Is This The Next Governor?
Registrar Expects 100 Candidates
POSTED: 2:51 p.m. PDT July 31, 2003
UPDATED: 11:36 a.m. PDT August 1, 2003
SAN DIEGO -- Dozens of would-be governors from all around California are gathering signatures to put their names on the recall-election ballot.
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The unprecedented election gives each of them a singular opportunity for fame and political fortune. If the governor is recalled, then whoever gets the most votes from a list of candidates on the ballot becomes the new governor -- no matter what percentage of votes they receive. It seems certain that local Rep. Darryl Issa will run, as will former Los Angeles Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan, who lost the 2000 Republican gubernatorial primary to businessman Bill Simon. Simon also has reportedly picked up recall-election nominating papers. But what about Brian Tracy, Maria Scholl-Smith or Roger Willoughby? All a candidate has to do to have his or her name placed on the ballot for the recall election is to either come up with 10,000 signatures, or 65 signatures and $3,500. So far, there are 20 names from San Diego County alone who have taken out the nominating papers, men and women from very diverse segments of the community. Badi Badiozamani (pictured, left), an entrepreneur, author and scholar, said he was going to run.
"I'm setting history," said Badiozamani. "I'm the first Persian-American ever to run for governor in the United States of America."
Some of the other candidates, such as San Diego's George Schwartzman -- and Simon and Riordan, for that matter -- are businessmen.
San Diego Registrar of Voters Sally McPherson said there may be as many as 250 names on the ballot, and they're all going to be looking for votes.
Richard E. Peck (pictured, right), a contractor by profession, is in the race, and he's serious.
"This is very serious," said Peck. "Any time I spend $3,500, it's serious."
The big names have big money and resources that can help them to get their names known to voters, but with maybe a hundred names on the ballot, it's possible that a Badio Badiozamani could end up in the governor's mansion. What would he do if he were to be called to Sacramento?
"The first thing I do is cut my salary by 50 percent -- to set an example," said Badiozamani.
Peck said that his day job now involves repairing things and that he can fix what's wrong in the Capitol.
"I'm good with people, generally," said Peck, laughing.
On the other hand, it's possible that Peck and some of the lesser-known candidates might have some political shortcomings. For example, he did not know who the majority leader of the California Senate was, which might be annoying to John Burton and the Democrats.
Something else might irritate them as well. The Democrats were supposed to be united, with no Democrats appearing on the ballot, but at least seven Democrats in San Diego are interested in becoming the next governor of California.
On Tuesday, a Democratic Party worker told NBC 7/39's Ken Kramer that she was getting the phone numbers of the local Democrats who were contemplating a run so she could request that they give up on the idea.
Of course, just because somebody has taken out papers doesn't mean they're on the ballot. They have to come up with the signatures and, if necessary, the money, but it's possible that hundreds of people, men and women, your local bartender, the guy who lives down the street, could be running for governor.
For example, there's a TV announcer who works for PBS -- he's taken out papers.
The person who wins -- and it only takes one more vote more than anybody else received -- is governor.
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The unprecedented election gives each of them a singular opportunity for fame and political fortune. If the governor is recalled, then whoever gets the most votes from a list of candidates on the ballot becomes the new governor -- no matter what percentage of votes they receive. It seems certain that local Rep. Darryl Issa will run, as will former Los Angeles Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan, who lost the 2000 Republican gubernatorial primary to businessman Bill Simon. Simon also has reportedly picked up recall-election nominating papers. But what about Brian Tracy, Maria Scholl-Smith or Roger Willoughby? All a candidate has to do to have his or her name placed on the ballot for the recall election is to either come up with 10,000 signatures, or 65 signatures and $3,500. So far, there are 20 names from San Diego County alone who have taken out the nominating papers, men and women from very diverse segments of the community. Badi Badiozamani (pictured, left), an entrepreneur, author and scholar, said he was going to run.
"I'm setting history," said Badiozamani. "I'm the first Persian-American ever to run for governor in the United States of America."
Some of the other candidates, such as San Diego's George Schwartzman -- and Simon and Riordan, for that matter -- are businessmen.
San Diego Registrar of Voters Sally McPherson said there may be as many as 250 names on the ballot, and they're all going to be looking for votes.
Richard E. Peck (pictured, right), a contractor by profession, is in the race, and he's serious.
"This is very serious," said Peck. "Any time I spend $3,500, it's serious."
The big names have big money and resources that can help them to get their names known to voters, but with maybe a hundred names on the ballot, it's possible that a Badio Badiozamani could end up in the governor's mansion. What would he do if he were to be called to Sacramento?
"The first thing I do is cut my salary by 50 percent -- to set an example," said Badiozamani.
Peck said that his day job now involves repairing things and that he can fix what's wrong in the Capitol.
"I'm good with people, generally," said Peck, laughing.
On the other hand, it's possible that Peck and some of the lesser-known candidates might have some political shortcomings. For example, he did not know who the majority leader of the California Senate was, which might be annoying to John Burton and the Democrats.
Something else might irritate them as well. The Democrats were supposed to be united, with no Democrats appearing on the ballot, but at least seven Democrats in San Diego are interested in becoming the next governor of California.
On Tuesday, a Democratic Party worker told NBC 7/39's Ken Kramer that she was getting the phone numbers of the local Democrats who were contemplating a run so she could request that they give up on the idea.
Of course, just because somebody has taken out papers doesn't mean they're on the ballot. They have to come up with the signatures and, if necessary, the money, but it's possible that hundreds of people, men and women, your local bartender, the guy who lives down the street, could be running for governor.
For example, there's a TV announcer who works for PBS -- he's taken out papers.
The person who wins -- and it only takes one more vote more than anybody else received -- is governor.Copyright 2003 by NBCSandiego.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
