Mark Simon

Jan 16, 2025 | smdailyjournal.com | Mark Simon

More commonly than you might think, people in politics live by a reality put succinctly once by Gov. Jerry Brown in acknowledging a significant shift on an issue: “That was then, this is now.”Or, as Ralph Waldo Emerson put it in slightly more words: “A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds.”Facts change, times change, public opinions change, and elected officials often need to change with them, even at the risk of appearing to flip-flop on an issue.

Jan 9, 2025 | smdailyjournal.com | Mark Simon

At this time of the political year, when new people are taking office and others are taking their leave, the pundit’s temptation is to say a new era is dawning. First, assuming my recollection is correct, always risky, this is the first time the board has an elected female majority, Gauthier and Speier joining Noelia Corzo on the board. Second, this is the first all-district-elected board.

Dec 5, 2024 | smdailyjournal.com | Mark Simon

Here we go. And now, after months of swirling crisis and controversy, it becomes a matter of practical politics. From that perspective, the effort to oust Corpus has some significant advantages working for it, and some significant challenges. Perhaps the most important advantage working for the yes side is the March 4 date of the election — an off-month in an off-year.

Nov 28, 2024 | smdailyjournal.com | Mark Simon

An effort is underway to organize a campaign to recall San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus out of concern a proposed charter amendment that would give the Board of Supervisors authority to oust the sheriff could face be too many political and legal hurdles. “Regardless of what the board does … it is important to proceed with a recall election,” said Jim Hartnett, former CEO of SamTrans and Caltrain and former Redwood City councilmember, who is facilitating the burgeoning recall endeavor.

Nov 21, 2024 | smdailyjournal.com | Mark Simon

After weeks of chaos and a whirlwind of rumors too goofy even to reprint, the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors has brought clarity and simplicity to the ongoing scandal involving Sheriff Christina Corpus. The vehicle for this is the call for a March 4 election on an amendment to the county charter. The measure is effectively crafted such that it will be an unequivocal, unmistakable vote on Corpus and her sad, disappointing and corrupt tenure. It is not a recall election.