Jon Fleishman’s proposal prohibiting Decline to State (DTS) and Independent voters from participating in the Republican Party primary is foolish and short-sighted. Moreover, it could potentially lead to legal action being taken against the party.
I simply cannot understand why Jon and other Republican activists want to destroy the California Republican Party. Our current party stance of “exclude everyone” is simply unsustainable. But Jon would rather be a loud voice in a party of few than a quiet voice in a party of many. Any true party activist should want to promote the future of our party, not destroy it. Only someone motivated by his own self-interest would rather promote himself over the future of the party.
We all know that a growing number of voters are choosing to register DTS or Independent. Party affiliation is waning. Voters want a choice. But it seems like the Democrats are the only ones who are giving voters any choice in voting. They understand that it is party suicide to exclude over twenty percent of the voting public in their primary elections.
Jon has told members of the media that DTS voters “taint” the California Republican Party primary elections. That is no way to attract DTS and Independent voters. Do you really think that if you tell someone they are not worthy of voting for you in June that they will turn around and support you in November?
We spend millions of dollars in the general election convincing DTS and Independent voters that our party supports. But just six months earlier we tell them they are not welcome in our party primary. If we can attract more voters in the primary, it will be easier to get Republicans elected statewide in the general election.
Jon is allegedly worried that the inclusion of DTS and Independent voters in our primary election will result in more moderates winning primary elections. Nothing could be further from the truth. Other states like Texas and Mississippi, who have no party affiliation, have elected conservatives like Rick Perry and Haley Barber, respectively. Qualified and quality candidates can and will win regardless of whether DTS and Independent voters participate in the primary.
Jon’s proposal will also turn away more and more donors from our party. All businesses employ DTS and Independent voters. Why would they donate money to a political party that excludes many of their own employees? No business wants to support a party that alienates its employees.
What’s worse, Jon’s nativist proposal leaves the party vulnerable to legal action. As I told him in a letter last week, I’m concerned that his proposal raises serious legal issues related to ballot access. The party would essentially be demanding tax dollars be used to finance an election in which less than 36 percent of the electorate can participate. I believe that a DTS, Independent or Democrat voter could bring a legal challenge against our party. Why should all taxpayers have to pay for an election in which only a small minority can participate?
Jon’s proposal is foolish and simply self-promotion. It is symbolic of everything wrong with our state party. Republican activists should be offended by Jon’s motion, which will only make it harder for a Republican to win in a statewide election. Jon wants to weaken the party so that he can remain relevant. I want to strengthen the party so we sustain a viable two-party system in California.
And I’m not alone in my belief. Gubernatorial candidates Meg Whitman and Tom Campbell oppose Jon’s proposal. Both the Assembly and Senate Republican caucuses have come out in opposition to it as well. This isn’t about “moderate” or “conservative” candidates; this is about the future of our party.
I hope everyone at the upcoming Republican Convention joins this diverse coalition of Republicans committed to the continuation of the California Republican Party.
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