“That feeling lasts for about a month, until someone calls you a soulless miser or a bleeding-heart lunatic.”
“You’re just a ray of sunshine, do you know that?”
“It’s one of my gifts. Moving on to business, don’t forget you have the Select Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship this afternoon, and Higher Education meets tomorrow at 9 a.m.”
“Got it.”
“Do you know how you’re voting on SB 427 and AB 126?”
As Jim left the chamber to return to his office, he pulled out his cheat sheet on the bills to see which was which. The senate bill was aimed at extending additional benefits to college students who had spent time in the foster care system. The assembly bill was a more expansive measure on social services for low-income families.
“Well, since SB 427 is revenue neutral, it’s easy to vote yea there, but AB 126 will give funding for undocumented immigrants as well as citizens, and I know that won’t play well with some of our constituents back home.”
“As you know, the Assemblywoman was wrestling with that one when it was first introduced. She didn’t want to hurt families trying to survive, but she didn’t want to reward people who had jumped the line in front others who were following the rules.”
“Yeah, it’s a tough call. Any suggestions?”
“Well, since it’s a spending bill, if you vote ‘no’ it will not pass. Maybe you could abstain.”
“I don’t think so. I’m not going to chicken out on the most important bill we’re voting on this week. It’s a bad bill because it’s over broad. Washington may be fighting over its approach on immigration, but that doesn’t mean we need to. I’ll vote no and then maybe we can work on something that addresses both problems.”
“If you become a lightning rod on this issue, you might not be in Sacramento long enough to worry about that.”
“Well, I figure you’ll know how to spin it so it won’t hurt us too badly.”
“Thanks for the vote of confidence.”
“Hey, I could be asking you about whether I should back SB 290.”
Brian chortled. “California secession? Are you crazy? Do you want to give me a heart attack right now?”
“Nah, but I like messing with you from time to time.”
“I could go work for the other side, you know?”
“You could, but you’d never do that. You like the whole ‘underdog’ thing too much. Besides, I know you’re at least a little impressed I knew what SB 290 even was.”
“Maybe,” Brian acknowledged, “but only just a little.”
7
When Jim pulled up to the reserved parking spot at the Walden Event Center that Friday afternoon, he was momentarily worried that his Foothill University parking sticker was nowhere to be found.
That’s because you don’t work here anymore.
Chalking the memory slip-up to pre-debate nerves, Jim collected his things and headed for the entrance. He found Brian by the front door checking his phone with one hand, as his other arm was still in a sling.
“How’s the arm?”
“The pain is what it is, but I get this harness off next week.” He looked back at his phone. “We’re up five points in the most recent poll, but people still have reservations about your lack of experience.” Brian scrolled through the results. “On the plus side, you’re doing really well on the ‘shares our values’ question, and people like that you are a registered independent.”
“Which I have been since I first started working with the Courier almost 20 years ago. I guess that was very forward thinking of me.”
Brian’s grin was more grimace than smile. “Remember that sarcasm is like fine wine or good chocolate, a little goes a long way and should not be wasted on those who won’t appreciate it.”
“I thought you liked my jokes.”
“I do. They may not.” Brian nodded to the door.
“Got it.”
As the two entered the multipurpose center, they were greeted by Political Science Professor Frank Holland. “Good to see you, Assemblyman, Brian.”
Jim rolled his eyes. “Frank, we worked together for six years. You can call me Jim.”
“You sure? Most people would want me to use their title.”
“You know I’m a member of the Assembly, and I’m sure you’ll remind everyone in the audience of that fact, so I don't really care. Besides, I’ve been on the job for less than a month, so if I insist on everyone calling me Assemblyman whenever I turn around, it'll look like I’m pretending to have more experience than I really do.”
“Very clever. You’re using the truth as a tactic.”
“No, I’m using the truth as the truth. The fact that it helps me tactically is a secondary benefit.”
Holland put his hand up and leaned over to Brian to talk in a stage whisper. “Does he know he’s never going to win by being worried about truth over strategy?”
“I keep telling him that,” Brian said.
Rebecca came up as Holland left to talk to the other two candidates. Only 20 minutes remained before the event, and most of the 200 seats on the floor were filled. Spaces on the side bleachers were disappearing as well.
“We’re trending pretty well on Facebook and Twitter and, since the university is live streaming the event, I’m betting we reach three times as many people online as will be here tonight.”
Brian’s eyebrows raised. “You sure you don’t want a job in politics? You’re pretty good at this.”
“Thanks for the compliment, but I like psychology just fine. Besides, I only believe in working for someone I believe in, and politics doesn’t quite work that way, does it?”
“No, it does not.”
_____
When Jim took the stage, he proceeded toward the center lectern. Burdo and Dooley had argued about this before the event, complaining the college was showing favoritism for the former faculty member, but Holland effectively argued that Jim was both the incumbent and—as an independent—was in between both politically, so the center spot made sense from that perspective as well.
That was all well and good, but the one thing that became abundantly clear when he arrived at his spot was that his placement also made him the prime target for questions from the moderator and his opponents. I’m right in the line of fire. Thankfully, they’re not real bullets this time.
Holland welcomed the attendees and those watching online. Because of the buzz surrounding the race, the camera set-up was similar to that of a presidential debate, with a camera for each of the candidates and one dedicated to the moderator himself.
Holland straightened his tie, took a sip of water and continued. “Tonight, we have three candidates running to represent the 42nd Assembly District for the next two years. Considering all the cameras in the room tonight and news media outside, it is clear this election has garnered statewide, and even national, attention. Millions of dollars are expected to be poured into this race. This will be the first, and perhaps only, meeting between all three candidates running for this seat. So, without further ado, let me introduce them to you.”
Holland turned in his seat. “Starting on my left is Kenny Burdo, who is the chief deputy to Orange County Supervisor Emilie Myers. On the right-hand side of our platform is Walnut Mayor and local realtor Linda Dooley. And, in the center of the stage is Jim Mitchell, Delores Holcombe’s former communications director who was appointed by Governor Jackson to fill her seat when she was tragically murdered earlier this month.”
The professor looked straight at the camera “It should be noted that Jim also worked at Foothill University for several years, and we were colleagues and friends when he was our school newspaper advisor. But, while I consider Jim a friend, that will in no way influence this debate. He will be questioned just as thoroughly as his opponents because, in this arena, giving voters the information they need to make a fair and good decision on Election Day is my only goal.”
The debate began with opening statements
that focused on their party’s major values. Burdo highlighted the democratic values of maintaining a strong social safety net and preserving natural resources by raising taxes on California’s wealthier citizens, while Dooley said she entered the race because she felt there was no one to trumpet the Republican values of independence from government interference, unnecessary regulations and taxes. Jim, while he was center right on many issues, highlighted his willingness to be persuaded to switch his position if he could be convinced it was best for the residents of his district.
“Mr. Burdo, the first question is to you. You have long stated that supporting our firefighters, police officers and teachers when they retire is of utmost importance to you. While that’s a noble goal, some of my friends at Stanford University tell me their research indicates California’s public employee pensions are underfunded by roughly $1 trillion. That’s trillion with a ‘T.’ That works out to almost $93,000 per household. What can be done to close this enormous gap, perhaps so the students in this audience and their friends who go into public service of some kind actually can afford to retire?”
Burdo nodded and smiled. “That’s a great question, professor. We need to remember that these payments, while they seem extravagant, are not optional. We made a promise to the people of California that if they served their community by fighting fires or patrolling our streets or teaching our children, we would take care of them in their golden years. This is our bond to them, and we cannot break that vow. But it’s clear this is becoming a problem. So public employees have graciously agreed to start putting a greater percentage of their salaries toward retirement like the rest of us. That’s a good start, but that won’t get us all the way there. If we need to make up the difference by asking the wealthiest among us to share a greater percentage of the burden, so these servants who have shaped our childhood and protected us throughout our lives are given the reward they deserve, then that seems a fair price to pay.”
As Holland had established beforehand that there would be no rebuttals unless someone was personally attacked, he went on to the mayor. “Mrs. Dooley, political observers across the state have expressed their surprise that you chose to run essentially as a write-in candidate without official backing or support from your own party. I have two related questions for you: First—Were you disappointed when you weren’t chosen to fill the seat, and Second—Since you don’t have party support, and statistically you have little chance of winning this election, why are you running?”
Jim could practically feel the darts shooting from Dooley’s eyes as she responded. “While I would not characterize my chances of winning as poorly as you have, the reason I am running is because we need a real Republican in this race so we have a chance at stopping the bureaucrats in Sacramento from spending more money willy-nilly without even considering what the millions of Californians in our party think. To be honest, I was disappointed when I wasn’t chosen for the seat, since this two-bit hack reporter isn’t even a real Republican. As a matter of fact”—she turned to face Jim—“I’ve heard that when Governor Jackson picked you to fill the Assemblywoman’s seat, you threatened him. That’s not very nice, or very Christian of you, if you ask me.”
Jim clutched the lectern to keep himself from responding as he would like. Holland filled the void. “Mr. Mitchell, since you were mentioned directly, you have a chance to respond.”
“Thank you, professor. While I normally wouldn’t share the contents of a private conversation, since Linda brought it up, let’s go there. When I was appointed to fill Delores’s seat, a job I did not seek out in any way, let’s just say I was encouraged by both parties to side with them. And I didn’t threaten anybody. I simply reminded my new colleagues that my job was to side with the people of my district and no one else. If I was rude in any way, I apologize to anyone I may have offended.”
“Anything else, Mr. Mitchell?”
“Yes, Professor Holland, there is. Usually, I don’t get too put off when people say bad things about my former profession, as I’ve been called much worse than what Linda just said. Now, I'm not trying to brag, but I won a Pulitzer Prize and, in my experience, they don’t usually give those to ‘two-bit hack reporters’.” Looking past the lights on the platform, Jim saw Brian shake his head.
“Since you brought up your journalistic career, let’s talk about that, shall we? You did win a Pulitzer Prize with your now-wife Melissa, for your stories about New Creation Fellowship and its leader Jeremiah Harmon, who led 28 people in a mass suicide and later died in a police shootout. Since that time, you have written and spoken publicly, including here at this university, about how your desire to get the story of your career prevented you from getting your cousin out of the group or even finding some way of stopping Pastor Jeremiah from what he did.”
Jim knew the professor had him dead to rights, but he had to salvage his performance. “Do you have a question?”
“I do, Mr. Mitchell. The question is this: if you were so reckless with the life of a family member and several innocent victims, why should voters trust you to represent their needs and concerns?”
The room was pin-drop silent as Jim momentarily considered his response. “I suppose I could say that my job was to report events, not alter them, but that’s a politician’s answer. The truth of the matter is a simple one: I made a horrible error in judgment, a mistake I will always have to live with. But what I have learned from that tragedy is that I need to know my weaknesses and admit to them rather than let them control me. I’m not perfect. Far from it, actually. But I am not going to back away from doing a good job tomorrow because I made a terrible mistake yesterday. My wife and I are about to have our second child. She’s about six months pregnant, so it’s no big secret.”
He was thankful for the light chuckles in the audience as he continued. “I don’t know what kind of world he or she is going to grow up in, but I think it’s my job to make our little part of that world the best place it can be. That’s why I’m running for office. Not for me, but for them, and all of you out there.”
Holland quieted the applause that had broken out before moving on to the next question. Before Jim knew it, they were giving their closing statements and the audience applauded all three participants. They shook hands and quickly left the stage.
Before Brian and his family were able to reach him, Jim saw a familiar face: Foothill Free-Press News Editor Penny Frost. Penny’s coverage on how bad-boy student athlete John “Jackie D” Douglas had sexually assaulted his girlfriend had rocked the campus last school year.
Jim and Penny exchanged pleasantries before the questions begin. She held up her phone to record his responses.
“How do you think you did tonight?”
“Well, I got myself into a bit of a mess, because I thought it would be better to be sarcastic than smart, but I think I did pretty well over all.”
“With a three-way race, what do you think your chances are of winning in November?”
“I hope our chances are good, but that will be up to the voters. I’ve got a bit of a learning curve with my job, so my main goal is to be the best representative I can and hope the people see that for themselves come November.”
After the interview ended, Melissa came over and gave her husband a kiss on the cheek before whispering in his ear. “Great job.”
“Thanks, hon.”
Brian and Rebecca arrived shortly thereafter and the group moved toward the back of the room, where TV reporters were doing stand-up interviews with each candidate. Jim talked to Tammi Cunningham from the Courier, along with Lauren Hickox from the Sacramento Bee and Sara Switzer with Channel 5 News. They continued to discuss strategy as they walked toward their cars.
Rebecca showed Jim her phone. “I Tweeted out your line about running to make the world a better place for your kids and you can see how many retweets it’s gotten. Also, the hashtag #NoPulitzers4Hacks is pretty popular among our friends in the media.”
“Oh lovely. I'll be the King of
Twitter for the next three minutes.”
Brian deflected the jibe. “Joke all you like, but Tweets mean votes. Not directly, but we’re still working on your brand and, since both Burdo and Dooley are older than you, seeming young and hip is never a bad thing. Something about a ‘good name is better than great riches’ comes to mind.”
“I don’t quite think the writer of Proverbs had that in mind when—”
BOOM!
Jim grabbed his wife and pulled her to the ground as Brian did the same for Rebecca. Police officers rushed to them moments later and moved them through the side entrance of a nearby building. A few minutes later, Police Chief P.J. Gibson walked through the door.
“P.J., what’s going on?”
“It turns out some knucklehead with an M-80 thought it would be fun to drive through the parking lot and throw it out the window. Thankfully, other than a little ripped-up asphalt, there was no other damage.”
Melissa shook her head. “Aren’t those illegal?”
“Yep, assuming you get a real one and not some knock-off. They’re supposed to simulate a gunshot, but unless you’ve trained with munitions in law enforcement or the military, they can sound like a bomb going off. Unfortunately, even though you can’t buy them from any legitimate fireworks dealer in America, it’s all too easy to get some from a dealer online.”
Brian broke in. “We need to get you some protection.”
Melissa nodded. “I completely agree.”
The chief of staff continued. “Chief Gibson, do you think you can help us with that?”
“Well, we don’t know yet if this was a prank or an actual threat against you, but I can understand your worry. We can provide protection, or you can hire your own security detail. Both will cost you money, particularly if you are looking for round-the-clock coverage. I’m guessing Sacramento might help pick up the tab if it’s our guys. Let me make a few calls and get back to you tomorrow, OK?”
Jim looked at each member of his group, hoping whatever he could offer would be enough. “Thanks, P.J. We’d appreciate any help you can provide.”
Running Page 5