Newsletter Halloween Edition: When Campaigns Go to the Dogs

In the spirit of the holiday, let's take a break from the serious stuff to enjoy some political (dog) treats

It’s Halloween, so let’s have a little fun with this post! Another mayoral candidate mailer landed in my mailbox featuring cute dog pics (this one from Sean Trambley). I’ve now been treated to photos of his dogs along with those of Mike Menesini and Mark Ross (not sure if any other candidates have trotted out their pooches in the closing weeks of the campaign; if so, feel free to share!).

Since most everyone loves dogs, I thought it would be fun to conduct a poll asking Newsletter readers to vote for which candidate has the cutest.

Here are photos of the mailers in question with the poll question:

To stay on the dog theme, here’s a trivia question for you political historians out there.

Five of the six mayoral candidates will be licking their wounds with their dogs (or favorite pets, assuming they all have one) after the election. So…

And finally, since it’s Halloween, I can’t help but ask…

ELECTION TIDBITS: I may have another serious (or semi-serious) post or two before Nov. 8, but in the meantime, a reminder that the election is a week from Tuesday. If you’re voting by mail (as most voters do), you can mail or deliver your ballot anytime between now and when polls close at 8 p.m. Nov. 8 (if mailed, ballots need to be postmarked by Nov. 8). You can find a list of official ballot drop boxes here. You can also drop off your ballot at any polling location on Election Day. If voting by mail, don’t forget to sign and date the envelope (even if hand-delivering)!

Still not sure whom you’re voting for? My suggestion for undecided voters is to take a close look at the official ballot statements from the candidates running (which should have arrived in the mail). This will give you an unvarnished look at their experience, priorities and the pitch they’re making to voters for why they’re the best person for the job. I pay special attention to statements that focus on specific proposals and core value as opposed to vague generalities and superficial emotional appeals, and which communicate their vision in a concise, clear, compelling manner (something that is important to winning support once they are in office). Also, check out votersedge.org Voters have the opportunity on this site (if they take advantage of it) to provide a wealth of information about themselves and their priorities/platforms, and you can also find information about their endorsements and political philosophies. Five of the six mayoral candidates (everyone except Michael Ayers) has submitted information about their campaigns to Voters Edge. In the City Council races, Debbie McKillop and Ben Therriault both submitted information in the District 4 contest. In District 1, Nakenya Allen provided information, but Jay Howard has not. In the Martinez Unified School District Board Trustee Area 3 contest, Yazmin Llamas provided information, but Marcy LeBoeuf has not.

In the race for county clerk/recorder, you can also compare the platforms of the two candidates, Vicki Gordon (a former Martinez Unified School District and Contra Costa Community College District board member) and Kristin Braun Connelly (President and CEO of the East Bay Leadership Council and an Acalanes Union High School board member). This is a runoff from the June primary, when no candidate cleared 50% of the vote. Connelly finished first among four candidates with 33.9% of votes cast, and Gordon was second with 23.5%. The current county clerk/recorder, Deborah Cooper, is not running.