Sheffo Reflects

From the in box:

One of the three or four scenarios I considered for the race was the "Revenge of New Encinitas" scenario. I think it is that one that held sway last night.

While I thought that the Obama wave might help left-leaning candidates way down the ballot (people like Rachelle), it turns out that all politics are indeed local.

[KC note: Most people have little idea what is going on at city hall and a huge slug of Encinitas just wants to "build the damn park already." ]

In this case, the local issue was the Hall property.

[This issue was thoughtfully commanded by Bonds, Stocks, Long, and Aceti. Everyone loves kids and beaches.]

In the end, it was the SUV-driving soccer moms and dads who came out big for Stocks and Bonds and decided the race in their favor.

In fact, if there's anyone who should be upset this morning, it's Doug Long, who would be a councilman-elect if it were not for Jim Bond.

My only other observation is that, considering he came within less than a percentage point of Rachelle, Bob Nanninga ran a damn good race.

[Bob was well organized and had the most interesting media (see below)]

I don't regret running at all. I learned a lot, met some great people, and broadened my horizons a little. And I take solace in the fact that many other candidates who were either incumbents (Ed Gallo in Escondido) or had some prior political experience (Jim Gibson in Oceanside) or were well-funded first-timers (Farrah Douglas in Carlsbad) also lost.

Joe Sheffo