voiceofsandiego.org: Letters... The Democrats Are Here

Consider this year’s mayoral race, in which a Republican challenger spent $4.7 million to promote himself as a kind of progressive independent. He couldn’t even force a runoff against the incumbent.

As Voice has reported in the past, incumbent mayors in the city of San Diego are virtually never unseated. So who is really "openly wondering why established Dems didn’t jump in" other than a writer trying to justify a story?

The glib comparison to a special election for Congress in Mississippi doesn’t shed much light on the political reality in San Diego.

The passing reference to Republican "financial support from the downtown business establishment" understates the huge fundraising disadvantage that our community-minded candidates often face. The fact is that Democrats remain competitive and are building momentum in those races, despite being outspent by 2-to-1 or 10-to-1 or more.

San Diego isn’t the only area where the kind of low turnout seen on June 3 strongly favored our opponents. But our City Council candidate placed first in District 1, where Republicans still lead in party registration. In District 7, our candidate virtually tied to force a runoff for a seat that has always been dismissed as out of reach for Democrats.

This November, when turnout will be more than double what we saw in the Primary, Democrats will enjoy a very different playing field. We’re also looking forward to demonstrating the actual infrastructure we’re building, from data management and professional staffing to a robust training program for our growing army of volunteers.

Unfortunately, this story is long on quotes from armchair analysts and short on facts that might show a more balanced view.

Take the instance where Washburn writes: "Another piece of conventional wisdom holds that the local GOP does a better job targeting absentee voters." Had he checked, he would have found that the early voting rate among Democrats countywide in June was actually slightly higher than for Republicans.

Campaigns are indeed primarily candidate-driven. But by any measure, the County Democratic Party is vastly further developed than it was even four years ago. We have undertaken a long-term program that will bear fruit over multiple electoral cycles, helping Democratic candidates at every level.

This year’s separate Presidential Primary was one of many factors skewing the June results. But in February, the majority of the vote here went to Democrats, even in some of the county’s most conservative districts.

While some aspects of our plan may take longer than others to materialize, it would be a mistake to ignore the signs of a real "new era in San Diego politics" that a more thoughtful study of the underlying trends would suggest.

By November, Democrats may actually have a countywide plurality thanks to our unprecedented voter registration program and our inspirational presidential candidate. When we translate those numbers into local victories, I hope the Voice will take the time to set the record straight.

Jess Durfee is the chairman of the San Diego County Democratic Party.

There is no excuse for not fielding a competitive democratic candidate against an incumbent republican mayor -- not ever. But here we see the excuse is that you can't win. And that is simply because you are losers and act like losing is a fait d'accompli. // Your excuse is money woes, but that's because you can't fundraise. Then you hitch your broken down wagon to the Obama star hoping to carry local elections, the success of which has nothing to do with you -- Obama's influence is around no matter (despite) how bad the local democratic party operates. // This letter is filled with excuses and is incredibly defensive -- this is really the only thing that the local democratic leaders are good at, aside from serial capitulation.

Posted by Christopher Hall | reply to this comment
June 18, 2008 8:46 am

Marti Emerald in District 7 had a huge name recognition advantage going into the Primary. With massive help from the republican party, April Boling edged her out of first place and forced a runoff. Meanwhile, the county dems under Durfee spent $35,000 dollars in district 3 on Stephen Whitburn in a race that is all-democrat. If that money had been spent on Marti Emerald, there wouldn't have been a runoff in District 7. Good job Durfee, way to give the republicans a chance to take over the council! I hope you can admit your mistake and change your funding strategy for the good of the party in November.

Posted by District 3 resident | reply to this comment
June 18, 2008 9:03 am

So Jess, is the Democratic Party backing Mike Aguirre for CA, or are you caving in to your masters the public employee unions, who are driving the middle class and poor into poverty?????????????

Posted by Billy Bob Henry | reply to this comment
June 18, 2008 9:37 am

you're an absolute embarrassment to the democratic party, in a year we all should be proud! you hire washed up republican hacks to raise money (and it's a wonder there isn't any???) and still rely on traitors like midge "works for bonnie dumanis" castanza. this story was long overdue and will hopefully haunt you for a long time. the voters spoke...you didn't even get re-elected....haha, it's funny regardless of whether you find a way to thwart the will of the voters and continue to destroy a real progressive movement in SD.

Posted by marie | reply to this comment
June 18, 2008 9:38 am

Hey Billy Boob, public employees are the middle class and sometimes the poor! If Aguirre was a real democrat, he would be defending those folks.

Posted by Joe | reply to this comment
June 18, 2008 9:57 am

In this particular dispute between fund-raising and the Republicans vs. the Democrats, it is those "poor" public employees and other labor unions that give huge amounts of money to their candidates, which I believe, are always the democrats. In addition to the funds that go into PACs (Political Action Committees) there are those big groups of people who drum up the support by whatever means they can. This is America, and we have democracy. It appears as if Aguirre is representing the "People of San Diego" whenever he goes out to defend us. Look at the most recent lawsuit decisions, which total $ 10.5 MILLION dollars, most of it to go into the city coffers to the General Fund - he must have felt there were cover-ups, and he was right. Most cities do not have a Mike Aguirre, just rubber stamps of councils.

Posted by San Marcos says, | reply to this comment
June 18, 2008 11:26 am

There are plenty of problems in the local Democratic organization that need fixing -- I would say endorsing City Attorney Mike Aguirre is the most immediate one -- but Jess Durfee has been remarkably pro-active in reviving an organization that had been virtually irrelevant and moribund. I am confident that Durfee is slowly rebuilding the County Democratic Party. Consequently, one day, we will have Democratic candidates who actually stand for something, as opposed to Democrats in Name Only (DINOs) who collapse and collaborate like those named on John McNab's list. Until that nirvana, maybe Durfee will review "Marie's" charges about using Republican hacks for fund-raisers and relying on people like Midge Costanza who seems to swing both ways.

Posted by Frances O'Neill Zimmerman | reply to this comment
June 18, 2008 11:30 am

We agree with BBH. Mr. Durfee will you be endorsing Mike Aguirre for City Attorney? Mr. Aguirre is a life long San Diego Democrat who serves the public good. He has made both the Democratic City Council and Republican Mayor Sanders follow the law. Mr. Aguirre has a strong following of Democratic neighborhood activists. He is a City-wide candidate and could help get other local Democrats elected, if you only let him lead.

Posted by La Playa Heritage | reply to this comment
June 18, 2008 12:38 pm

Durfee is the Mike McSweeney of the Democratic Party. Long on arrogance and self importance. Short on interest in serving the greater public good. The demos. need candidates that can energize the party and that will appeal to the growing independent/non-affi voter. Give the public more candidates like Frye, and less like Peters. That would be the easiest and cheapest way to some successful campaigns.

Posted by Torrey Pines | reply to this comment
June 18, 2008 1:13 pm

Reminds me of the fact that in the last quarter of 2007 radio station KLSD was getting middle ratings with virtually no advertising and now as a sports station practically no rating at all. So much for the Progressives ( and to an extent the Democratic Party) having any public voice or hearing some truth at all in America's Fiscal Pity.

Posted by Frank J | reply to this comment
June 18, 2008 2:46 pm

Fellow Democrats on June 3rd voted Jess Durfee off the County Central Committee in an effort to encourage new leadership. Durfee, acting as his own Supreme Court, essentially tells fellow Democrats that their votes don't matter and he will lobby to be appointed to the Commitee. We look pretty foolish if we complain that vote counts were not accurate in Florida yet accurate vote counts in San Diego don't matter.

Posted by (Re)do the math | reply to this comment
June 18, 2008 3:40 pm

I wrote to Mr. Durfee immediately after the SD primary elections and asked him how in the world the best democratic mayoral candidate we could come up with was Floyd Morrow (a fine gentleman and humanist - but not at all relevant to the many new young democratic voters who signed up during the presidential primaries). I received no reply from Mr. Durfee. My party depends far too much on labor union endorsements and that may well be a turn-off to many who are interested in reform and change. I also suggested to him that there are many positive known individuals who lead our City's non-profits and planning groups (e.g., San Diego Foundation for Change, Planned Parenthood, SOHO) who would be refreshing candidates for many of us disappointed democrats. We need a refresher course in organizing our party and promoting our candidates.

Posted by NorthParker | reply to this comment
June 18, 2008 4:06 pm

Hey Torrey Pines, if you live in District 1, you're in luck. Sherri Lightner made the run-off election with little or no help from the Democratic party... and she was running against two opponents who were willing and able to outspend her 5 times over! Of course, the Republican Party, the Lincoln Club, the Building Industry Association, the Association of Realtors, and just about every pro-business and pro-developer group is going to pump money into her opponent's campaign, while Ms. Lightner is still going to be relying on individual contributions from voters like you. The moral of the story is: if you want a candidate that serves the people--and not a powerful downtown lobby--contribute to their campaign, spread the word, and--most importantly--vote!

Posted by boomerite | reply to this comment
June 18, 2008 4:24 pm

I'm a Democrat who voted for Steve Francis because he seemed like the more progressive candidate out of the top two choices. Floyd Morrow just didn't seem like a credible candidate to me. I would hope that the Democrats don't endorse Mike Aguirre for reelection. He is a power hungry nut job who doesn't deserve to be relected. I voted for Scott Peters for City Attorney in the primary, but in November I will vote for his opponent. Another thing, I think for these nonpartisan local offices, people are willing to vote for someone of anther party as long as they seem competant and capable of doing a good job.

Posted by Chris | reply to this comment
June 18, 2008 4:25 pm

Democrats are in a very bad position in San Diego because unions, on whom Democrats have long relied, got much too close to Dick Murphy and his secretive pension deal. In San Diego today, Democrats can not be sure that union support will be beneficial. It certainly didn't do much good for Scott Peters. Ann Smith and Judie Italiano are a bit like the big-mouthed pastors that Barack Obama and John McCain are trying to separate themselves from. I think that MEA is an embarrassment to the Democratic party. Mike Aguirre, on the other hand, may be a wild and crazy guy, but he's fighting for open government and for the people. Quit taking orders from Judie and Ann. Endorse Mike!

Posted by Maura Larkins | reply to this comment
June 18, 2008 4:33 pm

I think one test of the Democratic Party will be with the SD School Board election. Richard Barrera (a good progressive) is unopposed to replace Luis Acle. Shelia Jackson is a shoe-in for re-election. The one race that will determine if the San Diego School Board has a progressive majority is John Lee Evans' bid to unseat loyal Republican Mitz Lee. I believe the Democratic Party has a chance to elect a great candidate at a time when the School Board is unpopular and everyone is concerned about the state of our schools. This is a great opportunity for the Democratic Party can do in a race that really matters.

Posted by progressive | reply to this comment
June 18, 2008 5:31 pm

As a Democrat,I find the former Chairman's observations,especia on District One to be very short-sighted and somewhat sophomoric. The current voter registration in D1 may slightly favor the conservatives however the last primary numbers count gave Ms Lightner a victory only because there was a contest between which of the consevative candidates the District voters: GOP,DTS&Independents felt was the most appropriate for the November run-off.Now that Thalheimer's family values and community track record have prevailed on that side of the primary and Mr Merrifield is expected to join ranks behind the people's choice it seems fair to expect that,irrespective,of what Mr Durfee may anticipate from his new cadres of volunteers,the voters of D1,of all stripes,will choose the best qualified,experience leader who,as Chris has said is"competent and capable of doing the job".Hopefully a person who has proven his willingness to represent all within the District not solely enclave La Jolla.

Posted by El Dragon | reply to this comment
June 18, 2008 7:39 pm

First, I would agree with Jess Durfee that the Voice seems to be getting lazy in getting quotes from a handful of people who enjoy being quoted even if they have nothing to say. Durfee seems to an outsider to have made significant progress in improving the relevance of the County Democratic Party. That is important as the Labor Council is struggling to redefine itself. Are they really going to endorse Goldsmith? Finally, the candidates in District 3 are both Democrats in name, only one is a Democrat in practice providing a clear choice between a progressive or a DINO.

Posted by Ian Trowbridge | reply to this comment
June 19, 2008 12:08 am

As a proud Democrat, I follow these races closely but not as a professional political expert. My concern is that after 8 disacterous years of Republican rule from the White House, local Democrats have not taken advantage of the public's distain for Republicans. I think it IS time for a change at the local Democratic Party. If Jess Durfee was voted off of the Central Committee, then he should NOT be appointed to keep his job. The mandate from the voters was for him to go, and if he is appointed and allowed to continue as Chairman, it ignores the will of the voters and, like Bush, continues a bad administration into yet another term. Please bring new leadership to our Party.

Posted by Janet Ryan | reply to this comment
June 19, 2008 8:10 am

First of all, the original story written by Mr. Washburn is terribly biased and left leaning. Mr. Washburn obviously wants a coup of the left. His article clearly indicates that the Voice is a rag for the progressives in this city. Second, city politics is supposed to be non-partisan yet I have never seen such a partisan city election cycle as I have over the last year. This does a disservice, more than this article, to the citizens of this great city. The citizens want to pay fair taxes for the services they receive and want potholes fixed, crimes solved, and water to come out of their faucet. Lallygagging around with silly partisan issues fails this city on so many levels.

Posted by District 5 Voter | reply to this comment
June 19, 2008 8:50 am

Planned Parenthood is in no way a positive organization in our community. It seeks to dismantle the very fabric our society by destroying the family. Contrary to its name, it encourages abortions, not true family planning. The only way it exists is by making money off abortions. The more abortions it performs, the more money it makes for its investors and board. Without true families and programs that encourage and further their existence, not destroy them, our city and nation will cease to exist. I can't wait until the no-growthers no-growth themselves out of existence.

Posted by Dear North Parker | reply to this comment
June 19, 2008 9:09 am

Thank you Jess for your diligence, and thank you for embracing the grassroots. I know how hard you have worked to help our party organize, and I remember what it was like locally in 2004. I am glad that San Diego finally has representation in the DNC. I am proud of you!

Posted by Judy | reply to this comment
June 19, 2008 10:28 am

Planned Parenthood is far more socially progressive than the troglodytes who promote ignorance as a way to achieve family planning, birth control and much of everything else the backward fascist wing of the GOP strives for. As for families, the best families are the ones that have enough members without straining the resources available to them. Poverty never helps, 24, and when you and your arrogant kind become willing to adopt the excess offspring, use taxes effectively for child rearing, education, support and furtherance of opportunity and provide intelligent health care for all, let us know. We can all celebrate then. Til that day comes, many will suffer for your obstructionist, misguided and mythology based interference. Have a nice day pretending you have morals.

Posted by 24's full of it | reply to this comment
June 19, 2008 11:19 am

"Dear North Parker" has made outrageous comments about Planned Parenthood, but in a way, it helps the pro-choice movement that our opponents rely on obvious falsehoods to make any argument at all. Contrary to the assertions, 93% of Planned Parenthood's patient-visits are about preventing the need for abortion through contraception, education, and other services. Simply put, no organization in San Diego does more to prevent unintended pregnancy, and in doing so, reduces the need for abortion. We are proud to provide free or low cost abortion and family planning services to anyone, regardless of their ability to pay. As a 501(c)3 non-profit organization we do not have "investors." Rather than fabricate spurious claims about Planned Parenthood, our opponents should be honest and proclaim their opposition to all abortion and contraception. Such honesty would be isolating for them and refreshing for us.

Posted by Vince Hall | reply to this comment
June 19, 2008 1:52 pm

Jess Durfee is an outstanding leader. The reason Jess Durfee was not re-elected to the Central Committee was because voters did not educate themselves about the race. The average voter, which is no one reading this blog - doesn't even know what a Central Committee does. As Chair of the San Diego County Democratic Party since 2004, Jess Durfee is working to turn America's 6th-largest county from red to blue. Under his leadership, the County Party has built a full-time staff of three to implement its strategic plan, including aggressive voter registration, year-round precinct organizing, candidate development, and mass communications. A leader in his labor union during his career as a classroom teacher, Jess was President of the San Diego Democratic Club prior to running for County Central Committee. He has served eight years on the CDP Executive Board and is currently Co-Chair.

Posted by Obama all the Way | reply to this comment
June 19, 2008 2:52 pm

Jess Durfee should resign and go away. Afterall the voters in his area spoke and he came in 7th and so has lost his spot as an elected member of the party. I'm sure he'll pull off an appointment. Under his rule, the party has become the "we love Francine Busby committee", hitching its star to a two time loser who's own ego threatens to join his and swamp all in their way. I hope their pitiful GO efforts eventually do succeed, but it will take the effort of candidates themselves to get elected. The party is as much of a mess as it has always been. It is better that they continue to ignore the north county.

Posted by Up in the North County | reply to this comment
June 19, 2008 3:27 pm

To Obama: I agree with you that voters usually don't know squat about the candidates for Central Committee. I think Jess has done a lot of good, but now I see more clearly how he has gone astray. Teacher culture is the bane of many a school, and teacher unions are not the same as labor unions. Jess must have become immersed in teacher culture in order to rise in the union. (The same is true of those who become school district administrators.) The best teachers tend to avoid unhealthy high-school-style teacher politics. Sadly, leaders of local teacher union affiliates, such as Scott McVarish of Long Beach and Gina Boyd and Jim Groth of Chula Vista, too often lose track of their goals.

Posted by Maura Larkins | reply to this comment
June 19, 2008 5:41 pm

I love it when you said that Durfee was not reelected to the Democratic Committee was because "voters did not educate themselves about the race" What arroogance! It was only registered Democrats that voted to dump Jess Durfee. Some of you guys just don't get it. Don't blame the voters because you didn't like the election results.

Posted by To: #28 Obama all the Way | reply to this comment
June 20, 2008 12:11 pm

As a life long and proud Democrat I urge the party not to endorse Aguirre. He is a nut and a loose cannon. In fact, Aguirre is a Democrat in name only. He certainly doesn't act like one. He should be a Libertarian. Don't vote Aguirre just because he has a D next to his name. It stands for Dillweed!

Posted by Steve | reply to this comment
June 21, 2008 8:44 pm

As a lifelong and proud Democrat, I urge the party not to take orders from former mayor Dick Murphy's good friends Ann Smith and Judie Italiano. Once these two leave MEA, then the union can once again be considered a friend to Democrats. Right now, the MEA supports secretive government by-and-for the well-connected, crushes dissent within its ranks, and is a disgrace to the Democratic Party.

Posted by Maura Larkins | reply to this comment
June 23, 2008 6:35 pm

The Democrats Are Here

By Jess Durfee, San Diego