 | DA recall fails [Times-Standard] |
By James Tressler The Times-Standard
Wednesday, March 03, 2004 -
EUREKA -- District Attorney Paul Gallegos successfully fought off a recall in Tuesday's election, ending one of the most controversial and divisive chapters in Humboldt County history.
Voters decisively rejected the recall by 61 percent to 39 percent, out of 50,498 votes cast.
Gallegos, surrounded by his wife, Joan, and legions of supporters who crowded into the Lost Coast Brewery, broke into a relieved smile as the results came in.
"It's time to put aside our petty quarrels and do what's right for the people of Humboldt County," Gallegos said. "Hopefully this election sends a message ... that at least in Humboldt County, we own our government."
Gallegos took office last January, after beating 20-year incumbent Terry Farmer in March 2002. One of Gallegos' first actions was to sue Pacific Lumber Co., alleging the company lied to state regulators during the 1999 Headwaters Forest deal. The recall movement started not long after the lawsuit was filed. Palco and its Houston owner, Maxxam Corp., put roughly a quarter-million dollars into the recall.
Assistant District Attorney Tim Stoen also attended the victory celebration at Lost Coast Brewery.
"This is the Lord's will honoring justice," Stoen said. "We're not only going to continue (the Palco lawsuit), we're going to win it."
Palco spokeswoman Erin Dunn could not be reached for comment.
Gallegos was also under fire by law enforcement unions, which accused him of being soft on crime and mishandling several cases. The district attorney stood on his record, maintaining that in his first year, criminal filings have increased, as well as the number of people sent to jail.
Many in law enforcement supported senior prosecutor Worth Dikeman as the replacement candidate. As expected, Dikeman finished strong. He got just under 21,200 votes, or 56 percent -- but still far short of the 32,000 people who voted no on the recall.
Dikeman's supporters, including his 94-year-old mother from Fairfield, gathered at the Carter House on Tuesday evening.
Dikeman said he was surprised at the wide margin by which the recall failed.
"I thought it was going to be closer," he said.
Still, the veteran prosecutor said he was prepared to go back to work this morning under Gallegos.
At least some of Dikeman's supporters are already suggesting that he run again in 2006.
"He has an extremely dedicated campaign staff that would be happy to work with him again," said Suzie Owsley of the Eureka Police Department.
Arcata civil attorney Steven Schectman, a Gallegos champion, finished second with 9,205 votes, or 24 percent. Schectman celebrated with Gallegos supporters at the brewery.
"This was a community effort," Schectman said.
Former prosecutor Gloria Albin Sheets, a staunch Gallegos critic who favored the recall, brought up the rear with 4,841, or 13 percent. Albin Sheets could not be reached for comment.
Sara Watson Arthurs contributed to this story.
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