Local Politician of the Year – Councilmember Georgette Gomez
2016 saw many impressive local election victories. Mayor Faulconer and multiple councilmembers cruised to June wins, County Supervisor Kristin Gaspar beat incumbent Dave Roberts, and former Councilmember Todd Gloria moved to the State Assembly. None seemed as improbable at the outset as Gomez’s rise. In a four candidate primary, she bested a Labor Council backed opponent to advance to the general, where she beat the incumbent Councilmember’s Chief of Staff. A tireless precinct walker and community activist, Gomez proved that knowing voters personally can still make a big difference.
National Politician of the Year – President-elect Donald Trump
Like TIME magazine, the award goes to the person with the most impact, not the one I like the most. Also like them, I won’t change it to “Man of the Year”.
Honorable Mention – FBI Director James Comey
Comey put himself at the center of the presidential election three times: giving Sec. Clinton a tongue lashing while deciding not to prosecute her, re-opening the case Oct. 28, and re-clearing Nov. 6. Comey can’t really be higher than the number three reason Clinton lost (after Clinton and Trump), but that’s still high for a non-partisan FBI director.
Best National Thing – I got nothin’
Comment section help is appreciated.
Best State Thing – The Joint Statement from the leaders of the California Legislature
It was a tonic to the 8.7 million California Clinton voters dumbstruck by Trump’s victory.
“America is greater than any one man or party. We will not be dragged back into the past. We will lead the resistance to any effort that would shred our social fabric or our Constitution. California was not a part of this nation when its history began, but we are clearly now the keeper of its future.”
Best Local Thing – The passing of Props K and L
More people making decisions is a good thing. Now if only the County would do the same.
Worst National Thing – North Carolina Republicans
(I refuse to give Trump two awards.) Not only did they restrict voting and redistrict so brazenly that the courts stepped in, but they used a special session to strip the incoming Gov. Roy Cooper, a Democrat, of numerous powers and reneged on a promise to repeal HB 2, the “bathroom law.” It’s bad to abuse power when you win. It’s worse to change the rules when you lose.
Honorable Mention – not holding hearings on Justice Merrick Garland
Same reason.
Worst Local Thing – Wasted talent
There are 27 California Senate Democrats and 23 committees. Five don’t chair a committee: Majority Leader Monning; Caucus Chair Leyva, Sen. Roth, who chairs a budget subcommittee; Sen. Portantino; and former Assembly Speaker and Senator from San Diego, the Honorable Toni Atkins. Yes, she took the seat of an incumbent (who decided not to run), but to paraphrase the Best State Thing, California is greater than any one person or party. Wasting her vast talents damages the 39th District, San Diego and California.
