Three-Party Debate for Ohio Secretary of State

Posted on by October 6, 2010
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On October 5, the three candidates for Ohio Secretary of State debated each other.  See this story.  The three candidates are Democrat Maryellen O’Shaughnessy, Republican Jon Husted, and Libertarian Charlie Earl.  Ballot Access News has been tracking debate inclusion starting in 1994, and this is the first time any Ohio debate for statewide office has included both major party nominees along with any minor party or independent candidate in a debate, except for the special election for Attorney General in 2008.  Thanks to Kevin Knedler for the link.

Ohio will hold another three-party debate on October 6, for the three candidates for Auditor.

Survey USA Poll Shows Big “Other” Vote in California

Posted on by October 5, 2010
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On October 4, SurveyUSA published a poll for three California statewide contests:  Governor, U.S. Senator, Lieutenant Governor.  The poll shows Democrats leading all three contests, and a significant “other” percentage, especially for Lieutenant Governor.

For Governor, the poll shows:  Jerry Brown, Democrat, 47%; Meg Whitman, Republican, 43%, “other” 8%, undecided 2%.

For U.S. Senator, Barbara Boxer, Democrat, 46%; Carly Fiorina, Republican, 43%; “other” 9%, undecided 2%.

For Lieutenant Governor, Gavin Newsom, Democrat, 42%; Abel Maldonado, Republican 37%; “other” 19%; undecided 3%.

UPDATE:  a David Binder poll for Attorney General, released October 6, also shows a big vote for minor party nominees for Attorney General.  See that story here.  It shows Kamala Harris, Democrat, 30%; Steve Cooley, Republican, 27%; a minor party nominee 11%; undecided 32%.

Two Green Party Members are Still in the Running for the California Citizens Redistricting Commission

Posted on by October 5, 2010
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The California Citizens Redistricting Commission will draw the boundaries for state legislative districts, after the 2010 census data is available (unless the voters vote for a ballot measure next month, Proposition 27, that would abolish the Commission).  The Commission will have 5 registered Democrats, 5 registered Republicans, and 4 members who are neither.  The process by which the membership of the Commission will be chosen is almost finished.  At this point there are 60 California voters who are still in contention to be on the Commission.  They include two registered members of the Green Party, 18 independents, 20 Republicans, and 20 Democrats.

The two Greens are Teresa Espana of Fresno County, and Stuart Flashman of Alameda County.  Thanks to Mike Feinstein for this news.

Lenora Fulani Seems to Endorse Charles Barron, Freedom Party Nominee for New York Governor

Posted on by October 5, 2010
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New York city councilmember Charles Barron is running for Governor of New York on the Freedom Party ticket.  Although he is a registered Democrat, he and the Freedom Party are unhappy that no statewide nominee of the Democratic Party this year is non-white.  Barron represents the 42nd district in Brooklyn, and when he was young, in 1969, he was an activist in the Black Panther Party.  Here is his official city web page.  He doesn’t seem to have a campaign web page.

On October 5, Lenora Fulani held a press conference to express her opinion about the New York gubernatorial race.  She said, “I welcome Charles Barron’s entry into independent politics and his bid to create the Freedom Party.  And I want to urge the Harlem community, together with independent-minded people across this state, to help the Freedom Party get the 50,000 votes needed for ballot status.”

The other nominees of the Freedom Party this year are Ramon Jimenez for Attorney General, and Eva Doyle for Lieutenant Governor.  Former New York city Mayor David Dinkins has said that Charles Barron should be allowed into this year’s gubernatorial debates.  Thanks to Nancy Hanks for this news.