Janet Wolf Announces

[ Excerpted from SBN-P, 1/10/2005 ]

Wolf enters contest for 2nd District supervisor
By BARNEY McMANIGAL, NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER


Firing the first shot in what may be a crowded and contentious battle to succeed county Supervisor Susan Rose, Janet Wolf entered the race on Monday as a challenger best known for her high-level endorsements.

The former Goleta school board trustee kicked off her campaign by declaring that she has the experience and toughness to win the 2nd District seat coveted by at least three Democrats and one Republican.

Democrats Joe Guzzardi, a county Fire Department staffer, and Santa Barbara City Councilman Das Williams say they are close to formally launching their candidacies. Dr. Dan Secord, a Republican who will be termed-off the council this month, plans to declare formally tonight at a $100-per-plate fundraiser at Restaurant Nu.

Soft-spoken yet assured, Ms. Wolf enters the contest as a relative unknown, despite her 11 years on the school board and public support from many powerful Democrats, including Congresswoman Lois Capps, Ms. Rose, former county Supervisor Naomi Schwartz and 1st District Supervisor Salud Carbajal.

To the chagrin of Mr. Williams and Mr. Guzzardi, many party heavyweights have circled wagons around Ms. Wolf...

A candidate who captures more than 50 percent of the June 6 balloting would win the seat outright. If none triumphs in the technically nonpartisan race, the top two finishers would face off for a final November matchup.

Flanked by her supporters, family and friends, Ms. Wolf, 51, told an audience of about 100 at Tucker's Grove Park she would fight to protect neighborhoods, the environment and public safety...

Taking a page from Mr. Williams' playbook, Ms. Wolf placed the neighborhood's dilemma squarely on the shoulders of the current board majority of Supervisors Brooks Firestone, Joni Gray and Joe Centeno of the 3rd, 4th and 5th Districts...

Besides mentioning neighborhoods, Ms. Wolf and others peppered their speeches with references to her "maturity," a move that seemed aimed at Mr. Williams, whom party leaders have urged not to run.

Refusing to bow out, the 31-year-old has filed financial disclosure papers with the county, lined up campaign staff and sought major endorsements.

He could receive support from high places, as not all Democratic leaders support Ms. Wolf.

Mayor Marty Blum and council members Roger Horton, Grant House and Helene Schneider have pledged to endorse Mr. Williams. Council members Brian Barnwell and Iya Falcone back Ms. Wolf.

Former Assemblywoman Hannah-Beth Jackson -- who has not endorsed a candidate -- defended Mr. Williams, her former employee, against officials' description of him as "a young man in a hurry."

"We all have our passions, and I think Das is a passionate guy."

Mr. Williams, reached on his cell phone, said voters care more about fighting growth and overdevelopment in their neighborhoods than their candidate's age...


Santa Barbara News-Press