With recent campaign disclosures coming to light I, like I\u2019m assuming many readers, was gobsmacked. And as I watched Sean Trambley supporters attempt to normalize a combined $10,800 contribution from a single business entity, I was further incredulous. Why? Because of the political norms long established in the city of Martinez.<\/p>\n

Let me explain. A political norm, as defined by\u00a0Politico<\/a>, are the unwritten rules and conventions that shape political behavior. In Martinez that looks like campaign watchdogs calling into question campaign donations exceeding $500 per corporate or special interest group donor. Alarming headlines in publications such as the Contra Costa Times, proclaiming \u201cProperty owners, labor unions shower incumbents with campaign cash in Martinez<\/a>\u201d served to reinforce our understanding of these norms.<\/p>\n

They also help residents spot outliers, the things that are vastly different from the norm, like a $10,800 corporate contribution when the average is closer to $500. The divergence from the norm in such glaring terms opens a whole host of questions that only you, dear reader, can answer for yourself.<\/p>\n

To my friend Tom G \u2013 \u00a0I really tried to sit on my hands, but after the campaign finance disclosures I simply could not.<\/p>\n

Martinez – if you haven\u2019t already, choose our next Mayor wisely.<\/p>\n

– Linda Meza<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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