What the heck happened in the Orange Unified School District (OUSD) School Board election this week? Independent candidate Arianna Barrios was soundly rejected by voters as retired fireman Mark Wayland, an ultra conservative Republican, prevailed.
You may recall that the Republican voters in the OUSD previously elected deranged Steve Rocco instead of voting for a better candidate who was a Latino Democrat. Could this have happened again? Are OUSD voters that anti-Latino that they rather elect a weak candidate with no background in education versus a lady who has been active in the community for years? Barrios’ father, Russell, was also the first Latino OUSD School Board member. How times have changed…and not for the better.
Democratic candidate Florice Hoffman also was deafeated by an ultra conservative Republican candidate, Alexia Deligianni. I expected Hoffman had an uphill battle. But I remain surprised that Barrios lost.
The real losers in this equation are the constituents in the OUSD. Now they will be saddled with two school board members who will waste everyone’s time on social agendas and right wing blather instead of looking after the OUSD students and schools. Think Rosie Avila times two. No bueno!
Art,
I’m no conservative, but I think you consistently underestimate the somewhat conservative sensibilities of the Santa Ana population. W, for all his faults (and lo they are many) was able to appeal to that instinct. Just because someone is an immigrant, it doesn’t make them a flaming liberal.
Art,
Seriously did you bother to even talk to the candidates that won before bashing them and the citizens of the Orange area before you labled them all ignorant rascists who cant think for themselves?
Perhaps, you should check to see the backgrounds of your candidate and see exactly “how much” was ever done in the service of the community as opposed to the other candidate. Neither Mark nor Alexia has proposed pushing any “right wing” agendas or wasting time on the board. If anything both are “real” fiscal conservatives, who want the schools to have more accountability, waste less money and put the kids first and not use this as a stepping stool to other positions.
So before you start labling people and spouting “right wing rascist citizens of Orange” maybe you should educate yourself first and do some actual reporting. You lose all credibility by spouting such nonsensical statements.
Reality Check:
The answer to your question is “no.” Art doesn’t bother with mundane tasks like…facts or acquiring knowledge.
Are OUSD voters that anti-Latino that they rather elect a weak candidate with no background in education versus a lady who has been active in the community for years?
LOL! This, OJ readers, demonstrates the limited range of Art’s mentality. If a Latino/Latina loses, the only possible reason can be racism.
I endorsed Arianna early on, and believe she would have made an excellent trustee. But to attribute her loss to her last name is idiotic.
Somehow, all those racist OUSD voters who inhabit Art’s fevered imagination elected the 2 Latinos who currently sit on the OUSD Board of Trustees.
BTW, is “ultra right wing” your new favorite phrase, Art?
Looks like your former blogger Chris Emami won his 2 races that he was working on. I am not criticizing your campaign Art, but I was just curious if you asked him to work on your campaign, as I would have liked to have seen you get elected as well.
Art you are right back up there on that tired horse of yours. Your anti Latino BS is just that BS. If a Latino doesn’t get elected its because people are anti-Latino, thats just a piss poor excuse. Did Jim Walker not get elected because he is a white man in Santa Ana? So all the Latino voters are anti-Caucasian, your reasoning borders on ridiculous. How come when people do not get the outcome they like they just point fingers every vote counted and they didn’t get the votes. Get off your poor tired horse Art it needs some water.
Yeah OK,
Actually, there is precedent for my assertion. Rocco was elected in Orange in great part because the voters did not want to vote for his Latino opponent. Secondly, my friend and fellow candidate George Collins called hundreds if not thousands of GOP voters in Santa Ana over the past few weeks. He has been telling me for some time that the response he was getting was that many of these voters were not going to vote for ANY Latinos this year. I cannot blame them given what Team Pulido has done to our city, but unfortunately a few decent Latino challengers were hurt by this trend.
Lastly, because Obama’s victory was clear by 6:30, many Latino voters did not vote. That clearly hurt me and the other Latino challengers, both in the Council and School Board races.
And yes, Latino voters often vote for those with Latino surnames. This is common with new voters and with those who don’t know much about the candidates.
I should note that the County’s Vietnamese candidates also tanked on Nov. 4. Apparently the white voters in their areas are tired of the endless fights between Van Tran and Janet Nguyen. In Garden Grove that meant victory for Steve Jones and Robin Marcario. Elsewhere it spelled doom for a number of Tran’s associates.
Rocco was elected in Orange in great part because the voters did not want to vote for his Latino opponent.
There is simply no factual basis for that claim, Art. None. Just more of your weird race theories.
If OUSD voters are anti-Latino, how to you explain the two Latinos on the Board of Trustees?
Entered into evidence as Exhibit 1,234,937 as to why Art Pedroza has no credibility.
“Secondly, my friend and fellow candidate George Collins called hundreds if not thousands of GOP voters in Santa Ana over the past few weeks. He has been telling me for some time that the response he was getting was that many of these voters were not going to vote for ANY Latinos this year. I cannot blame them given what Team Pulido has done to our city, but unfortunately a few decent Latino challengers were hurt by this trend.”
Really wow then maybe Jim and George should have faired much better should we ask for a recount.
You do both Caucasians and Latinos an injustice when you run your mouth and throw around your lame accusations. I am begining to think you hate Caucasians Art do ya huh do ya? Maybe you are more racist than anyone. Did you Vote for your good friend George? Cause I did, and I voted for you wow. And I am Caucasian and Republican but maybe its ok because my daughter is part Latino?
Your horse has officially died enjoy hoofing it around town.
I have respect for you Art in some aspects I voted for you after all and I would do it again if given the chance. I just feel like its unfair that you portray anyone not Latino as anti-Latino we couldn’t possibly have no problem with Latinos or they all would have won and that so is not the case. It makes me sad to think someone that I support thinks as little or other races as you do 🙁 yup thats my sad face.
I challenge anyone to find a better ballot statement than “Retired Firefighter/Marine.” Wayland won because of his red-white-and-blue ballot statement. Nothing more, nothing less.
WOW!
Really Sour Grapes there “Ballot Statement”
How about the tens of thousands of dollars spent in the election by the Barrios Campaign?
How about the massive lists of endorsements by anyone who could put their name to paper?
How about the False advertising of a Democrat putting her name on every Republican slate and mailer trying to con voters into voting for someone who wasnt honest with the general electorate?
How about the massive political favors exchanged for key endorsements, donations, and backing?
How about the massive amount of promises to every union in exchange for money and endorsments?
Sounds to me all the advantages were in the Barrios camp.
So should a candidate who spent over 40 years of his life in service to the public and America, (which by the way is longer than Barrios has even been around) has no right to simply put forth the truth about what he has done?
A real sore losers campaign by the Barios team whom I heard through the grape vine couldnt even put in a congratulations concession call to the Wayland Campaign on a good run. Oh and By the way Wayland didnt run one negative mailer, didnt trade on one favor, didnt sell himself to any unions for their backing or funds, didnt make any promises that he could not keep, ran a clean campaign with a clear message and was the epitomy of honesty and class during this whole run. Geez, if only every politician could do the same.
Its always much easier on ones consicene to make excuses why their candidate lost and the better candidate won.