In Poker parlance, County Assessor candidate Ernie Dronenburg has
raised the ‘Table Stakes’ in the June 8th election contest for the job of
San Diego Assessor/ Recorder/
County Clerk.
Dronenburg sent written notice to rival candidates, as required by
a provision of County election rules, that he loaned another $30,000
to his campaign, bringing his cash-on-hand to over $141,000.
He is challenging appointed Democrat incumbent David Butler in
the primary election. The other leading GOP candidate is Jeff
Olson, an executive in the Assessor’s office.
The job was in good Republican hands with Greg Smith from 1983 to
2008. Smith retired to return to the private sector.
Dronenburg represented San Diego County on the State Board of
Equalization from 1978 to 1998.
Comments 6
Ernie better put even more money in the race. To break through the political clutter he needs at least $300 K. Butler with his ballot designation will come in first, and Jeff Olson with his republican endorsements and ballot designation will come in 2nd. Ernie has the supervisors endorsements….. it will not be enough. Ernie should save his money and enjoy his retirement.
* The Commenter has made other predictions about this race on SD Rostra. Here are a few he made on February 1st:
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“I have been watching this Assessor race ever since
Greg Smith resigned. It is obvious that the appointed Assessor, Dave Butler is not going to seek the office,
that is why he took the pay raise, and has not even
attempted to raise any money. ”
DAVE BUTLER ANNOUNCED LAST WEEK THAT HE
IS RUNNING FOR ELECTION.
“In a two man race in the general Jeff still will more than
likely win, unless Ernie spends at least 200K or more,
it is an expensive county to break through the political
clutter.”
TODAY THE COMMENTER UPPED THE ANTE TO
“AT LEAST $300K” WHICH MUST BE SPENT BY ERNIE DRONENBURG.
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Stay tuned for more predictions on this race. If enough are made, some of them will eventually prove to be Right !
Isn’t most of the money put up by Ernie a personal loan to the campaign? As many of us know, candidates sometimes lend their campaigns money to make it APPEAR that they have more dinero than is really the case.
Often such money (in city races, the loan maximum is $100K, last time I checked) is not really going to be spent. It’s later repaid to the candidate who thinks better of spending such money, or perhaps because other funds poured in.
I know. I loaned my campaign $100K in my 2005 mayoral race. When it became clear that I was not in the top 3 vying for the 2 runoff spots, I didn’t spend the money.
It’s a fairly painless ploy — you actually “pay” only the lost interest on your money loaned to your campaign (you can’t have your campaign pay you interest on such loans).
Jim you are right I was wrong. I did not think Butler would run. I also thought that Ernie would have to spend at least $200K to beat Jeff Olson, but to beat Butler I think he will need to spend at least $300K in the primary and the same in the general, which I think is unlikely. Look at Orange County and see what has happened there. I think it will come down to Butler vs. Olson and that Butler will win easily. What do you think?
Is Ernie Dronenburg bluffing with campaign funds?
He’s run for office 6 times, and compiled a record
of 6 Wins and 0 losses. 5 were for State Board of
Equalization, and 1 County Board of Education.
Given that background, I don’t believe he is bluffing.
How much of his OWN funds did Ernie spend in previous races?
It’s not so much a bluff as a ploy — and it costs next to nothing.
If something is a REAL bluff, you put yourself at risk in some fashion. This is not the case here.