In this
well-written article by respected VC Star reporter Timm Herdt, the politics of a recent oil-drilling deal is vetted for the effect it has had on the State Assembly race. Based on the State Lands Commission decision, Santa Barbara City Council Member Das Williams has found a possible entry into the race to replace Assembly Member Pedro Nava. Susan Jordan, who happens to be Nava's wife and has worked for private nonprofit coastal advocacy groups, is running as well. Their opposing views on the issue has created the ground upon which a Democratic candidate that wins the primary, wins the general election because of the party registration in the district.
Ventura will be the battle ground in this race and this is reflected in the article. Jordan makes perhaps too much of her leadership in stopping a proposed liquefied natural gas terminal off of Oxnard. Williams, whom many remember as making much of his youth in Isla Vista during the last Supervisorial race, says: “I feel most at home right there at Surfer’s Point.”
Before any of our hyperbole-laced readers get too crazy with that statement, Williams did spend time in both cities during his youth and has worked extensively in Santa Barbara and Ventura since. It is a fair statement. Both of their statements, however, point to how important Ventura will be in that race. Other candidiates might include Ventura City Councilman Bill Fulton and long-time Ventura County Democratic Party activist Irene Henry.
Labels: 35th Assembly Race, Das Williams, Susan Jordan
