LAKE COUNTY — The “Voter Information Guide for Democrats,” a private, political mailer, agitated area voters because it carries the name of Republican candidate Jim Comstock in the non-partisan race for county District 1 Supervisor.
Comstock”s name and 25-word campaign message appear below a picture of Democratic presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama, Democratic Congressional candidate Mike Thompson and State Assembly Democratic candidate Wesley Chesbro. Comstock”s name bears an asterisk, which signifies that he paid to have his name included on the mailer.
Comstock is the only Republican on the mailer, and the only name bearing an asterisk.
In an e-mail to subscribers, Lake County Democratic Central Committee Chair Becky Curry called the slate mailer misleading.
“He (Comstock) is implying wrongly, to an undiscerning eye, that he is endorsed by the Democratic Party and has the personal endorsements of the Democratic candidates and supports the positions of the ballot campaigns listed on the mailer,” Curry writes.
Larry Levine and Associates, a Sherman Oaks political consulting firm, publishes the mailer. Owner Larry Levine confirmed it was sent Oct. 20 only to registered Democrats in Lake County Supervisor District 1, where Comstock and Democrat Susanne La Favor are running for the open seat on the county board of supervisors.
“I”m sure Democratic candidates are trying to get votes from the Republican party just as Republicans are trying to get votes from Democrats. One of the reasons we keep our local offices in California non-partisan is to avoid some of the things that have gone on in the east, where they do partisan offices. There is no reason why Democrats should not have information about Jim Comstock,” Levine said.
Comstock said the publishing company contacted him to ask whether he wanted to be included on the mailer. Levine said his firm contacted Comstock because Chris Jones, a campaign consultant, recommended him.
Jones confirmed he is Comstock”s campaign consultant, and said he received a word-of-mouth recommendation after having worked as District 5 Supervisor Rob Brown”s campaign consultant when he ran for State Assembly in 2002 and in the June 2008 primary. Jones, who has been a campaign consultant full-time for 10 years, said it is common practice for politicians to buy space on slate mailers across party lines.
“In a non-partisan office like supervisor, you have to appeal to a broad range of voters. The main benefit of a slate mailer is that it”s a less expensive way to communicate your message,” Jones said.
In a prepared statement, Comstock said he welcomes the support of Democrats, Independents, Republicans and third-party voters. He said he will work to improve county representation for all District 1 residents, regardless of political affiliation.
“My candidacy has gained support from a broad base of voters throughout the First District ? including Democrats, Independents, Republicans and others. I am proud of my campaign”s efforts to communicate a message of change for county government ? using precinct walking, telephone calls, personal meetings and campaign mailings,” Comstock said.
Contact Tiffany Revelle at trevelle@record-bee.com, or call her directly at 263-5636 ext. 37.
