Many do not understand the implications, and are worried about the outcome.
By Ryan O’Quinn/Special to The Malibu Times
This will be a historic year in the life of California politics. Not only in the sense of an unprecedented possible recall of the governor, but the international attention has prompted some local residents to take a look at state politics and perhaps vote for the first time in years.
Malibu Mayor Ken Kearsley denounced the rumor that a change in Sacramento would affect the city’s funds for a wastewater treatment facility.
“That’s a myth,” Kearsley said. “We have commitments from the state agencies and that transcends politics.”
Speaking generally on the recall election, Kearsley said, “I’ve got enough on my plate than to start worrying about that. I’m campaigning for the development deal and clean water.”
Citing Arnold Schwarzenegger’s announcement to run for governor and the media spotlight that has ensued, some Malibuites are speaking up about the election.
“I think Schwarzenegger might be a really good choice because he’s not a politician,” resident Gina Cloud said. “If he’s not acting when he says ‘give the government back to the people,’ I think he might have a very unique perspective.”
As of last Saturday’s 5 p.m. deadline, more than 160 candidates had filed the necessary paperwork and paid the $3,500 fee to register. As of Monday, 96 qualified and county registrars believe the final qualifying count will be close to 150. According to state code, any person who is a citizen of the United States, pays the fee and gathers 65 signatures from members of his or her party may run for governor.
“I’m nervous about the recall because I’m not sure I understand all the implications,” said Prissi Cohen, a 15-year resident of Malibu. “I’m concerned ‘the Terminator’ may win for the wrong reasons. We are the fifth largest economy in the world and if there’s a screw up right now with this election, it’s not just going to impact California, it’s going to impact the world.”
The special ballot that Californians will face on Oct. 7 will have two parts. First, it will ask voters to vote yes or no in favor of recalling Gov. Gray Davis. The second part will list candidates. The person receiving the most votes, should the recall succeed, will be California’s next governor.
Officials originally estimated the recall election would cost the state about $30 million, but last week revised that figure to $67 million.
Malibu resident Dennis Fanning is a homicide detective in South Central Los Angeles. He believes it is unfortunate the special election will be costly, but the idea is good for the state as well as the country.
“I agree with the recall election because I think it sends a message to the politicians that if they get elected and they don’t do the job, the electorate has the ability to say ‘you’re not doing the job, you’re outta’ here’ just like any other CEO,” Fanning said.
“Schwarzenegger’s social position may be a little too liberal for me, but I have yet to make my determination,” said Malibuite Mitch Bredefeld. “[The recall] is in the law of California and people have the right to exercise that option under law.”
The special election and the relative ease of running for office have prompted many Angelenos to join the list of candidates. Among them, porn publisher Larry Flynt, billboard icon Angelyne, comedian Gallagher, child actor Gary Coleman, comedian D.L. Hughley and porn star Mary Carey. Still others are taking advantage of their real name that happens to be the same as a celebrity, including gubernatorial candidates Edward Kennedy and Michael Jackson.
In addition to some recognizable names, there are also candidates who do not have name recognition, including 19-year-old Elizabeth Swaney, a sophomore at U.C. Berkeley.
“Students at U.C. have to pay a 25 percent fee increase this year,” Swaney said. “I think with careful budget planning a few years ago this would not have occurred, and I want to help the Legislature with careful budget planning and resource allocation.”
Swaney said some people had donated campaign funds through her Web site, and her parents would make up the difference if she had not raised enough money by the filing deadline. While on the campaign trail, she said many of the people she approached were unaware of how the recall system works and most asked her if she was old enough to run for office.
“I think Schwarzenegger has name recognition, but I’m not sure if people will vote for him,” Swaney said. “Some people, when they sign for me, say, ‘Schwarzenegger is going to win,’ but they don’t seem too excited about it.”
While many of the candidates are genuinely interested in the system, some admit to having ulterior motives. A retired police officer is campaigning on a push to make it legal to own ferrets. One woman is raising funds by selling thong underwear on her Web site and an 18-year-old-high school student is running because he lost the school congress election six times.
Like the rest of California and the world, residents of Malibu will be watching the candidates, evaluating the issues and waiting to see how this all pans out.