An influential campaign message in the Senate District 7 Special Election would be: NO Republican Has Applied.
Democrat Steve Glazer snagged the important endorsement of the Contra Costa Times in his run for the Senate District 7 special election but what he really needs is a campaign effort to inform voters that the Republican in the race is no longer competing.
Glazer received the endorsement because the newspaper sees him as a candidate that can work across the political aisle, is not under the influence of special interests, and is an independent thinker. The man who helped guide Jerry Brown’s return to the governor’s chair has publically differed with the governor on high profile issues such as high-speed rail.
The special election ballot consists of four Democrats and one Republican. The Republican, Michaela Hertle, has taken herself out of the race and endorsed Glazer. But how many district voters are aware of that fact? Typically, if voters go into the voting booth and don’t know too much about the candidates they often use party identification as a guide.
Despite bowing out of the race, Hertle could rack up a significant enough vote total to sway the results.
The 7th Senate District is almost a mirror reflection of the state as far as voter registration is concerned. Democrats make up 43.5% of the district voters, Republicans 29% and No Party Preference 23%.
In selecting the top vote getters, the Republican and NPP voters – should they come out to vote – can make a difference.
Because they served in the legislature, Susan Bonilla and Joan Buchanan have name ID and have split up the usual endorsements that go to Democratic candidates. The other Democrat in the race is teacher/scientist Terry Kremin.
To an average voter not following the race closely, Glazer is a fourth Democrat. However, he is in a position to make a likely run-off, especially if Republican voters and some independents join the Democrats who agree with Glazer’s positions. The problem for him is that, in a special election, those voters may not focus on the fact that the designated Republican has withdrawn.
Glazer would benefit if the voters knew the score. The Glazer campaign or an independent expenditure effort making that point could influence the SD 7 election results.