By Anonymous – August 31, 2024
CALLS INTO QUESTION FAIRNESS IN CANDIDATE ENDORSEMENT PROCESS
In a recent development that has raised eyebrows and sparked controversy, the local Republican Central Committee has come under fire for allegedly violating the Political Reform Act. The situation involves around the questionable actions of Tonya Pearcey, the acting president of the Republican Central Committee, who is accused of selectively distributing candidate endorsement packets, thus undermining the integrity of the endorsement process.
According to Pearcey, she received orders from Karen Sanders former President, who now resides over 3000 miles away from Del Norte County, to send endorsement packets to all Republican Candidates. However, it has come to light that Pearcey did not fulfill this directive as intended. Instead, she allegedly sent endorsement packets to only three candidates out of four candidates, Specifically, those who Sanders favored.
The most reliable omission was Harbor Candidate Linda Sutter, who did not receive an endorsement packet. When confronted about this, Pearcey initially claimed that all Republican Candidates had been sent the necessary materials via email. However, when asked to provide proof of sending the packet to Sutter, Pearcey backtracked, admitting, “Oh, I guess I didn’t send it. Oh well, it’s a done deal now.”
This revelation has raised serious concerns about the transparency and fairness of the endorsement process within the local GOP. The deliberate exclusion of a candidate from the endorsement process not only violates the principles of fair play but also breaches the Political Reform Act, which is designed to ensure that voters have equitable access to all candidates.
The situation has also cast doubt on Pearcey’s suitability to public office. Pearcey, who is currently acting as the president of the Republican Central Committee, has filed papers to run for a position on the Health District Board. Critics argue that if she is willing to engage in such questionable practices over candidate endorsements, it raises the question of what she might do if elected to a more significant role.
Adding the controversy is the role of Karen Sanders, who, despite no longer residing in California, appears to wield significant influence over the local GOP’s endorsement process. Her continued involvement in the committee’s affairs from afar has led to questions about the appropriateness and legality of her influence.
As the situation unfolds, it has become increasingly clear that the local GOP needs to reassess its practices and commitment to fairness. The blatant disregard for the Political Reform Act and the principles of transparency has left many questioning the integrity of those in leadership positions within the party. The actions of Pearcey and Sanders serve as a stark reminder of the importance of accountability and the need for common sense in political processes.
Linda, as a candidate for harbor commission along with you, I eagerly await the November election. We must all work together. The more I know you, the more I like you, and the more I realize how essential you have been in our community. After the election I would like to spend time with you to help you tune up your tool box with respect to the California Public Records Act, and the Brown Act, along with other policies that guide the public right to know about, and influence local government.
Your energy and ambition is a precious resource that should be highly valued.. but sadly, your effectiveness can get lost in the style in which your message is covered. “LET REGAN BE REAGAN” was often uttered by Reagan supporters who recognized that a great message and valuable contribution could easily get lost or diluted when opponents also have control over the public discourse. I say, “LET LINDA BE LINDA, but let’s help her do her job more effectively.
Please get over your squabble elite Tonya Pearcey. She is doing the best she can in a very challenging environment. You will need Tonya in the future, and the local GOP will certainly need you. As my old parish priest use to say, “Look for the good, and praise it.”
I look forward to our future meeting knowing that much good will come from it.
Thank you Dan for the kind words. Just to recap what I have accomplished this past year by not understanding the Brown Act and public records request act; in September it took me all but 3 weeks to get harbormaster Tim Petrick to resign for misuse of public funds. It took one year for me to dissolve the Tri-Agency. Both entities violated the Brown Act and the California Public Records Act. This past year has been very educational. As a Commissioner together we can make a difference by conducting our due diligence and assuring the public funds are used in a proper manner. The sad truth about the current commissioners is none of them had the wherewithal to conduct their jobs as commissioners. Two people are supposed to sign any check before paying their bills however Tim Petrick was the only signature on paying the credit card circumventing the Commissioners and none of them were assertive enough to question this matter. For years. Whether I win this election or not I will continue to pursue justice. Although the Republicans continue to slap me in the face, I offer the other cheek because it’s better to do the right thing than nothing at all.
I am writing in response to the article – LOCAL GOP VIOLATES POLITICAL REFORM ACT, CALLS INTO QUESTION FAIRNESS IN CANDIDATE ENDORSEMENT PROCESS from Aug 31, 2024.
There are many points I need to address. Firstly, I have combed through the Political Reform Act of both 1974 and 2024, and I can’t see anywhere that my local GOP or I violated any portion of that Act. I would love for you to cite the specific portion that you feel was violated, please.
There was no controversy nor anything nefarious, no investigation or “fact-finding” involved whatsoever. You (L. Sutter) came to me at Farmer’s Market at our booth and she asked Why you didn’t get an endorsement packet. I was so certain that ALL the Republican candidates for Harbor District were sent one, that I pulled out my phone and scrolled up my emails to show her that I had sent her one.
I hadn’t… I apologized sincerely to her. I’m still not sure why it wasn’t sent. But I had to even look up her email address in my personal address book because I didn’t have it in the GOP address book.
On to the next issue… RE: Karen Sanders. Karen was the previous Chair for 10 years. Of course, she passed down information about the many duties and responsibilities of leading the GOP. She still maintains an Advisory position on our Central Committee and attends the meetings remotely, but she has no vote in any decision-making.
This statement and quote is false. Pearcey backtracked, admitting, “Oh, I guess I didn’t send it. Oh well, it’s a done deal now.”. I did say, “Oh, I guess it didn’t get sent.” The “Oh well, it’s a done deal now. “was never uttered by me. When she asked if she could get one now, I told her that the application period had ended, and the meeting /vote had already happened. The DNRCC Bylaws were followed in all proceedings.
Another correction would be that I have served on the Healthcare District Board for the last four years and am currently running unopposed for my second term. I have ran and secured my seat on the Central Committee for multiple terms and currently serve as Chairwoman in both positions. As to Anonymous… I’m not afraid to put my name to my words.
Linda, I’m venturing a guess that you wrote this column. There is no doubt you should have received a packet if they were handed out. It seems the best way to handle that would be through the Registrar when election papers are filed. Don’t know what happened there.
What I do know is that no one is perfect. Maybe there was a simple error in sending out. When you asked about the packet, did they give you one?
You write often about how screwed up this county is. Attacking fellow Republicans via social media that share your core values is not a recommended way to go about working towards fixing it.
Attacking Republicans isn’t the way to go about resolving their corrupt practices? HA…
The person’s responsible are Karen Sanders AND Tonya Pearcey. If they don’t like the smear of their corrupt practices then they should do the right thing. It just goes to show how vindictive they are towards strong women who make a difference in the community. It also goes to show particularly in this county that if you’re not married you’re disparately treated as an outcast for years. Let’s show their true colors instead of turning a blind eye and quietly sweeping it under the rug. It’s just like when a former director of Harrington house filed sexual harassment against Scott Feller a Republican President of the Central Committee. Karen Sanders was instrumental in covering this case up. Scott Feller moved, Sanders became central committee President, the former director got paid, and the corruption continues with Tonya Pearcey. If the local Republicans don’t like to see their dirty laundry aired in a public forum maybe they should straighten up and turn their inmate knitted caps in for a crown.