And Now for Something Completely Different: Jackson versus Dantona

The Ventura County Star reported Tuesday that Hannah-Beth Jackson was set to announce her candidacy Wednesday for California’s District 19 Senate seat.

 

A Jackson announcement, said to be scheduled for Mound Elementary in Ventura, would mean that Jim Dantona, who declared his candidacy months ago, would have company in his quest for the Democratic nomination.

 

The winner of the primary will be pitted against Republican Tony Strickland, the only candidate so far for his party’s nomination.

 

News of Jackson’s impending announcement kicked off a fierce debate on Brian Dennert’s blog, which has a good readership of both parties.

 

The question of whether Jackson’s announcement would make Democrats weaker in the district was widely discussed.

 

“Democrats aren’t afraid of a little competition,” wrote Laura Winchester. “I’m looking forward to a spirited competition.”

 

Heather Schmidt, who recently stepped down as president of the Young Progressive Democrats of Ventura County, wrote, “I look forward to a fair primary and hope that at the end the Dems can unite to take down the Strickland-machine.”

 

Republicans, predictably, were less generous. Most hoped that Jackson’s entering the race would divide the Democratic vote.

 

News of Jackson’s announcement came just before Dantona’s big fundraiser on Thursday. Donors will be able to rub shoulders with former Maryland Lt. Governor Kathleen Kennedy Townsend and California Senate President Pro Tempore Don Perata.

 

This lucky blogger was among those invited to come and report on the event. Check back here Friday for the scoop.

 

 

Hannah-Beth Jackson to Announce Candidacy Wednesday in State Senate Race

Blogger Brian Dennert reports that former state assemblywoman Hannah-Beth Jackson plans to announce her candidacy tomorrow for the California State Senate District 19 seat being vacated by Republican Tom McClintock.

 

Dennert wrote that Jackson will make her announcement Wednesday at 11 a.m. at Mound Elementary School in Ventura.

 

The announcement comes right before Jim Dantona’s fundraiser, which is taking place Thursday.

 

The guest list, according once again to Dennert, who received an invitation to the event, includes former Maryland Lt. Governor Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, and California Senate President Pro Tempore Don Perata.

 

It is clear that Democratic heavy-hitters are strongly behind Dantona in this race. Will Jackson’s entry into the race rain on Dantona’s parade?

 

It depends, I think, on how Jackson positions herself.

 

District 19 has a narrowing gap between Republicans and Democrats, 40.71% of people support the GOP, whereas 36.09% support Democrats. If Democrats can turn out the vote, especially if Republicans are as unmotivated as they seem now, the Democratic nominee has a good chance of winning the Senate seat.

 

But if Jackson is seen as too liberal in this conservative district, she will not win. Dantona seems to be the most moderate of the two. Neither Jackson nor Dantona have had much coverage in the press lately. This will likely change in the near future.

 

Dantona told the VC Reporter in a September 13 cover story that his main issues include jobs, education, and healthcare. He supports labor and opposes the war in Iraq.

 

This is all very sensible.

 

In the same article, Jackson outlined her primary issues: “I would be running on the basis of my past record, the issues I feel very deeply about, which include reforming our healthcare system, which is in desperate need of reform, protecting the environment, protecting public health, public education. I have a long track record of working with local law enforcement in issues of public safety.”

 

Also very sensible.

 

How is a Democrat to make up his or her mind? The answer, I suppose is that we wait and see. We get the candidates to spell out their positions more clearly. Maybe we’ll even get a debate.

 

Stranger things have happened.

 

Mound Elementary is located at 455 South Hill Road in Ventura. The school’s website does not list the event, and there is no indication as to whether it is open to the public, but if you would like to attend, you should call the school first. The school’s phone number is 805-289-1886.