City council races are nonpartisan, but some candidates still receive endorsements from political parties. What’s your view on the role of party endorsements in a nonpartisan race, and did you seek any?

— John Q. Public

Responses

Gregory Daggett

My view is that the endorsing procedure can give disproportionate weight to a few party activists. It is best to visit https://www.vote411.org/ from the League of Women Voters, that’s on the last page of the Official Humboldt County Voter Information Guide for great information on all candidates, websites, and social media.

Alex Stillman

I am not endorsed by a party. I am on the League of Women Voters www.vote411.org with a partial endorsement list of citizens of Arcata. 

Genevieve Serna

Thanks for this question. The City Council is a nonpartisan role in a very partisan political climate. Most decisions made by the city council aren’t easily divided by party line but rather feedback from the whole community. My ability to empathize and listen to constituents, no matter their party line is something I’ve done on the campaign trail and will continue to do once elected to Arcata City Council. I am endorsed by the Central Labor Council, Humboldt County Democratic Party and Humboldt Progressive Democrats among many others. What my endorsements do is validate my commitment to causes such as increasing affordable housing, creating safer streets for Arcata’s children and elders and bringing unity to our community. These are not just talking points but principles that other community leaders recognize. To view and join my list of endorsers please visit www.SernaForArcata.com

Sarah Schaefer

Political parties and organizations can represent larger values and viewpoints that community members hold. Party endorsements help those voters be able to make decisions and choose candidates that align with their values. I am proud to be endorsed by both the Humboldt County Democrats and Progressive Democrats as well as unions such as the Central Labor Council, Building and Construction Trades Council, Operating Engineers, AFSCME, and International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. I am proud to represent these progressive values for folks in Arcata. 

Dana Quillman

Endorsements have an unspoken (or maybe spoken) agreement attached to them that may give an impression of the elected official being beholden to the person, agency or organization endorsing them.  I don’t want to feel beholden to anyone and so I do not take endorsements. 

Political organizations have the right to make a public endorsement of a candidate but for a candidate to ask for an endorsement from a particular political organization or institution does imply that their voting decisions are aligned whatever current positions that organization favors and again, gives an impression of indebtedness.  The elected official that accepts that said endorsement may find themselves in compromising positions in the future because of forming those alliances.

For example, the Democratic Party used to be known as the party of freedom and yet at present it is the party calling for censorship and other viewpoints that are opposite of what it has previously stood for.  It is yest another reason I would reject any endorsement from any political party because it is obvious that party platforms are changeable.  The two-party system is set up to create division and a lack of choice.  As an elected official I want to be a free agent.  I openly and honestly express my viewpoints and the people that agree with them will vote for me knowing that I will support those viewpoints.  The words liberal and conservative cannot accurately describe any one person and my viewpoints have elements that may be considered to be both.  I will not be pigeon-holed.

In the same vein, I am an advocate for campaign finance reform and do not take donations for the same reason, of not wanting to be beholden to another.  I would like to see some kind of change in our political system that creates a fair playing field in election campaigns. 

 

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