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Democrat Official’s Letter Accuses Jordan of Working for ... Republicans
Some Democrats in the 35th Assembly District recently received a letter that questioned candidate Susan Jordan’s business experience.
In the letter, Alexandra Gallardo-Rooker calls out Jordan for her work at Dresner, Sykes, Jordan & Townsend, a research and consulting firm now doing business as Dresner, Wickers & Associates LLC. The letterhead listed Gallardo-Rooker’s title as vice chairwoman of the California Democratic Party, but it was not a party communication.
According to state Democratic Party communications director Tenoch Flores, the letter must have been sent out by Gallardo-Rooker as an individual, and the letterhead may have been on her personal stationery. Click here to download the mailing.
It’s not clear how many people received the letter, but a copy was sent to Noozhawk on Tuesday.
Gallardo-Rooker says she feels obligated to “root out the falsehoods, dishonesty, innuendo and dirty tricks” in order to elect strong Democratic leaders. Gallardo-Rooker has endorsed Jordan’s opponent, Santa Barbara City Councilman Das Williams, in the June 8 primary for the seat currently held by Jordan’s husband, Assemblyman Pedro Nava, D-Santa Barbara. Nava is barred by term limits from running again and is now a candidate for state attorney general.
In the letter, Gallardo-Rooker implies that Jordan used to be a consultant to Republicans. The firm is now the “go-to political consulting firm for Republican candidates, ballot initiatives and major trade organizations,” although then-Arkansas Gov. Bill Clinton and other prominent Democrats were clients when Jordan first came on board.
Jordan was not aware of the letter when contacted Tuesday morning, but she told Noozhawk she has heard that opponents were claiming she was a Republican consultant. The claims are “preposterous,” she said, and misrepresent her work at the firm as she never had a political client.
During her work at the firm from 1980 to 1994, Jordan said she met with commercial clients — such as hospitals, technology companies and then-fledgling cable TV networks like HBO — and conducted market-research study polls for them.
By not disclosing the firm’s name on her campaign site, Gallardo-Rooker wrote in the letter, Jordan deceived voters and misrepresented her own business experience.
“Since Susan Jordan is hiding the facts and mischaracterizing her qualifications for office, I felt it was my duty to share the full story,” said Gallardo-Rooker, citing the company’s work on behalf of then-Gov. Pete Wilson and former Rep. Robert J. Lagomarsino, R-Santa Barbara, and other Republicans.
Jordan disputes the characterization.
“I’m proud of the work I did with this firm,” Jordan said. “I’m the only candidate in this race with that kind of business experience.”
Click here for Jordan’s resume — complete with her years at Dresner, Sykes, Jordan & Townsend — from UCSB’s Bren School of Environmental Science and Management.
— Noozhawk staff writer Giana Magnoli can be reached at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
Comments
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» on 02.10.10 @ 12:37 AM
Wow! Shocking to hear that “democrat” Susan Jordan would have worked for one of the most horrible REPUBLICAN governors we’ve ever had.
» on 02.10.10 @ 04:01 AM
How far will Das Willliams stoop to get elected? His operation has spit out some pretty snarky press releases but now he’s getting his endorsees to write pieces of pure fiction. Reminds me of the campaign waged by his mentor HBJ’s nemesis Tony Strickland.
Did Rooker mention that Eric Bauman, the vice-chair of the CA Democratic Party had endorsed Jordan?
Jordan never had a political client at the firm. She worked in the commercial arm of the company.
But I suppose in Das’ far-left liberal brain having actual business experience in the real world must seem pretty out there. And this just shows you how his operation thinks. “Hey I have an idea! Let’s try to damage Jordan by showing that might’ve had something to do with bipartisanship.”
Hyperpartisans like Das need to stay in Santa Barbara where they can do no statewide damage.
» on 02.10.10 @ 11:08 AM
......really stooping to new lows, eh——I’m amazed that even YOU would allow such tactics. but then again-you, are YOU, so what else is there?
» on 02.10.10 @ 12:24 PM
Das campaign goin’ dirty! Well, I don’t know if this hurts Ms. Jordan. The article says Democrats were clients too when she worked there. In the real world, Democrats, Republicans, and even Green Party members all mix together in workplaces, non-profit groups, 12-Step groups, PTA.
It’s an attack on Jordan. Why didn’t Alexandra Two-Names release a statement about why she supports Williams? He has a record of accomplishment. Let’s hear about that. Too early for negativity in the campaign season, people!
» on 02.10.10 @ 12:31 PM
and didn’t skip “the real world”....
» on 02.10.10 @ 01:35 PM
The law firm where Jordan worked up through 1994 now has Republican clients we are not supposed to like, even though none of Jordan’s clients from back then are on that list.
Nevertheless, Alexandra Gallardo-Rooker, a bigwig of the California Democratic Party who has endorsed Das Williams, is now throwing a four-page hissy fit because of this. Who really cares about this except for Republicans hoping for a Democratic intramural food fight?
How will Alexandra Gallardo-Rooker expect to operate as a Democratic Party bigwig after Jordan gets elected to the State Assembly? Did Das Williams encourage her to trash Jordan like this?
And what was Das Williams doing in his life from 1980 to 1994?
Just what is “Hawks Nest” as a placement for this at Noozhawk?
Is this a news article or is it an editorial? Why doesn’t this include a comment by Das Williams to stand by what his supporter is spreading around?
Many questions arise for the WTF.
» on 02.10.10 @ 01:45 PM
In an apparent effort to smear his opponent Williams has instead spurred a story highlighting Jordan’s business credentials, which appear pretty solid.
» on 02.10.10 @ 03:00 PM
Das is desperate!
Das is desperate!!
Das is desperate!!!
Das is desperate!!!!
Das is desperate!!!!!
» on 02.10.10 @ 03:19 PM
Susan jordan is PROUD to have worked for Pete Wilson!!
» on 02.10.10 @ 03:23 PM
Working for Pete Wilson and Lagormasino is not the kind of business experience we need in the assembly
» on 02.10.10 @ 04:00 PM
Susan Jordan is a top-notch, bright, dedicated, civic-minded professional.
So is young Das Williams.
And even though he’s spent most of his “fiscal conservative” life supping heartily at the public trough, so is Mike Stoker.
Any of these three would be true pearls that our district would cast before the
Legislature’s swine this November.
But…
Instead of getting hobbled by these orchestrated “letters” and “leaks” from the Nava/ Jordan campaigns, or the Williams campaign, or the Stoker campaign,
why don’t we all step back and ask each of them how they would address/solve the State’s overwhelming problems?
Anyone notice that, apart from her expensive infomercials, Meg Whitman refuses to
meet people or the press in open settings? Who knows what we’d get if we vote for
her ... or any of the local candidates, unless they articulate specifics?
After all, the reason to elect one of them to “represent” US is for them to be able to
help meet OUR needs, and solve OUR problems, not provide them full employment
with a good public benefit package.
Until then, please. Let’s not get diverted by these red-herrings or mud-slinging.
» on 02.10.10 @ 04:22 PM
Jordan never represented Pete Wilson or Lagormasino or Lagomarsino.
This is becoming an exercise in advanced studies of accumulating bovine fecal matter. This is the Das Williams campaign at its finest.
» on 02.10.10 @ 04:39 PM
This is so cool, just like the open secret of Das Williams leading the smears and whispering campaign against Iya Falcone in 2005!
» on 02.10.10 @ 06:37 PM
Making money off of electing people like Pete Wilson is hardly a solid business credential. How can we trust her when she has never been honest or truthful about her past?
» on 02.10.10 @ 07:01 PM
Mike Stoker must be smiling right now. It’s this type of campaigning that really turns off voters.
Let’s see if we can have a campaign pledge to talk about issues…
Please….............
» on 02.10.10 @ 07:42 PM
Besides the fact, again, that Jordan never represented Pete Wilson, we also should know that her mother wears army boots.
» on 02.10.10 @ 08:31 PM
Seriously I miss the fact the budget was actually balanced during Pete Wilsons time other than don’t miss him. I won’t vote for Jordon simply because I dislike the job her husband has done, so yeah Das may be slime but thats still better than a Nava legacy.
» on 02.12.10 @ 03:26 PM
Formal Statement regarding the misleading mailer by Alex Gallardo Rooker, member of the CA Democratic Party:
I am deeply saddened that Alexandra Gallardo-Rooker, who has endorsed my opponent in the Democratic primary, would under the guise of providing information, deliberately mislead voters into thinking I was a Republican campaign strategist. Nothing is further from the truth. This is just another in a series of misleading and baseless attacks by my opponent and his campaign consultants.
My resume is perfectly clear, and my support of Democratic candidates, causes and values is unwavering.
In 1980, in my 30s, I began as a commercial market research analyst at a consulting firm. I worked in the business division doing businessl research and strategic development for groups like St. Lukes Hospital Center, the Greater New York Hospital Association, the Museum of Modern Art, and Home Box Office. I conducted over 250 market research studies for companies across the United States. I did not, at any time, during the 14 years I was with the firm work on any political campaigns for Democratic or Republican candidates.
When I joined the firm, all of the principals were Democrats and I was proud to be associated with the firm that ran Bill Clinton’s campaign for Governor of Arkansas and represented strong progressive Democratic leaders like Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan. The Rooker piece deliberately omitted information from the resume she cited that clearly stated that I only did business research and consulting - not political campaigns.
In 1996, I co-founded Vote the Coast and since that time have volunteered to elect strong Democratic candidates up and down the state including Debra Bowen, Hannah-Beth Jackson, and Alan Lowenthal. In 2006, I served as a top environmental advisor to former State Treasurer Phil Angelides campaign for Governor against Arnold Schwarzenegger.
I am proud that, unlike my opponents, Democrat or Republican, I have had the benefit of a strong career in business so I can tackle the problems California faces in restoring its economy and bringing jobs back to CA. I know what it means to be responsible for a payroll, ensuring workers have health benefits, and paying a decent wage.
This type of “guilt by association” has no place in politics. I look forward to a vigorous campaign on the issues. I hope my opponent changes course and decides to do the same.
» on 02.13.10 @ 12:46 AM
This reeks of Das’ handiwork.
Susan, you have my vote!!!
This stunt has cost Das the election.
» on 02.13.10 @ 03:40 AM
I meet Jordan and her husband Nava at the Democratic picnic here in town. I have to say both of them rubbed me the wrong way. Pedro comes off as slimy. She comes off as slimy and like she has plastic face. Where she will look at you and talk all nice and then turn around and talk about you behind your back or straight lie to you. I know nothing of this Daz guy really.
I am so feed up with politicians and there double speak and lies. I honestly wish we could get rid of them all and start over. If she did anything with WILSON she is even slimmer then I thought.
» on 02.13.10 @ 12:30 PM
HyperParisanism is ruining our city, county, state, and country. Vote against hyperpartisans of all persuasions.
» on 02.15.10 @ 04:34 PM
Take your country and state back from the union puppets—
The unions have been steeling for us hard working tax payers—union shills in office..
KO
» on 02.16.10 @ 01:19 AM
If you want more of the same garbage SB County has been getting from the likes of Capps…just vote for this boy Das.
» on 02.17.10 @ 01:41 PM
This attack is a perfect example of the dysfunction in Sacramento. Somewhere along the line, “representation” morphed from representing the constiuents in a local district to representing the party affiliation. The constiuents are made up of all parties and they elect a representative by a majority vote. But that representative is sent to Sacramento to represent the local district NOT the Democratic or Republican party. Time for a return to civics (and civility).
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