By Ryan Trabuco
I must first preface this post by saying I have come to know Farrah Douglas through my volunteer efforts within the local Republican Party over the last few years. I respect Farrah. She’s an accomplished woman, and I believe she’s done an admirable job on the Carlsbad City Council.
However, when a legitimate issue is raised about a candidate’s vote, an action, or in this instance — voter registration — some would argue it’s fair game. It is for me. For as many times as I’ve been called a RINO (yeah, it hurts), I can proudly say: I’ve been a registered Republican since October 21, 2003 — the day I turned 18.
When Farrah Douglas stands before a Republican organization and claims life-long status within our party, it’s almost like listening to a World War II veteran tell their story. Few can claim such an accomplishment. So, when records from the San Diego County Registrar of Voters raise a question of validity to her claims, it can result in others questioning Douglas’ commitment and integrity.
Official records on file at the ROV reveal Douglas has changed her party affiliation at least twice. She registered as a Republican in 1983, switched to Democrat in 1999 and then back to Republican just before her failed run for Carlsbad City Council in 2007.
Between the years of 1992-2006, Douglas, who is running in the June 5th primary election for the 76th Assembly District as a Republican, apparently failed to vote in a single primary election, according to her voting record. Disappointing. As much as I respect our 2010 statewide nominees — Meg Whitman and Damon Dunn — similar issues that plagued their respective campaigns.
Over the past 17 primary and special elections for which Douglas has been eligible, she only voted in five of them. Douglas voted in a primary for the first time in the Special Primary for the 50th Congressional District in April of 2006 – as a Democrat. This particular special election was personal for me. I drove down from my home in Orange County at the time, and volunteered as much as I could to help our Republican candidate Brian Bilbray defeat Francine Busby (the first time). The fact that Douglas was registered — and voted — as a Democrat, could have had real implications for the Republican Party, whose organizational and member support she has been courting for her Assembly bid.
Voting records show that Douglas was not only a registered Democrat, but took a Democrat ballot in the closed June 2006 primary. As a result, Douglas had to have voted for a Democrat rather than for a Republican in that primary election. Disappointing.
When Farrah Douglas sought our party’s endorsement a few months ago, she withheld disclosing her past party affiliation, or her past voting record. Also disappointing. It might not be the pretty side of politics, but truth and honesty are better than a potential hit piece — or unfavorable blog postings.
Some could make the argument that if Douglas knowingly withheld this information from our party’s leadership during the endorsement process, then what else could she be withholding from the public?
As I mentioned earlier, I have nothing but respect for Farrah Douglas. Her story is inspiring. An immigrant journey of American perseverance, triumph and success we often hear about but rarely see up close. However, given all that, why the silent treatment on these issues? I can only say I am disappointed.
I have emailed Douglas and will post her response if I hear back from her.
Trabuco is President of the Clairemont Town Council and a California Republican Party delegate.
Comments 15
Hey Ryan – what prompted you to search for Farrah’s registration record?
I ask because it seems odd that this is something you would just stumble across…its almost as though you searched it out knowing the result you would find or had someone feed you the information.
Even for a a loyal Republican Crusader, searching out the registration history of local republicans running for office is kind of an odd thing to do….unless of course you have a horse in the race, dont you think?
Looking forward to your response.
JC
JC … What about getting the truth out??? …. She should answer for her record.
Ryan,
Any answer yet? I remember walking for precincts for Bilbray, in 2006 and having a devil of a time at it. I’d sure like to know who worked against my efforts.
Trabuco, more often than not, stakes claims not out of principle but out of convenience.
Whether that convenience is what suits him at the time, or what he thinks to be beneficial for his own “political gain.”
Remind you all of anyone?
Ryan – This is a strange attack from someone who doesn’t live in the district, shown any prior interest in this campaign, and is not overtly working for one of the two other republican opponents.
I guess Republicans really do eat their young. Trabuco, a young upcoming Republican, points out some information that may be pertinent to those trying to decide who to vote for. Instead of debating the information he presented, you trash him and his possible motives for bringing the information forward. Priceless!
Ryan-
Since it has only been several hours since I posted my question I will assume you haven’t had time to check the comment section yet.
However, a bit of advice for the future. If you are supporting one candidate over the other and think voter registration records matter, just come out and say it. I think Candidate X is better than Y because…
I and several others look forward to what you have to say.
JC…S
I know Trabuco has been very public in his support of Nathan Fletcher. For him to cast aspersions on another candidate for party switching, seems at best an act of supreme cognitive dissonance.
If Trabuco is a “young up and coming Republican” then I am The Pope.
I’m less interested in the motivation of the post than I am in the substance of it. I, like Mr. Trabuco, worked to get a Republican elected after the Cunningham debacle. It wasn’t easy either. I’m interested to find out if Mrs. Douglas was working against me (and why)
JC, I apologize for the late response.
I think it’s a pat-on-the-back for us here in San Diego where AD 76 district is one of the very few districts statewide where ONLY Republicans are running against each other for a legislative seat. I know all of the candidates and respect all of them, so it’s not up to me who wins this seat — we’ve already won it.
Brian, no response as of yet. I sent the e-mail to Farrah prior to posting.
Alger, Republicans are hungry. What more can I say?
Ryan, I never said I was happy or content with Nathan’s decision to switch his registration. I’ve told him that publicly, as have others. I’m not backing Nathan because of his switch, I’m backing him because I feel he’s a stronger candidate, and a stronger leader. If I’m proven wrong after June 5th, then I will eat crow and we’ll talk. Quote me.
Also, Team Carl has constantly knocked Nathan for standing up in front of the Central Committee during the endorsement process weeks prior — when Farrah did the same and claimed she’s been a lifelong Republican. Clearly, she hasn’t which deserves an explanation. If you’re going to critique, at least be consistent.
twm, I’m sorry you think I’m unprincipled and a charlatan. I can always try to do better. Also, I didn’t realize The Pope commented on local San Diego blogs. The Vatican must be too boring, I suppose.
Did I miss responses to anyone else?
Ryan,
Yes you did miss one question. What prompted you to search for Farrah’s record? Did you just look for her registration or were there others?
Did anyone ask you to post this info or did you do it all on your own?
Thanks
The next natural question after, “Did someone ask you to write about it” is “So, who was the source?” Journalists have gone to jail for not fessing up on that question.
You may be surprised to know how many times we’ve been pitched on possible stories in the last month alone. The percentage of blog posts that are the result of a source providing some info to the author vs. the author’s own original thought is:
1) We have no idea, and
2) Nobody’s business but the authors’.
Seriously, nearly every journalist, reporter, blogger and columnist has been approached at some point, if not numerous times, with an idea for a story — typically by those with an agenda, from PR professionals to political consultants.
Being “led” to info or an idea for a story is as commonplace as a reporter coming up with a thought on his/her own, or hearing a rumor and looking into it and determining it to be true.
So?
For a writer to divulge the origination of a story is no different than outing a private source.
Ryan, it’s up to you, but our advice; Ain’t anyone’s business.
There are far too many inconsistencies with Farrah Douglas, not the least of which the portrayal of herself as a successful, fiscal conservative, which could not be further from the truth.
Mrs. Douglas was sued by the landlord of her business for not paying over $100,000 in rent, see: http://bit.ly/J6YAxk and she is currently being sued, in two separate cases, by Capital One bank for non-payment of over $20,000 in credit card debt! See: http://bit.ly/L40OsK and http://bit.ly/JRngZP . Just how is not living up to your agreements and skipping out on debts being fiscally conservative or responsible? It is particularly curious that the bank couldn’t serve her in-person and had to resort to substitute service in at least one of the cases. The comments above simply represent my personal opinions, observations and a dissemination of data contained in public records.
She’s like Mitt Romney.
Mitt moves left, hangs right, zig zags, flips, darts, etches-a-sketch, does/says whatever a likely to vote or contribute constituent in front of him would like at a particular time.
Like Reagan praising and quoting FDR and JFK whenever he knew a sufficient number of Democrats would be listening, but praising and quoting Cal Coolidge whenever he knew a lot of neo-cons were in the room. Reagan bragged about his ability to charm voters of every stripe, and once said, “My acting skills allow me to come off like a prince right after I’ve behaved like a jackass.” This quote came after RR was caught selling US missiles to Iran in complete secrecy, and used the money to fund a covert and illegal war.