MURRIETA —— Like notches in their belts, several school board candidates are racking up endorsements as they work to convince voters to support them in the upcoming election.
While a nod from a past or present local political figure or advocacy group may not make or break a candidacy, the endorsements are an important part of winning people's support in the upcoming election, some of the Murrieta school board contenders said in recent interviews.
In fact, endorsements are pretty consequential for local, nonpartisan races such as the school board race in Murrieta, said a political science professor at UC Riverside.
"Because there aren't really party labels, we all say, 'Oh, we want to vote for the best person.' But we don't," said professor Shaun Bowler. "Endorsements help voters figure out whether (candidates) are a left-winger or a right-winger."
Several of those seeking one of the two seats up for grabs Nov. 8 on the Murrieta Valley Unified School District board of trustees point out to potential voters in talks or campaign literature the names or groups in the region that have endorsed their candidacies.
"When these people put a stamp of approval on you, it resonates with the same voters that voted for them," Richard Ackerman said of his endorsements by local politicians.
Incumbent Kris Thomasian and challengers Ackerman, Robin Crist, Jan Fletcher and John Wells have each accumulated anywhere between one and one dozen endorsements from local political leaders, unions and groups.
They said they are proud of their endorsements and believe they validate and bolster their campaigns.
Bowler said endorsements can have that effect.
"If you get the endorsement of a group, that's a sign you can rely on them for the election," he said. "It could mean money, precinct workers, resources for your campaign."
Thomasian said endorsements from groups such as the Murrieta Teachers Association, which she earned last month, show that the teachers of the district respect and support her run.
"It gives my campaign credibility," Thomasian said of her endorsements, which include locally elected officials, the Murrieta Police Officers Association and Rescue Murrieta, a politically active group of residents who put in motion a recall election.
Crist was the other candidate to receive the teachers union endorsement, which means the association will actively assist the two candidates until the election, including donating money to their election coffers.
Chris Pasciuto, the endorsement chairwoman for the Crist campaign, said she believes endorsements can cause public discourse and sway voters. She said that as someone who has been involved with Murrieta politics for more than 15 years, she has witnessed their effects.
"There is a certain amount of respect when a school board member or principal or respected member of the community endorses a candidate," Pasciuto said. Crist has also been endorsed by several local politicians, among others.
Ackerman said he believes his endorsements illustrate to voters that he's up for the job.
"It shows I am recognized as someone capable of leadership by people already in a leadership position," Ackerman said.
His endorsements include the Republican Party of Riverside County, state Sen. Dennis Hollingsworth, R-Murrieta, and Assemblyman Ray Haynes, R-Murrieta.
Recently, Ackerman has come under fire from some in the community for noting that he is a Republican on some of his signs in what is considered a nonpartisan school board race.
"That's not for them to decide," he said of those who criticize his signs' wording. "I have a First Amendment right to state what my political views are."
Wells also received a nod from the county Republican Party, Hollingsworth and Haynes, as well as the school district's non-teaching employees' union, the Murrieta Police Officers Association and other locally elected politicians.
Fletcher and Ackerman received endorsements from the Murrieta-Temecula Republican Assembly, a group of about 100 local residents who support conservative candidates.
As for local school board candidates who do not have a list of endorsements, Bowler said it's possible —— but not probable —— that they will get elected.
"The fact that they don't have endorsements suggests they don't have investments, backers," he said. "If you don't have endorsements, chances are you don't have much money behind you and (little support beyond) family, friends and neighbors."
Candidate Wyatt Haupt said he tried for one endorsement and struck out. Candidate Sheree Jederberg said she made some attempts to receive an endorsement as well, but added that without one she still has a strong campaign that resonates with residents.
"In our community, as long as your name is out there and people know who you are and what you are about, I think that is going to sell the candidate," Jederberg said.
Candidate Jacqueline Hanny said endorsements aren't required when a candidate has grass-roots support, which she said she has among parents, especially those who have special-needs students.
"Basically, I'm not concerned," Hanny said. "I think there is a significant amount of parents who have significant concerns for their children who think that I can make a difference."
Five of the eight candidates running for two seats on the Murrieta Valley Unified School District board of trustees have picked up endorsements from past and present political figures of the region as well as local union and activist groups. The candidates say the nods validate their candidacy and help illustrate who they are and what they represent. Candidates Sheree Jederberg, Jacqueline Hanny and Wyatt Haupt did not report any endorsements from political figures or local union and activist groups.
Richard Ackerman
Robin Crist
Jan Fletcher
Kris Thomasian
John Wells
Contact staff writer Jennifer Kabbany at (951) 676-4315, Ext. 2625, or jkabbany@californian.com.
Posted in Murrieta on Sunday, October 23, 2005 12:00 am
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