Candidates Vie for Seat in California's Assembly
He's backed by the big oil companies, and she's beholden to unions, the candidates running for the 59th Assembly District say of each other.
At a debate on Wednesday, Tim Donnelly and Darcel Woods argued over AB 32, an environmental law that Donnelly says will kill jobs.
“AB 32 is about control and power. It’s about the government reaching into our lives and taking our liberty... I think it’s time we beat that back and say ‘enough.” Donnelly said.
Woods interrupted, saying: “Well... Mr. Donnelly can clearly, with a clear conscience, say that because he is actually being backed by big oil and big tobacco. So that is why he is protecting his backers.” She went on to add that Donnelly would only represent special interest groups like Tobacco and Oil companies.
Such a statement caused anger among Donnelly’s campaign.
“A little homework at the Secretary of State’s website reveals [the] facts,” said Rick Scott, Donnelly’s Director of Communications. “It is true that Mr. Donnelly has received an astonishing three campaign contributions from Oil and Tobacco donors, but those contributions total only 7% of his total campaign donations.”
Mr. Scott went on to add that, of the 204 contributors from which Mr. Donnelly has received money, only 3 could be described as special-interest. Specifically, those groups are Altria, AT&T, and Chevron, he said. In total, the three organizations donated just under $7000 to the Republican candidate.
Donnelly’s campaign fired their own accusations back at Woods, accusing her of being beholden to unions. According to her website, Woods is endorsed by 36 union organizations, including the California Teachers Association and the SEIU. Donnelly’s campaign manager, Gregg Imus, says this calls into question her independence from these unions.
“I don’t know that I’ve ever met a Democrat that wasn’t beholden to unions,” Imus said.
“According to California’s Secretary of State website, Ms. Woods has received $42,500 or fully two-thirds of her contributions from 9 labor unions.” Scott added. “Moreover, of the 94 contributions she has received, 15 of those came from special interest groups.”
Among those mentioned above, Scott said, these groups include Service Employees International, United Domestic Workers of America, and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.
In response, Ms. Woods said that she is not beholden to anyone. And, she said, despite her large union backing, she has only received financial support from half of the unions backing her.
Dermot Givens, Woods' campaign manager, agreed that unions have accounted for a significant chunk of Woods' total contributions, but said the total from unions is small compared to their contributions to other campaigns.
“It's a majority of what she is reporting, but that's still a small amount compared to a typical campaign,” Givens said.
Campaign finance records for both candidates reveal that both Donnelly and Woods are getting money from typical Republican and Democratic sources. Between July 1 and Oct. 30, Donnelly took in $3,900 from former Republican lawmaker Jim Brulte, $7,800 in loans from current Republican lawmakers, nearly $2,000 from the 59th District Republican Central Committee and $1,000 from the Los Angeles County Lincoln Club.
Meanwhile, Woods took in $1000 from physical therapist Michael Parker, $500 from NFL Defensive Line coach Wayne Nunnelly, $7800 from SEIU-United Long Term Care Workers, and a number of smaller donations from people around the district. Ms. Woods also donated $20,000 to her own campaign.
The 59th District is typically considered a Republican stronghold, said political analyst Allan Hoffenblum; but that might not be the case this election. The sprawling Assembly district, split between Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties, has been held by Republicans for nearly two decades. But, according to Hoffenblum, the stage was set early last year for the possibility of a change.
Assemblyman Anthony Adams (R-Hesperia) drew the wrath of his constituents when he voted in favor of a Democrat-backed state budget draft that included more than $12 billion in tax hikes. A recall effort followed, mounted by anti-tax activists and KFI 640 radio talk-show hosts Jon Kobylt and Ken Chiampou, but failed to garner enough signatures to make it onto the ballot. After the failed effort, Adams chose not to seek re-election. He said he felt confident he would have won re-election, but instead chose to retire.
In the 59th district, more people are registered as Republicans than as Democrats – 43 percent to 35 percent. But according to Hoffenblum, the fact that the district has more registered Republican voters should not be an indication of which way the race is going to go. “It’s an open seat,” he said, because Woods is not a “doctrinal liberal” while Donnelly is “more to the right than the average voter is in that district.” Thus, Hoffenblum added, neither candidate should be considered an insider.
Such a concept is underlined by the fact that no polls have been taken. Still, Imus says that his candidate has a significant lead over Woods.
“Just based on walking door-to-door and getting feedback from people in the precincts, I’d say that Tim has a 20 point lead,” he said.
Givens, Woods’ campaign manager, would only say that his candidate has a “50-50” chance of winning.
“Our campaign will depend on the declined to state voters and independents and moderate Republicans,” Givens said.
Some also argue that Donnelly’s far-right leanings could encourage some Republicans to vote Democrat.
“Tim is the kind of person you either totally love or you absolutely hate,” said Dianna Paul, an undecided voter in the district. “He’s got some strong views and he’s definitely not afraid to speak his mind.” She added that many of his views are extremely radical, which could alienate some Republicans.
It’s these strong views that have made Donnelly a hotly debated topic. Between his strong opinions and outspoken personality, Donnelly has created a lot of controversy around himself.
“I’m not here to play nice with people,” he asserts.
One view that has landed Donnelly in hot water with some voters is his take on illegal immigration. A former Minutemen, Donnelly has angrily voiced his fury with the government for not securing California’s borders
“The Constitution says that the government must protect us from an invasion,” he said. “Illegal immigration has cost our state billions of dollars. No matter what you call it, this is [about] taxation. Moreover…illegal immigration is best described as ‘taxation without representation.’”
But it’s not only his view on illegal immigration that has people upset, it’s the fact that he believes California should introduce an immigration law similar to that passed in Arizona – SB 1070.
“I don’t know how anyone could believe in such a law,” said Lithuanian immigrant Laima Murasaas. “It’s unconstitutional and it’s almost racial profiling.”
For her part, Darcel Woods believes that views like these are part of why Donnelly should not be elected. “Mr. Donnelly, with his Minuteman philosophy, will divide this district,” she said.
Despite Donnelly’s detractors, well-known conservative groups like the Tea Party have voiced their support.
“We endorse Tim Donnelly for his true Constitutional values and his proven track record as a minuteman on the California border,” said Cheryl Lapham, organizer of the San Bernardino Tea Party. “We believe that Tim will make a great Statesman for the 59th Assembly District.”
As per the SEIU, Woods’ support from many of the unions comes from a belief that a Democrat can win in spite of the Republicans’ past stronghold.
“If you look at some of the results in the primary, they would give you reason to think there's something going on there,” said Wyatt Closs, a spokesman for the Service Employee International Union-United Long Term Care Workers
The two candidates have garnered support from their respective parties as well.
“I don't know if there's anybody up there that knows the issues better than Tim,” said former-Senator Mountjoy said. “He's been on the border. He's been part of the Minutemen.” Mountjoy added that he is confident that Donnelly is a strong conservative who will stand strong in his beliefs. Because of his beliefs, Mountjoy said, Donnelly will represent the 59th well as the next Assemblyman.
But according to Becca Doten, a member of the Democratic National Committee, Darcel Woods has the background and experience that California desperately needs.
“Her priorities are the priorities of the 59th District,” Doten said.
Doten added that Woods is exactly what Sacramento needs right now because she wants to put people back to work by creating new jobs, she wants to resolve the state’s budget crisis, and she wants to help small businesses through tax breaks and incentives so that they can stay in California. In other words, she said, Woods is ready to find solutions that will move the state forward and improve the lives of the people in it.
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