It is good to see my stature is intact with all the folks in the education establishment.
Article in today's Statesman Journal about the fact that only one candidate has filed to run against Susan Castillo for State Superintendent.
John Marshall, a lobbyist for the Oregon School Boards Association, was quoted in the article by way of explaining the absence of candidates. He said:
"I think of the race of four years ago, when a relatively credible Rob Kremer ran against her and couldn't even force a runoff."
High praise indeed. Relative to whom, I wonder?
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If we cannot confine candidate elections to the general election calendar, here's an idea of how to deal with this problem: A variation of the "double majority" hurdle that has successfully curbed the practice of seeking local levies at low-turnout elections.
Here, winners would need 50% + 1 of the votes in an election with 50% + 1 turnout of registered voters. If no one wins, the office remains vacant and the election is re-run in say, 60-90 days or at the next general (November) election, perhaps disqualifying the incumbent from the follow-up(s).
That outcome couldn't be worse than what we have now. It would ensure a minimum level of voter turnout for candidate elections and allow primaries with incumbents to have the effect of a "retention" referendum.
Ramon
Isn't anyone who files a PAC and attempts to campaign a "credible candidate" in a democracy?
Just a thought.
I voted for you though, couldn't believe we didn't have a 51% or better conservative turnout for that primary either. You and Bunn are both credible statewide candidates (probably more credible than Castillo who is a little urban-centric).
There is no question that it is difficult (actually, I think near impossible) for a true reformer to win the Sup't position, given the electoral math involved with off-year low turout primaries.
I found it out the hard way. The ed establishment and union bloc is insurmountable when only 700,000 or so people vote.
Ramon I like the double majority idea. It sure would have helped me!
Gus, I think you meant Benton, LANE and Multnomah (not Linn).
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