“Basically. But why has he waited until now to do this?”
“I don’t know, but I have a feeling we’re about to find out.”
Holcombe had continued after a dramatic pause. “Now, trying Mitchell in a court of law might be tricky, but there is another way to make him face his consequences—consequences that took the life of my daughter, and may have led to the death of my beloved wife, Delores. A recall.”
“Larry Holcombe, you little sack of—”
Jim jabbed Brian’s bicep. “Don’t give him the satisfaction, even if he can’t hear us.” Mina entered, and they waved her into the office.
“So, today I am launching a recall effort for Jim Mitchell. I’ve stayed out of this mess for so long, but I just can do it anymore. The voters were fooled by his charm and his lies, but I can’t be quiet any longer. I’ve thought long and hard about what to do, and this is the only option that honors the lives that were stolen from us so long ago. There is no statute of limitations for what he has done to us. He was reckless with people’s lives. He’s a disgrace, not just to the people living in Emerald Valley but all Californians. He has to be removed from his position before he has a chance to hurt anyone else. For all our sakes.”
The normally reserved Mina burst out in anger. “That stupid son of a—”
Jim glared at her.
“—gun?”
Brian leaned over. “Jim’s about to put out a swear jar, and we’ll be charging…”
“Five dollars.”
Brian’s eyes widened. “Seriously, dude?”
“Yes, seriously. And don’t say ‘dude.’ I seem to remember you telling me it was unprofessional.”
“Well, that was before this…scumbag decided to take you on personally.”
Jim raised his hands to calm the duo. “Listen, I know you’re mad at him. I am, too, don’t get me wrong. I think he’s a lying opportunist who’s been mad at me ever since Melissa and I exposed his little ‘Measure B’ scheme nine years ago. To be fair, that was more Melissa’s brilliance than mine. At any rate, we’re not going to cuss him out in here because I don’t want us cussing him out when we’re talking or texting or Tweeting or whatever else we’re doing. Larry Holcombe’s trying to get a reaction out of us and we’re not going to give him the satisfaction.”
Brian nodded. “Fair enough. So, what’s the plan, boss?”
“Brian, you’re running point on this one. You and Lizzie are going to need to work some magic, but you got me elected, so I have faith in your abilities.”
“What about me?” Mina piped up.
“As of right now, you’re my director of communications. Congratulations. Your job is to change the narrative. I’m sure #RecklessJim is going to be trending by noon. When you talk to Tammi at the Courier or Sara Switzer from Channel 5, you can tell them I’m not reckless, I’m fearless. I have a job to do, one people elected me to do and no accusations that are eight years old and totally irrelevant are going to sideline me.”
“But they’re going to ask whether you feel responsible for your role in the New Creation mess.”
“I know, Mina, and I would too if I was in their shoes.” Jim took a deep breath. “My son’s middle name is Vincent, after my cousin who died in Crestline. I was devastated by this tragedy, but if we are casting blame, and I’m not, it’s only fair to note that Larry Holcombe tried to pass a ballot measure to outlaw the group meeting in town, but he did nothing directly to get her, or anyone else out. He’s right that there’s enough blame to go around, but some of that lands at his doorstep as well.”
He picked up his phone, looked at his messages and shook his head, laughing.
“What is it?”
“Apparently, Brian, my lovely wife didn’t get the memo about our no cussing rule.”
“What, does she owe you a cup of coffee?”
“No, I think she’s paying for a pizza. A large one with everything.”
“Man…”
“My wife doesn't normally use that kind of language, but when she does, she's got a really good reason," Jim said. "Like I keep telling people, Melissa Mitchell may seem like a nice lady, but she protects her own.”
The threesome split up, with Mina calling Rebecca to help out with social media while Brian researched current laws on recall efforts. Ten minutes later, Jim and his chief of staff sat down to discuss their options.
Brian began with the results of his research. “Well, the good news is that the last time one of these recall efforts worked on a member of the state assembly was twenty years ago. Also, they would need to get more than 40,000 signatures for this to fly.”
“What’s the bad news?”
“Well, you can be recalled for any reason, and they have 160 days to get those signatures. That means they have through the first week of June.”
“Anything else?”
“And, since you were appointed back in August, you can be subject to recall immediately.”
“What happens if they win?”
“Well, I’m pretty sure they’re not going to win since these things usually fizzle out. But, if they are successful, it means your career in politics is over.”
“Literally or just figuratively?”
“I guess you could get elected to city council somewhere in central California or the High Sierras, but you couldn’t legally be appointed to any statewide position anywhere, so you can forget about the governor helping you out like he did last time.”
Jim chuckled. “Governor Jackson probably hasn’t been my number-one fan since I told him I couldn’t be scared off by his threats, so I doubt he would repeat the favor anyway.”
Brian thought for a moment. “You know, you could promise not to run again. It worked for Teddy Roosevelt.”
“Yeah, and as I remember, Roosevelt regretted the decision for the rest of his life.”
“Hmm. I didn’t peg you as a TR fan.”
“Oh come on, he was a politician that offended people from both parties by doing what he thought was right. He’s my kind of guy.”
“I suppose he is. So, are you ready for the fight of your political life?”
“Since I started my ‘political life’ four months ago, I guess I don’t have much to compare it to. But I’ve never backed down from a fight, and I have no plan to start now.”
“That’s good to hear. I’ve always been one for a good barroom brawl.”
Jim looked his campaign manager up and down. “You’re like my height. How many ‘brawls’ have you been involved in?”
“That was more figurative than literal, but if you’re talking a political fight, I’m your man.”
“Good, because if I know one thing about Larry Holcombe, it’s that he doesn’t give up very easily.”
“Let’s hope Mina has had some success with the first step in our plan.”
Holcombe widower calls for Mitchell recall
By Tammi Cunningham
STAFF WRITER
Larry Holcombe, the widower of slain Assemblywoman Delores Holcombe, called Monday for the recall of his wife’s replacement, Jim Mitchell, because of his alleged connection to the death of the lawmaker in August and their daughter eight years ago.
Speaking at the site of the New Creation Fellowship mountainside retreat in Crestline, Holcombe said he blames Mitchell in part for the death of his daughter and 27 other members of the New Creation Fellowship, a group led Jeremiah Harmon, also known as Gerald Hartley.
“There is one person in particular who knew what was going on and did nothing about it. That man is Assemblyman Jim Mitchell and it’s high time he paid for his crimes,” Holcombe said.
Attorney Adam Bashore said he was representing Holcombe and he would be working with public policy experts to make the recall a reality. He even said he would be willing to ask for support from Mitchell’s opponents in the election, Democrat Kenny Burdo and Republican Linda Dooley.
“We’ll do whatever it takes to remove this menace from office,” Bashore said.
“He has no business being a public servant.”
While Holcombe suggested Mitchell was responsible for the death of his wife and daughter, proving such charges in a court of law would be an uphill battle, Assistant District Attorney Patrick Svoboda said.
“Mitchell was a reporter following a story. Perhaps he should have explained his conflict of interest in the matter, but that doesn’t make him culpable for their death any more than Larry Holcombe himself, and no one is suggesting he be charged in their deaths,” Svoboda said.
Emerald Valley Police Spokeswoman Pauline Baronia agreed. “This all is a just a tragedy, and the man responsible basically committed suicide by cop,” she said. “To hold Jim Mitchell responsible goes against all the evidence.”
Foothill University Political Science Professor Frank Holland said the action seemed more of a political move than a legal one.
“Larry Holcombe is overwrought with grief, and understandably so, but a recall effort isn’t very likely to work,” Holland said. “What Jim Mitchell did wrong happened years ago, and his record since then, particularly during his short career in Sacramento so far, suggests he is a level-headed person who’s a pretty quick study.”
In the modern era of politics, social media is always a key component and this recall effort is no different. In the battle of the hashtags, Holcombe started #RecklessJim, but the Mitchell camp responded with #FearlessJim, the latter of which is trending with twice as many Tweets and retweets.
Mina Mendoza, the assemblyman’s newly appointed director of communication, said Mitchell has no intention to let this effort slow him down.
“Jim Mitchell has work to do on issues like transportation, school choice, the environment, agriculture, clean energy and economic empowerment,” Mendoza said. “He's sad, of course, about the tragedy that took place in Crestline years ago and the horrible attack on Assemblywoman Holcombe in August, but the people responsible for those crimes have been brought to justice one way or another. Now it’s time to move forward.”
Tammi Cunningham covers Emerald Valley for the Southern California Courier. Follow her on Twitter @TammiSCCourier.
At the end of the day, with Mark sleeping in his own bed and Becca in her bassinet in the corner of their bedroom, Melissa leaned over to Jim after she finished the story. “Mina did a pretty good job for her first day.”
“Yeah, now let’s just hope the job get easier rather than harder.”
She laughed. “And what’s the likelihood of that?”
“Not much, little lady, but a fella can dream, can’t he?”
She giggled in spite of herself. “You know, after all these years, I should find that John Wayne thing absolutely annoying, but I don’t.”
“It must be hard being married to someone so irresistible.”
“Oh, I wouldn’t go that far…”
Jim pointed toward their daughter. “Well, I must be a little bit irresistible, otherwise we wouldn’t have these guys.”
She held her fingers about an inch apart. “OK, maybe a little bit irresistible.”
He grinned. "I'll take what I can get."
18
Jim’s office went into crisis mode for the entire week after the recall effort was announced. Since the Assembly was in recess until the first of the year, Jim split his time between preparing for the upcoming session and working with his staff to curry support. He knew that securing key allies early on would be necessary to tamp down the call to remove him from office.
On Thursday morning, Jim, Brian and Lizzie had a strategy session at the office. Tammi’s story had run in the Courier and its sister paper, the West Valley Post, but it was also picked up by the Associated Press and appeared in the San Diego Union-Tribune, Orange County Register, Los Angeles Times and Sacramento Bee, among other smaller papers across the state.
Brian’s focus was mainly defensive, aimed at finding people who would say nice things about Jim and his work in Sacramento. “We need to make sure we get support from Democrats and Republicans who are willing to talk about how Jim is a team player and then get them to share their stories with the media.”
Lizzie, on the other hand, was playing offense, looking for weaknesses in the recall efforts and its proponents. “We’ve got plenty of dirt on Larry Holcombe. We just need to find the right people who can get the information out without it looking like it came from us.”
Jim held up his hand. “I’m going to stop you right there. While we can talk about his legislative record, we’re not going after him personally.”
“But Jim, I don’t think you understand—”
“Understand what—the political ramifications if we lose? No, I understand that completely. In addition to being disgraced, I have no other job and my prospects would be abysmal. But there’s no way I’m going after Larry Holcombe. The man has lost his wife and daughter, both tragically. Both of us could have done more to stop Jeremiah Harmon, and we didn’t. There is enough blame to go around on that one.”
Brian shrugged. “He’s right on that one, Lizzie. Even if we did it quietly, the attack would probably come back to us,” he said. “Speaking of covert attack, we know Linda Dooley would be jumping up and down to replace you and Kenny Burdo wouldn’t be far behind. I know I’m supposed to be playing defense, but we could leak some of the opposition research we gathered on them during the campaign.”
Jim shook his head. “If you’re talking about the attack ad Linda knew about, there’s no way we’re using that. I gave her my word. And, as for Kenny, the only real dirt we had on him was his son’s arrest for possession six years ago, and that’s off limits, too.”
Brian sighed in exasperation. “You’re tying our hands behind our backs here. Please don’t go all Mr. Smith Goes to Washington on us. We’re trying to keep you in office.”
“Which I appreciate, but we’re not going to do it at the expense of who I am. I’m not above running smart, but I won’t do it dirty. When the time comes, we can talk all about the bad calls Kenny Burdo’s boss made—that he supported when he ran—and the atrocious trash collection contract Linda signed as mayor. But we don’t hit below the belt.”
“It worked for you when you were a reporter at the Courier,” Brian countered. “I read enough of your articles and columns to know that you never minded taking a cheap shot when it suited your purposes. I’m not asking you to fight dirty, just to fight.”
“Yeah, and how well did that work out for me? My overinflated ego and the need to always be right, to have the last word, caused me to forget what was really important—the fact an evil man was taking advantage of vulnerable people. It may not be my fault that Vince is dead, or Angela De La Cruz or Jeremiah Harmon or any of the rest of them, but I was happy to let it happen as long as I got a byline above the fold!”
The room was quiet for a moment as the enflamed tensions began to shrink back to normal. Jim broke the silence.
“All I am saying is that we need to run on my record, on who I am today, and not get caught up in the mudslinging.” He looked straight at his chief of staff. “Brian, you helped Delores Holcombe be a great politician even in the short time she was in the Assembly and I know it wasn’t by using the cheap tricks everyone else was. Let’s try that again and see what happens, OK?”
Brian shrugged and raised his hands. “Sure, why not?”
_____
Later that afternoon, Jim showed Brian a draft of his response to the recall statement Bashore had released late Monday afternoon. The language blended directness with an eloquence that was quick becoming Jim's legislative trademark. He began by focusing on his record, highlighting three key pieces of legislation that he had co-sponsored since August. He closed his nearly 200-word response with an apology and an appeal.
As much as I wish it were not the case, none of us can change the mistakes of the past. The only thing any of us can do is live our lives today in a way that makes it better for those around us. If I remain in the Assembly that will be my goal until my last da
y in office…and beyond.
“Nicely done,” Brian said. “We’ll get this out on the website and submit it to the Secretary of State’s office first thing tomorrow.”
“Thanks.” Jim smiled. “So, what’s our next step?”
“I say you have a ‘talk-until-you-drop’ press conference tomorrow afternoon and answer anything they can throw at you.”
“That’s a good idea. I know I’ve let you and Mina handle most of the media so far, but I’ve got to get out there and reset the narrative. Set it up, OK?”
“Will do. Where do you want to do it?”
“Somewhere outside. How about at Heisey Park next to the old carob tree. That thing’s been there since World War I. If there’s anything in town that suggests longevity in the face of adversity, it’s that tree.”
_____
The press conference began at 2 p.m., which Lizzie had said would be at the right time: right after lunch and long enough before the afternoon news broadcasts and print deadlines.
While Jim had hoped against reason that only one or two reporters would attend the event, he soon realized he wasn’t going to be that lucky. There were three news cameras and at least a dozen reporters milling about the scene. There also was a noticeable police presence throughout the park. Even though Strojny and Gibson had assured him the roundup of SRM members was progressing smoothly, they still were nervous about Jim holding a press conference in such an open venue. While he ceded to the security measures, he didn’t want it to look like the entire Emerald Valley Police Department had been tasked to his detail.
He leaned over to Brian and whispered. “It’s not like there's been a plane crash or major earthquake.”
“It might not be a wreck yet, but the phrase ‘runaway train’ comes to mind. Besides it’s the holidays. There’s not much else going on right now, which is why they are drawn to this like bees to honey. And the number of police officers and cruisers are only adding to the drama.”
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