Saturday, Apr. 12, 2008

Denham launches defense against recall

Local officials say senator shouldn't be recalled

No brass bands, balloons or hoopla marked the launch of State Sen. Jeff Denham's latest political campaign Friday in Modesto. The event was somber, with a tinge of anger.

The campaign is to defeat an effort to have the Merced Republican recalled. The campaign to remove the senator, who represents the western part of Stanislaus County as well as Merced, San Benito and parts of Madera and Monterey counties, began in the aftermath of a battle over the state budget last summer. Democratic leaders singled out Denham for his vote against a budget proposal, and the recall effort qualified for the June 3 ballot last month.

A number of city and county officials and politicians showed up Friday morning at 1010 10th St. to support Denham.

Sheriff Adam Christianson praised Denham for his support of law enforcement issues and criticized the recall effort as "partisan politics."

"This is a public safety issue. I can't say enough about the support Sen. Denham has for law enforcement," Christianson said.

Turlock Mayor John Lazar, a Democrat, also decried the recall effort.

"I'm very disappointed in the power brokers in Sacramento trying to tell us who we can and cannot have as a representative," Lazar said. "The senator has done a wonderful job for the community and the city of Turlock."

Turlock City Councilman Ted Howze called the recall effort "a cruel joke on the people of this district."

"Sen. Denham is exactly what the voters in this district want. He told the truth -- the budget is a mess," Howze said.

Denham characterized the recall effort as an attempt to intimidate him into voting for something he didn't believe was good for the district.

"None of our elected officials should feel intimidated by someone outside the district," Denham said. He will continue to work with other senators throughout the state, Denham said, "But I won't be bullied."

Paul Hefner, a spokesman for the recall effort, said the campaign is not about intimidation. "It's an attempt to hold him accountable for saying one thing and doing another," Hefner said.

Hefner cited Denham saying he would not take pay raises and then taking them, and voicing support for fixing up schools and then voting against school bonds.

Simon Salinas, a Monterey County supervisor who is running to replace Denham if the recall is successful, said he is running to offer voters an option if they decide to turn Denham out of office.

As for the recall effort being intimidation and an abuse of the system, Salinas said Denham didn't make those arguments when he supported the recall of Democratic Gov. Gray Davis.

"There was no malfeasance there; they used that process to get (Davis) out of office," Salinas said.

Bee staff writer Tim Moran can be reached at tmoran@modbee.com or 578-2349.