A couple of follow up thoughts post election – then maybe I can put it behind me and move forward.
The well-to-do Governor Stanford
On election night I was talking to KNBC-TV political reporter Conan Nolan about rich candidates who were elected governor of California. I don’t know the history of all of California’s governors, but one that Conan immediately identified was Leland Stanford, eighth governor of California elected to a two-year term in 1861.
Stanford, of course, was a founder of Stanford University named after his son and became wealthy in the railroad business as a member of the Big Four who ran the Central Pacific Railroad.
While Stanford was a well off businessman when he won the governorship, his big dollars would come later. Some have argued he used the governorship in ways that benefited his business and increased his wealth.
But, even the wealthy businessman might not have been elected governor if it were not for the coming Civil War. California had divided loyalties with the approach of the North-South divide. Two candidates ran as Democrats for governor, one sympathetic to the South, the other a supporter of the Union. The Democrats split their vote allowing Stanford to be elected the first Republican governor of California with just under 47% of the vote.
It’s interesting to note that Stanford was the Republican candidate for governor in the previous election and was defeated before he found success at the polls.
Does this history lesson mean much for Meg Whitman? Probably not. But the old adage of try, try again and you might succeed has never gone out of style.
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Prop 26 and the City of Bell
The shenanigans and possible criminal activity of the leaders of Bell, California may have had some effect on the success of Proposition 26.
Bell was front page news for months before the election. Among the issues raised in the investigations of Bell officials were the officials funding lavish pay and benefits through extraordinary taxes and fees.
Homeowners suffered a high property tax rate and businesses were forced to pay fees in lieu of sales taxes or just to operate within the city limits. The Los Angeles District Attorneys office is currently investigating the outrageous fees imposed on some businesses.
According to the Los Angeles Times, one car wash owner wrote the word “bribe” in Spanish on his check when paying his fees.
The story of Bell mismanagement and abuse of businesses and taxpayers was widespread. Proposition 26, which requires a local vote of the people to approve fees, was behind in the polls but on Election Day it captured 53% of the vote.
It is possible the story of Bell misappropriation of taxpayer money might have turned around the numbers and put Proposition 26 over the top. Elections have turned on breaking news before.