Neal Latt of Eureka asked that the Democratic Central Committee be allowed to go through the process of endorsement. Opinion of registered Democrats was nearly evenly split as the Central Committee considered making an official endorsement of District Attorney Paul Gallegos in his bid for re-election. Katie O’Neill/The Eureka Reporter
Democrats divided on District Attorney endorsement; no decision by press time
The Eureka Reporter
by Rebecca S. Bender, 4/13/2006
Local Democrats were divided just about evenly last night as the Humboldt County Democratic Central Committee weighed the decision to endorse District
Attorney Paul Gallegos in his bid for re-election.
The recommendation to endorse Gallegos came from the Committee on
Campaign Services, which committee member Greg Conners said had entertained “intense discussion” on the issue.
“I would like to refute the notion that the Democratic Central Committee hasn’t done its homework on this one,” he emphasized.
The meeting room in Democratic Central Headquarters was full to overflowing, and a live video feed was set up in a second room to accommodate the additional attendees.
Though the source of the higher-than-usual head count was near the end of the agenda, under old business, registered Democrats not on the committee were invited to speak as the meeting began.
Opinion appeared to be split between those who wanted to throw their weight as a group behind Gallegos, and those who were disheartened by the discord the issue was raising.
“This has caused a lot of division and concern in our party,” said Ken Bareilles.
“And we don’t need that.”
He said that he personally supported Gallegos’ opponent Worth Dikeman, but he was more concerned with the process by which the committee had reached its decision.
“Who was contacted? What was the basis for the recommendation?” he asked.
“Who was the source of the information that gave the central committee the basis and the foundation for the recommendation?”
Dikeman’s brother-in-law Darrell Johnson urged the party to avoid putting its name behind a candidate altogether.
“Don’t endorse anybody,” he suggested. “We’re not the party that says we’re going to tell you what to believe.”
Gallegos has been endorsed by many local individual Democrats, including most recently Assemblywoman Patty Berg.
Dikeman has publicly criticized the endorsements as polarizing and the product of political bias.
Bill Bragg, a criminal defense attorney, worried that the endorsement could detract attention from the issues, leading residents to vote based on the names listed behind a candidate rather than on the substantive record.
“I don’t support either one of ’em right now,” he said. “I’m interested in a completely fair and open debate.”
Endorsement supporters spoke simply, praising Gallegos’ record in office.
“I urge you to do the right thing and represent the Democrats of Humboldt County,” said Chuck Powell.
Ernie Behm, secretary and treasurer of the Labor Council of Humboldt and Del
Norte Counties, observed that the Central Labor Council and Building Trades
Council have both endorsed Gallegos.
Former Arcata Mayor Bob Ornelas, who converted to the Democratic Party about a week ago after a 17-year stint as a Green Party member, described the shift in his allegiance as directly related to the help and support local Democrats have always provided.
“The future of Humboldt County lies with the Democrats,” he said.
Though he hadn’t intended to speak to the endorsement issue, he added, “If you decide that Paul Gallegos is your man, that’s good.”
No decision had been reached by press time.
Copyright (C) 2005, The Eureka Reporter. All rights reserved.
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