The folks over at Ballotpedia.com have been tracking California recalls for the last few years, and they show some interesting historical data on local city council races.
For example, of the 35 city councilmembers put on the ballot for recall since 2007, 32 were successfully removed from office.
2012 Recalls
2011 Recalls
Bell: Hernandez, Jacobo, Artiga, Mirabal
Hercules: Donald Kuehne and Joanne Ward
Point Arena: Riboli, Sinnott, Ingham
2010 Recalls
San Jacinto: Stubblefield, Mansperger, Potts and Ayres
Hughson: Thom Crowder, Doug Humphreys and Ben Manley
Dunsmuir: Peter Arth and Mario Rubino
Livingston: Daniel Varela and Martha Nateras
Montebello: Kathy Salazar and Robert Urteaga
Mission Viejo: Lance MacLean
Poway: Betty Rexford
Lake Elsinore: Thomas Buckley
2009 Recalls
San Fernando: Jose Hernandez and Julie Ruelas
Cotati: George Barich
Oceanside: Jerry Kern
San Jose: Madison Nguyen
2007 Recalls
Lynwood: Byrd, Pedroza, Johnson and Vasquez
That’s a 91% success rate for Californians who’ve sought to toss crummy councilmembers out of office mid-term. And only one of those cities had a recall preceded by a media storm as intense as Fullerton’s…that was the infamous city of Bell.
So I’d say things are looking up for the people of Fullerton. Still, I’ve got a hunch that the boys in the Recall mailroom will leave nothing to chance.
#1 by The Fullerton Harpoon on April 25, 2012
Those look like pretty good odds.
#2 by Johnny Donut on April 25, 2012
The unions already bet 35 grand on this race. I wonder if they’ll double down with these odds?
#3 by Joe Sipowicz on April 25, 2012
No way. The unions will wait for November and try to run their own slate in coordination with their pals Dick Ackerman and Ed Royce. The will try to replace reform councilmen with younger versions of the Three Rigid Reptiles.
#4 by truthseeker on April 25, 2012
I think with 15000 pissed off signatories they will have a hard time serving us up some empty suits. It will be, particulary difficult especially after the reform candidates are in office and have begun the cleanup process. At that point they will be incumbents and hopefully well known by their deeds at that point. I don’t think it is business as usual anymore in this town.
#5 by Lucky on April 25, 2012
we can sure hope!!! can’t wait to vote!
#6 by SherBear on April 25, 2012
The attitude I’ve noticed is that the recall is pretty much a given and the focus is on who their replacements will be. Even I, myself, have that mindset. But we need to keep the recall momentum going so people don’t shoot themselves in the foot by not bothering to vote because they think it’s a done deal.
I’m willing to sit at my signature gathering location the Fri, Sat, and Sun prior to the election and hand out recall flyers loaded with reasons for the recall. I encourage all my fellow signature gatherers to donate some time and man your former locations that weekend.
#7 by Pat McPension's Funny Hat on April 25, 2012
This is not good news. It almost makes me want to vote to recall myself now.
#8 by SherBear on April 25, 2012
(I’m having trouble posting this, it doesn’t seem to want to publish. If by chance there are multiple postings of this, Admin, please delete the extras.)
The attitude I’ve noticed is that the recall is pretty much a given and the focus is on who their replacements will be. Even I, myself, have that mindset. But we need to keep the recall momentum going so people don’t shoot themselves in the foot by not bothering to vote because they think it’s a done deal.
I’m willing to sit at my signature gathering location the Fri, Sat, and Sun prior to the election and hand out recall flyers loaded with reasons for the recall. I encourage all my fellow signature gatherers to donate some time and man your former locations that weekend.
#9 by buttonh00k on April 25, 2012
I would hope most recalls be successful. How much does it cost the city/taxpayers to have a recall? What? around $200,000? It better be dam worth it. In Fullerton’s case, what? about 17,000 people thought it was(signed the petition). To imagine what that means, I think Councilman Bankhead won his seat last time with around 13,000 votes. Sure looks like a slam dunk recall to me.
#10 by van get it da artiste on April 25, 2012
stick a fork in it, the evil triad are done
#11 by Lifesaving Service on April 25, 2012
Mc Satan being the probable leader and founder of a rogue sadistic domestic terrorist group, takes an attempt at the cover up of a murder with 50+ eye witnesses and 3 or more videos. Stupid enough to go on national TV, and bring in his 2 partners in the rape of a city by City Council vote, with the help of the 4th who is the weak Mayor. Their inaction and self pocketing self serving BS is the reason many outraged and dedicated Citizens have moved to action. Recall, to end the blatant lies, deceit, and evil.
Organized crime or Mafia need permission to kill, Approval and promotion of the highest crimes should be RECALLED.
They made history, that is enough.
#12 by Tuco Ramirez on April 25, 2012
In the Lynwood recall, most of the 4 councilmembers and mayor were under indictment for hands in cookie jar-itis. They would (among other things) charge the city twice for their junkets. Ya know like charge it on your city credit card and then when you return from your trip, charge it again to the city on your expense report!
Remember with a name like Tuco, Tuco Knows!
#13 by Nonya B on April 25, 2012
Didn’t I read about a councilwoman in the late 80s (help me with the name if you know this story) being recalled, and then because the city had chronic short term memory, they voted her back in less than a month later? How do we erase “brand loyalty” from voters? Most voters are under-informed at best, but for the most part are totally uninformed. They see a familiar name on the ballot and check it. My fear is the good citizens that signed all the petitions will ignorantly or innocently re-elect these douchebags? Ya’ll did a great job getting the message out there. Now how to make it stick?
#14 by Joe Sipowicz on April 26, 2012
That councilwoman was probably Don Bankhead. In 1994.
#15 by Short Man, Tall Boots on April 25, 2012
‘Tis a done deal.
#16 by My Cash Money Baby on April 26, 2012
What about South Gate recall?