How Venice Voted: He’s Not Our Governor – Venice Rejects Schwarzenegger


By Jim Smith
There were six candidates in the Nov. 7 election who had some relationship to Venice. While Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger never actually lived here, he did work out at Gold’s Gym on Pacific, and owns property in Venice. Newly elected Secretary of State Debra Bowen lives in Venice, although she claims to live in Marina del Rey (as do other south-of-Washington residents).

Two State Assembly candidates, Karl Abrams and Peter Thottam, also live in Venice, as do two Congressional candidates, incumbent Jane Harman and me.
Apparently, Venetians don’t feel much kinship with Gov. Arnold who was soundly trounced by Phil Angelides, 64% to 26%. At the same time, Schwarzenegger won statewide with 56% of the vote.
Oxford Triangle resident Debra Bowen, who was once the lawyer for the Venice Town Council, eked out a statewide victory by three percentage points over incumbent Bruce McPherson. But in Venice she finished 65 percentage points ahead of her main opponent.
It was a year in which the desire of voters to change Congress seemed to benefit Democrats no matter what office they sought (except for hapless Phil Angelides).
This trend worked against underfunded third-party candidates. Green candidate for Governor, Peter Camejo, received only five percent in Venice, less votes than there are Green registrants. Together, Karl Abrams (Peace & Freedom) and Peter Thottam (Green) racked up 10 percent of the Assembly vote in Venice. I got 8 percent running against Jane Harman, the richest member of Congress, and took solace in beating the Republican in nine Venice precincts. My best showing - 13% - was in the Canals, of all places!
It may sound like sour grapes, but I have to say the election was far from fair or democratic. When one candidate is allowed to spend in excess of a million dollars and is given massive amounts of free media time, the outcome is not in doubt. Of course, most third-party candidates don’t expect to win, but they do expect a fair hearing in the media and from voters.

Posted: Mon - January 1, 2007 at 03:13 PM          


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