We turn to you, the readers. What are your thoughts on the AD 78 race discussed below?
The question is posed following a very insightful conversation today on our public Facebook page between a Rostra administrator and Elisa Brent, the campaign manager for Barbara Decker, Republican candidate for 78th Assembly District against Assemblywoman Toni Atkins.
Brent posted that Atkins is “THE MOST POWERFUL DEMOCRAT IN CALIFORNIA,” further noting, “Toni has raised over $2 million for a campaign she is not spending money on,” and “We are not going to roll over and let the local conservative media pretend like Barbara does not exist. THEY ARE SUPPORTING A DIRTY DEMOCRAT!”
Being part of the local-conservative-media-with-the-heads-in-the-sand that we are, the Rostra response…
Thanks, could you send us this same info, refined the way you want it for a Rostra post … But, we’d suggest not referring to Atkins as the most powerful Democrat in the State, as Jerry Brown is clearly moreso. Maybe “one of the most…” Thanks.
Brent sent the following…
California’s 78th State Assembly District candidate Barbara Decker for 78 Assembly wants to shake up the Democrat who she is running against Assembly Speaker Toni Atkins — THE MOST POWERFUL DEMOCRAT IN CALIFORNIA. Let’s Decker!
Barbara Decker is making a call to everyone — every registered voter, every business and especially every Californian: FOLLOW THE MONEY.
Toni has raised over $2 million for a campaign she is not spending money on. Barbara Decker challenged Toni to a debate and NOTHING, not a word. We are not going to roll over and let the local conservative media pretend like Barbara does not exist. THEY ARE SUPPORTING A DIRTY DEMOCRAT! Let’s Decker!
TONI ATKINS IS THE MOST POWERFUL DEMOCRAT. She has support from both sides of the aisle. If that doesn’t make her the most powerful then it certainly makes TONI ATKINS THE MOST DANGEROUS! Toni Atkins also has been instrumental in getting the LGBT community opportunities to grow politically. There has been a call to service and the LGBT community has stepped up. They have successfully reached every political orifice in San Diego and California. Toni Atkins is their star player. We must take out their star player while we have the chance.
Look at her wife and business partner Jennifer LeSar and all her holdings and investments. She holds some of the biggest and most lucrative redevelopment contracts in the country. How did LeSar get those contracts? Toni has been a strong player in local politics for years — San Diego City Council, Mayor Pro-Tem, Assembly Member and now Speaker of the Assembly! We must stop Toni Atkins and we have a real chance at winning if we can get money and support into Barbara Decker‘s campaign.
Let’s stop bending over and LET’S DECKER!
I am making a call out to ALL FISCAL CONSERVATIVES: GIVE BARBARA DECKER YOUR SUPPORT — YOUR TIME & YOUR MONEY! Barbara Decker has conservatives on her side as well as she is an environmentally green candidate so she has the appeal to the left. Democrats are voting Decker! Barbara Decker is the right choice to stand with and support.
The REPUBLICAN PARTY NEEDS TO STEP UP AND CONTRIBUTE to Barbara Decker’s campaign! I keep hearing how it is a Democrat seat and it’s not a sure win BUT LISTEN TO ME… DEMS ARE ALREADY VOTING FOR BARBARA! Toni Atkins has made key mistakes along the way and influential Democrats are getting out the vote for Decker. Like it or not she has been effectively reaching across the aisle and showing liberals that Sacramento’s hand is indeed in their wallets. If anyone can beat Toni Atkins it is Barbara Decker and the time is NOW!
Let’s do the math:
Total Registered Voters in 78AD – 260,362
DEM – 102,581 – Barbara has many blue dog Ds on her side
REP – 65,594 – R’s will vote Decker
INDEP/Other – 15,083 – Barbara appeals to green fiscal conservatives
Decline to State – 77,104 – Barbara again has gained support here
Let’s say Barbara pulls in less that 5 percent Ds, roughly 5,000 votes.
Barbara also garners a decent amount of support from INDEP/Other at 7,500 votes. After all she is a greenie!
We also look at the Decline to State’s who LOVE BARBARA and she gets 20 percent, 15,000 votes.
Plus Rs at 65,594 votes…Add them all together and we have 93,094.
Low voter Democrat turnout also reduces Toni’s total votes. If only 10 percent stay home Toni has roughly 92,000 votes. I think far fewer will get out and vote!
BARBARA DECKER HAS A REAL NUMERICAL CHANCE!
Even if the overall voter turnout is low Barbara Decker is in the race. Decker is in it to win it!
It’s time to get off the Atkins diet and LET’S DECKER!
Follow the money! Toni’s campaign committee has contributed to almost every single Democrat running in California as well as a bucket load of money to the Democrat Party. Toni Atkins is a cash cow and she is banking on a win. We must stop her now! Let’s Decker!
Click on the link to see for yourself how Toni Atkins campaign committee is spending her money. You can also adjust the form to show her contributors. It’s Dems and Republicans alike. Painful reality! Let’s Decker!
Written by Elisa Brent, Campaign Manager for Decker 78 Assembly 2014 Campaign
www.Decker78Assembly.com
The Rostra reply…
1) How much has Decker raised?
2) Please consider your use of words like orifice and bending over when it comes to the LGBT community. Is that phrasing the candidate herself wants included? Suggest you check with her. Thanks.
Brent’s answer…
We are at war. I chose to use those very words and there is power in words. The Atkins camp has failed to acknowledge Barbara Decker when we used nice words. This is war. We are going to get a reaction somehow someway! I have close friends in the LGBT community. If they are offended by my poignant language then they obviously do not respect my duty to get my client media attention. WE WILL NOT BE SWEPT UNDER THE RUG!
Rostra, again…
How much has Decker raised?
Brent…
Grass roots campaign with very low funding. Barbara has loaned her campaign over $10K. This has been a fight for pennies and our opponent is sitting with loads of cash … She has run this entire campaign on $20K or so. I am not in charge of the money.