HOW ABOUT MAYOR ANDERSON?
In the end, Evans’ “Fresno Power Analysis” is all about swaying voters. Not directly, but by inspiring those Democratic and progressive troops who do reach the people.
He sees his side as the underdog as we move into the 2016 campaign.
“We’re still not at the point where progressives and Democrats has sufficient influence over candidates to effectively drive the changes we want,” Evans said.
Voter turnout is always a worry.
“I’m a little concerned about next year because in 2014 the turnout was terrible,” Evans said. “From the local level, we have taken considerable steps to address some of these issues. But I get the feeling that statewide and nationally that has not been effectively done over the past year.
“That means our work is really going to be difficult in the next year. The good news is that, this being a national election, in my view we have far saner candidates than the other side. I think that is going to play-out in positive ways for us come November (2016). But we have to find ways to leverage that locally.”
We finished our chat with yet another look at the 2016 Fresno mayoral race, in particular whether Supervisor Perea is going to run.
“We would certainly like to see him run,” Evans said. “I think he can win. But the longer he waits, the more difficult it will be for him to do so.”
Would the Democrats/progressives like to see former Supervisor Susan Anderson run for mayor? After all, she was a strong ally of anti-privatization forces in the Measure G election. And surely the Left wouldn’t want a mayoral election with the only serious candidates being the trio of Lee Brand, H Spees and (maybe) Police Chief Jerry Dyer.
“I can’t talk to her because she’s not a Democrat,” Evans said.
I asked if some of Evans’ Democratic Party friends could talk to Anderson for him.
He corrected me.
“Other progressives are.”
