And they’re off

The deadline for candidates to declare their intentions to run for local office has come and gone. There are school board and council seats to fill, as well as those of county supervisor, the candidates for which were weeded out in the June primary.

Though these offices are officially deemed “non-partisan,” the candidates and campaigns tend to be very partisan. All that “non-partisan” means is that there will be no “R” or “D” or other political party symbol next to the candidates’ names on the ballot.

This would explain why four candidates for Chico City Council, including the mayor, were introduced at the ribbon cutting ceremony for the local Democratic headquarters on Saturday, Aug. 11. In fact, Mayor Ann Schwab was the one who cut the ribbon.

As of press time, there were 11 candidates running for the four open council seats. Notably not running are incumbents Andy Holcombe and Jim Walker, which explains why so many others are lined up for the job.

More than 100 people attended the event (121 signed in, according to Democratic activist and organizer Bob Mulholland), which was held at the former home of the Pampered Paws Groom & Pet Supply, located next to O’Reilly’s Auto Parts on Mangrove Avenue. The four candidates anointed by the local Democratic party are Schwab, former Councilwoman Kimberly Rudisill (known as Kimberly King when on council), community activist Tami Ritter, and Randall Stone, owner of Randall Stone Financial Planning and Real Estate and frequent target of online posts and letters to the editor by local conservatives.

The other seven candidates running are incumbent Bob Evans, a retired business manager; Toby Schindelbeck, a business owner and frequent council meeting attendee and speaker; realtor Dave Donnan, who ran in 2010; Andrew Coolidge, owner of a PR firm and opponent of the proposed cell-phone tax measure; Sean Morgan, a part-time Chico State business instructor; Dave Kelley, a Chico planning commissioner and architect; and Lisa Duarte, the mystery candidate. A message left on her cell phone asking for background information was not returned by press time.

At the ribbon cutting ceremony former Chico Mayor Karl Ory welcome the gathered, who included Councilwoman Mary Goloff, District 1 congressional candidate Jim Reed, former mayor and current Butte County Supervisor Maureen Kirk, former Vice Mayor Tom Nickell and 3rd District Assembly candidate Charles Rouse.

“This is very exciting campaign,” Ory said. “I’ve never seen so much early excitement. I think we are going to do really great come November with all of us working together.”

He then acknowledged those in attendance and turned the microphone over to Schwab, whom he called “one of the greatest mayors we’ve had in Chico.”

Before Schwab could speak, a man stepped up and asked her what the council was going to do about the rising crime rate while the Police Department budget is getting trimmed. He held aloft an iPhone and video recorded her answer, which was basically that the council is dealing with financial realities. The man smirked, said “Thank you” and left the ceremony before the ribbon was cut.

Schwab, standing next to the other three council candidates, said she was also excited about the upcoming election and that things were looking good for President Obama.

“We can win Northern California, we can win Chico, we can win America,” she said. “It’s going to take everybody’s efforts and pull and push. That is what this headquarters is for. It’s important that we have progressive government.”

Six council candidates have filed financial statements of money raised and money spent. Leading the list is Morgan, who as of July 1 had raised $16,595 and spent $9,947. Morgan’s major campaign contributors include $1,000 from C.S. and T.M. Daughterman, owners of Thomas Welding & Machine Inc. and longtime contributors to conservative candidates. Former City Manager Fred Davis has kicked $500 to Morgan, as have Webb Homes, Judy Sitton, Bill Webb Construction, and Diamond Hotel owner Wayne Cook.

Schindelbeck has raised $13,302 and spent $6,643. He too received $1,000 from the Daughtermans. Councilman and fellow candidate Evans gave him $100. Schindelbeck’s also raised $3,512 in non-monetary contributions, including $395 in advertising space from Upgraded Living magazine and gift cards from local businesses Robin Marie Shoes ($25), Smyth Tires ($45), The Pour House ($100), Perfect Tan ($100), Outback Steakhouse ($90), and Powell’s Sweet Shoppe ($120).

Evans has raised $10,400 and spent $2,147. Contributors include Webb Homes ($500), Emmett Skinner ($500), James Paiva ($250) and Scott Chalmers ($250). Coolidge has received $10,055 and spent $9,380. Contributors include the Daughtermans ($1,000). and the Wagner Insurance Agency ($500).

Donnan has raised $5,065 and spent $4,815. He’s lent himself $4,215 and received $250 from Daniel Hunt, president of Mid-Valley Title & Escrow. Schwab has raised $7,160 and spent $2,684. Her largest contribution is from fellow Councilmember Andy Holcombe ($250). Stone has given her $100, and she’s even slipped herself $5.

Kelley has $4,305 in contributions and has spent $3,429. His largest contributor is dentist Gary Walker ($250). He’s also received a non-monetary contribution from Kim Scott of Chico Scrap Metal in the form of 141 salvaged metal wire stakes for yard signs valued at $105.75.

In the race for Paradise Town Council, with three seats up for grabs, incumbents Joe DiDuca and Alan White are not running, while Steve Culleton is. DiDuca is running for the 5th District county supervisor seat against Paradise businessman Doug Teeter.

Three others, Greg Bolin, Stanley D. McEtchin and John J. Rawlings, are also running for Town Council seats.

In the 1st District supervisorial race, incumbent Bill Connelly won 67 percent of the vote in the June primary, giving him the seat.

In the race to fill longtime Rep. Wally Herger’s congressional shoes, state Sen. Doug LaMalfa, a Republican from Richvale, will face off against Reed, a tax attorney from Fall River Mills. Reed ran unsuccessfully against Herger in 2010, garnering 43 percent of the vote.

In the 3rd Assembly District race, incumbent Republican Dan Logue, of Linda, will face Rouse, a retired postal worker from Corning who is running for his first elective office.