After Deadline: What's the future hold for Villalobos?
My favorite image in today’s paper is Bart Ah You’s shot of Modesto City Schools candidate Ruben Villalobos awaiting returns with former City Councilman Balvino Irizarry and business owner Jeremiah Williams.
I’ve been struck in recent weeks by the support Villalobos has picked up from places like the Modesto Police Officers Association. It begs the question, why would MPOA get involved in a school board race? The rumor mill last summer held that Villalobos was going to run for a City Council seat but didn’t quite live in the boundaries for the chair he was eyeing. I never asked him about it so I wouldn’t know. Tongues were wagging in his favor. It seems to me that a lot of people have high hopes that he’ll emerge as a somewhat left-leaning leader for years to come, whether that’s on the school board or a different body.
And that brings me to Tuesday’s City Council race. The labor/left of center support Villalobos received was there for someone in the council’s District 2, which represents south and west Modesto. Al Nava was not able to grab that base, which opened the door for more conservative Dave Geer’s win. That Democratic base is definitely there, and perhaps someone who can mobilize those voters will emerge in 2013, the next time District 2 gets to choose a candidate. By then, the city will have new council district boundaries based on the 2010 census. I’d wager the district will have a greater Latino majority by then because one or two of these unincorporated islands ought to be annexed by then.
I’ve noticed that some bloggers here tend to be critical of the conservative parties that prepare candidates to move up the line in political offices. From what I’ve seen, it works. Most of the council members I covered over three years on the city beat worked their way up from advisory commissions, like the Community Qualities Forum and the Planning Commission. That tells me that left of center parties in Stanislaus County might want to start building a pipeline to the council and the Board of Supervisors from appointed commissions, which would help the up and comers gain experience and knowledge about how local government works.
- AA
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Good points, After Deadline
The information you conveyed about Ruben previously wanting to run for City Council but couldn't due to his residence in another district - I've heard the same thing.
It's also interesting that Ruben raised the most amount of money, said and did the right things, garnered the support of the Modesto Teachers Association, got his message out there a lot, and represented himself well. He clearly had a mountain of support out there. He's achieved a lot as a mid-30s young professional.
Kudos to Ruben for running a good campaign - and to Sue Zwahlen for her positive campaign. We've got some good school board members that got elected in Ruben and Sue Zwahlen, as well as reelected trustees Cindy Marks and Nancy Cline. As I recall, Nancy came in fourth place four years ago but apparently resonated with voters again this year.
A_D
Now that the election is over would you care to weigh in on who in the council might have conflicts of interest?
You had concerns about Gerrad Marshand his potential mayoral campaign, but others would seem to have many more potential conflicts of interest.
Anything you'd care to share?
What's interesting, TS
is that Wayne 08 accuses even Dave Lopez, who's only been on the City Council since Dec. 2007. Is there anyone on the Modesto City Council or Board of Supervisors that isn't a shill these days? It seems rather en vogue nowadays to become a "shill".
Dave Lopez is interesting to talk to
he has a different set of priorities than most of the others. Except to be re-elected of course...:) Nothing wrong with that.
Re: Council Member Marsh
Not to go too off topic here, but if Council Member Marsh decides to run for mayor, as does Council Members Keating and Hawn, can you imagine the type of mayoral race that would be???
Wow, is what comes to my mind.
Handicapping that race would be fun
as would trying to identify the stable owners so to speak...:)
@TS
Heck yeah. Can you just imagine the type of speeches/debates Council Member Keating would give? I think we all know she can be very condescending towards Staff, members of the public, etc. But who knows, I could see that race being pretty civil between the three.
Running for Mayor 101....I can hear it now.
But yes, handicapping that race would be very interesting.
Civil?..After what we just saw?
Maybe you're right...but would you be willing to take a little action on it...:)
303 no reason to focus on wayne
My opinions often differ from other HIVE members, I backed Stanford in the race and would do it again.
So turn your attention to the topics of the blogs and away from me.
Thanks in advance.
@TS
Yeah, I think it will be civil. I mean, in all honesty, the race that just ended was pretty civil between the Candidates themselves, with only two candidates using name calling, etc. :) But all in all, it was pretty mellow....in my opinion anyway.
With those three in the race for the Mayor's seat, I'll throw a little action on that any day of the week.
mtber
I thought Keating was out as a result of district elections - in fact, I thought she couldn't run again for mayor but I guess I'm wrong. Hawn has served since 2003 - 2007 and now 2007-2011. He's running for sure. Haven't heard about Keating running again - she's doing consulting work right now.
My bets are on Hawn winning it. He can present an articulate message and get people to support him financially.
I can't believe Keating would seriously run for mayor
No way, but, isn't she slightly retarded or something like that?
What if she did?
Wouldn't it be great to have a woman as Mayor.
Denial ain't just a river in Egypt
@Curious
If I understand correctly, Keating can run for Mayor because it is a City-wide election. She's termed out as a Council Member for sure (her and Hawn are in the same District I believe), but I believe she can run for Mayor if she chooses to.
One thing I do know for sure, if they all three choose to run, it will be an interesting race.
Right Mtber...
Term limits are for positions only. When it gets closre I'll take you up on that action offer...:)
Keating could run for council again
We seem to be dancing
around the conflict of interest question.
If Marsh equals conflicts doesn't Muratore equal them too
hmmm
Thanks AD
I'm wondering how much support there would be for a woman running for Mayor. I think it's a great idea! Is she considering it?
Denial ain't just a river in Egypt
Hoping to find some pictures to post?
on the slimesider
TS
What about Buildings Muratore manages and controls...
wouldn't those count too?
And of course the commercial projects
Muratore and Swelha are involved in.
We'll have to see
If you own property you can't vote on projects within 500'
of the property. I wonder if that would include property you control?