Press

Chair cites Maldonado, Mettee-McCutchon campaigns as part of a well-established pattern of deception

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MONTEREY, CA, May 27, 2008 - Monterey County Democratic Party Chair Vinz Koller today issued a call for Monterey County Republicans to stop trying to mislead voters in the state Senate and county supervisor campaigns. "Voters don't mind vigorous debate of the issues, but they expect candidates and elected officials to respect the truth - and people's intelligence," said Koller. "Unfortunately, local Republicans keep letting voters down."

Koller cited examples from recent and previous campaigns that show a historical pattern of deception by local Republicans and their political director, Brandon Gesicki. "They're following the same recipes over and over again," said Koller.

The Examples:

1. Recently, the Ila Mettee-McCutchon campaign, led by Gesicki, put out a mail piece with an archival photograph of Ms. Mettee-McCutchon shaking hands with former President Bill Clinton, under a caption claiming that Democratic leaders endorse her for supervisor. None of the people or organizations listed on the mailer are involved with or leaders of the Democratic Party. The photo with Bill Clinton dates from 1995, when Mettee-McCutchon was in the US Army. "It's almost embarrassing," said Koller. "I think voters can guess that presidents don't usually endorse county supervisor candidates."

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MONTEREY, CA, May 22, 2008 - The Monterey County Democratic Party has endorsed attorney Dennis Morris as write-in candidate in the Democratic primary for the 15th District State Senate seat.

Morris, who announced his candidacy in San Luis Obispo yesterday, has also received the endorsement of the San Luis Obispo Democratic Party.

Morris currently resides in Pismo Beach, where he runs a small winery. He recently worked for the Superior Court of Merced as Court Staff Attorney, helping increase the efficiency of the courts, and developing an early mediation program. Morris's public service to the Merced courts inspired him in his current run for the state Senate.

Morris's priorities include improving public education, protecting the environment and developing a state budget process that is equitable to all taxpayers.

"We believe that Dennis Morris shares our Democratic values. He will be able to work with other Democrats in Sacramento to solve the budget deficit without hurting vulnerable Californians," said Democratic Party Chair Vinz Koller.

Republican incumbent Abel Maldonado has taken the unusual step of filing to run as a write-in candidate in the Democratic primary.

"In a year when being a Republican is highly unpopular, Maldonado seems to want to have it both ways by appearing as a Republican and a Democrat on the ballot," said Koller. "We don't think voters are that easily duped. We have more faith in the electorate. They will know that Dennis Morris is the real Democrat."

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MONTEREY, CA, May 8, 2008 - The Chair of the Monterey County Democratic Central Committee issued the following statement today:

We have concluded our review of the election results on behalf of a group of Carmel residents and we have established that the error in the ballot design did affect the election result, denying a victory to the council challenger, Michael LePage. Our review shows that at least 25 voters would have voted only for Mr. LePage had they known that this was legal. Mr. LePage lost by 22 votes.

This evidence bolsters our preliminary analysis which showed that poll voters who had the benefit of the city's ballot correction notice were significantly more likely to vote for the single challenger in the three-way council race. Absentee voters (more than half of whom were unaware of the ballot design flaw) favored the appointed incumbents.

The injured parties in this case are not just Mr. LePage, but the voters of Carmel, who need to know they can rely on accurate information from the city and who need to be able to have confidence in the election process.

The Monterey County Democratic Party has assisted Carmel voters in considering legal action seeking to have the results overturned in court. As the facts are clear, we are confident we would prevail.

However, in consulting with Mr. LePage and his supporters we have been influenced by the following considerations:

• The City of Carmel would incur significant expenses disputing our suit.

MONTEREY, CA - April 26, 2008 - San Francisco Mayor - and rising Democratic star - Gavin Newsom will headline the first Annual Jefferson Jackson Dinner of the Monterey County Democratic Party.

Officiating at the event will be former Congressman and White House Chief of Staff Leon Panetta. Panetta will be joined by special guests Congressman Sam Farr, Assemblymembers Anna Caballero and John Laird, and other dignitaries.

Gavin Newsom is San Francisco's youngest mayor in 100 years, and has brought fresh ideas and renewed energy to the City and County of San Francisco. He has earned a reputation as an innovator on issues ranging from homelessness to the environment, from healthcare to education.

The Monterey County Democratic Party has become one of the most active county Democratic organizations in the state. It was recently recognized for its organizing prowess with a Regional Director's Award at the California Democratic Convention in San Jose.

The Monterey County Democratic Party Annual Dinner will be the largest gathering of Democrats on the Central Coast of California in 2008.

The event takes place May 17 at the Monterey Grand Ballroom of the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Monterey. Click here for a map.

Social Hour begins at 6:15 and the Dinner starts at 7:00 pm.
Tickets are available at http://montereycountydemocrats.org/jefferson-jackson.

More on Mayor Gavin Newsom:

http://www.sfgov.org/site/mayor_index.asp?id=22014