The Napa Valley Register, a daily newspaper in Napa, California, has this editorial opposing Proposition 14, the top-two ballot measure on the June 8, 2010 ballot. Thanks to Jeff Trigg for the link.
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On May 18, the 9th circuit lifted a stay that had been imposed by a U.S. District Court, so that now political parties may make unlimited donations to candidates for city office in San Diego. The case is Thalheimer v City of San Diego, 10-55322. See this story.
San Diego has had a city ordinance since 1973, making it illegal for political parties to make donations to candidates for city office. All city and county elections in California are non-partisan. A U.S. District Court had struck down that ban on February 16, 2010, but had stayed its own ruling while the city appealed. The city is free to impose a contribution limit on political party donations, and in fact had recently passed such a cap (in response to the court decision). But the city cap on donations doesn’t go into effect until late June, so in the meantime there is no restriction.
On the evening of May 18, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger held a fundraiser for Proposition 14, the top-two ballot measure, at his home in the Brentwood section of Los Angeles. Ten minor party activists demonstrated outside, with large signs and leaflets. Passersby were friendly, including some of the incoming guests. Relations with the police were friendly and relaxed. It is to be hoped that some of the guests (each of whom paid $50,000 to have dinner with the Governor and his wife) asked the Governor about how Proposition 14 affects minor party members and candidates.
Reporters from Fox and AP interviewed some of the protesters.
Arkansas held its primaries on May 18. Richard Carroll was defeated for re-election in the Democratic primary, for State House, 39th district. Carroll had been elected as a Green Party legislator in 2008, but after the 2009 legislative session had ended, he had switched from the Green Party to the Democratic Party.
The vote in the May 18, 2010 primary was 19.7% for Carroll, and 80.3% for Tracy Steele, who is an incumbent State Senator. Steele can’t run for re-election to the Senate because he is term-limited. The 2010 race was tough for Carroll, because the district is majority black, and Senator Steele is black, but Carroll is white, although his wife is black.
On May 18, Pennsylvania held a special election to fill the vacant U.S. House seat, 12th district. It was vacant because the incumbent, John Murtha, had died earlier this year.
The results: Democratic 53.4%, Republican 44.3%, Libertarian 2.3%. The results in November 2008 had been Democratic 57.9%, Republican 42.1%. This district had not had a minor party or independent candidate on the ballot since 2000, when the Reform Party ran in this district and got 1.6%.