
Given the paucity of transitional leadership on the Santa Ana Clowncil and the ineffective leadership shown by Pulido (the Latino version of Chicago’s Mayor Daley who was sunk by the Chicago riots in the streets during the Demo convention) over the last 5 years, change is inevitable. You will bring a sense of balance to the Clowncil. We will have to refer to the Clowncil as Clowncil minus 2 if you and Lisann run and win.
You have to do it.
Change begins with one voice. Transparency and accountability will reflect the element of change.
Just Do It.
This is a perfect example of Santa Ana strength in leadership. Here is a woman who wants the city to do things differently and is willing to challenge the incumbent. However, she’s obviously not been registered to vote.
You need to think about this, Art, the next time you feel like bashing actual candidates ( I am thinking about those for the school board right now) who have pulled papers, have fairly lame websites, but who have at least registered to vote as a qualifyer. I don’t think you should discourage ANYONE from stepping up to try and fill a leadership position. There is such a huge void in SA!
she didnt register to vote?! just the type of candidate we need in office in santa ana! give me a break. and art dont make excuses for not running against bustamante we all know why you wont: your behind would be handed to you. i mean i would vote for you but we all know you wouldnt stand a snow balls chance in hell against that pig bustamante.
Rumors rumors rumors. Art…. this is not so. Rebecca is very much still in the running and by no means has she been disqualified. Her campaign has been in constant contact with the city. Her voter status is not an issue. This was someone trying to damage her campaign. Hurray free publicity. Check her website.
anaforsantaana.com
Website is ana4santaana.com
“Word has it that she may not have registered to vote in Santa Ana in time.”
And who’s word was that?
So who gave you false information? More importantly, is trying to produce “breaking news” more important to you than verifying rumors until you KNOW, 100%, that it’s a fact and not a rumor?
#8,
Jokes on you! It sure looks like Team Pulido tried to pull a fast one. That’s OK – we recovered and Carlos is STILL going to be toast!
Red,
I STILL don’t like most of the SAUSD candidates. Oh well. Hopefully the better ones will win. The bigger battle will be taking out Rob Richardson and Jose Hernandez. ANYONE would be better than Tweedle-dee and Tweedle-dum…
“That’s OK – we recovered…”
No, you didn’t. Recovering would have been posting something like “we were misled…we got it wrong”. Something you’re apparently incapable of doing. It must be a genetic anomaly.
#12 (Pulido Hack),
It sucks when your crooked plans fall apart, doesn’t it?
Busty is going down – you better get used to the idea.
Art,
1. I frankly would like to see Busty go down. He’s an empty suit.
2. I’m no fan of Pulido either.
3. I had nothing to do with that rumor.
4. But then, none of that has anything to do with the fact that this post was written prematurely…as you well know. Talk about being a hack.