Party politics increases presence in local nonpartisan races

Political Analyst, Dr. David Anderson, says “partisans are saying things which in the past they would have muted.”

Outside of State Assembly and Congressional seats, people in Monterey County are also voting on what are considered nonpartisan races. These are elections for District Attorney, Sheriff, Treasurer and others. All races we’ll see in Monterey County in 2018.

These candidates can’t run with a political party, but nothing says they can’t say what party they support.

Sheriff’s candidates have become increasingly political nationwide. This includes in our local race, where candidate Scott Davis, who lists his Democratic Party affiliation on his campaign signs, called a recent accusation a political attack. “This is about a Trump Republican who is trying to take out a Democrat,” Davis said, Tuesday.

Anderson says this has been happening increasingly often across the country, in local races. “Trump has become like an adjective. A Trump candidate. A Trump method. A Trump race.”

The dividing line between partisan and nonpartisan was highlighted in a dispute within the Monterey County Democratic Party. Their Chair sent a letter to Central Committee members who were allegedly supporting non-Democrats. It writes they may be removed from their position.

Vice Chair, Karen Araujo, tells KION the letter is supported by the party’s bylaws.

“We exist for the promotion and advances of the values of the Democratic Party, and the facilitation of the election of Democratic candidates.”

The email includes a list of no-go candidates in nonpartisan races, including County Supervisor races and Sheriff.

“If by nonpartisan, someone thinks that means the parties have no interest in the races, that’s not the way things are.”

Speaking with Dr. Anderson, Wednesday, he says he’s not surprised, both locally and nationally. He says nonpartisan races are becoming increasingly tribal. “There’s a feeling of competitiveness
that you have to identify with your camp. You are expected to be loyal to your side.”

Araujo tells KION the committee has sent this message before every election, and that the Monterey County Republican Party also makes these endorsements. She says only two people on the roughly 50 person Central Committee were concerned about their stance, and committee members have taken an oath to support Democratic Party candidates.