Monday, February 29, 2016

Florida: Brandenton Beach Mayor to appear on Chelsea Handler show

The Mayor, William Shearon, was kicked out in a recall by his Vice Mayor, and then reclaimed the office after tying in the general election and winning a high card pick.

Key NRA members back Norquist in recall effort for the NRA Board

Here

California: A look at the 1925 Anaheim City Council "KKK" recall

A street brawl featuring Klu Klux Klan members and a number of counter-protesters (who ended up stabbed and arrested) has led to articles looking back to a famous recall fight in 1925. Four of the five members of the Anaheim City Council were members of the Klan, and they had the support of Anaheim's leading newspaper (the Plain Dealer). But on election day in February 1925, all four of the Klan councilmen were kicked out, with margins over 500 votes. The only anti-Klan member recall failed. Turnout was an amazing 95%.

Non-Recall Op-ed on Super Delegates in CNBC

Here

Sunday, February 28, 2016

New York: Discussion of new Municipal Drug Policy strategy leads to calls for recall of Mayor

Mayor Svante Myrick is facing calls for recall over a new municipal drug strategy (which includes a supervised injection facility), leading to some calls for a recall. The fact that NY doesn't have a recall law will be a bit of hindrance here.

Oregon: Signatures verified in Cannon Beach Rural Fire Protection Board recalls

The recalls against three Cannon Beach Rural Fire Protection District Board Members, Linda Beck-Sweeney, Garry Smith and Sharon Clyde, all got on the ballot with 126 signatures. They needed 125.

The issue was the firing of the fire chief, who is currently suing the board for $677,000.

Arizona: New effort on to recall Central Arizona College Governing Board President

Another attempt is being made to kick out Gladys Christensen for her support for a $33 million bond. Previously, a recall against board member Rita Nader led to Nader's resignation.

Wisconsin: Man arrested for multple votes in Recall races sentenced to a year

Robert Monroe, who voted for Scott Walker five times, as well as some other illegal extra votes, received a year in jail (six months without work release), five years probation, 300 hours of community service and a $5000 fine.

Friday, February 26, 2016

Michigan: Petition over Flint water crisis in Michigan approved against Snyder

Here -- second one they have out there.

New Mexico: Allegations of dirty tactics in Las Cruces recall effort

Here

Texas: More on the Judicial action in Floresville recall

Still waiting to see if the judge will issue a writ of mandamus to force the recall of Mayor Sherry Castillo and Councilmen Juan Ortiz and Daniel Tejada.

Washington: Central Washington Student Body President facing recall

This is against President Ryan Anderson, who is accused of overstepping his bounds as president and having a lack of involvement with the staff. They need about 1200 signatures (75% of turnout).

California: Recalled Carson City Clerk now looking to run for mayor

City Clerk Jim Dear, who was removed from office on Tuesday, is now considering running for mayor. Dear had previously served as a three-term mayor before hoping over to the City Clerk job (which paid a lot more). The current mayor and two council members (plus a former mayor) are cited as being "ecstatic" that Dear was removed, though the vote was very close.

Idaho: Boise County Clerk facing petitions

Boise County Clerk Mary Prisco is facing a signature gathering effort over two investigations over theft from the city. Tow county employees were fired after $1700 in cash went missing, and after an office employee took nearly $47000. Petitioners include former commissioners. Petitioners need about 900 signatures in 75 days.

Oregon: Columbia River Utility District Director survives recall

Director Craig Melton survived the recall vote 966-577.

California: Morgan Hill School Board recall fails

The effort to recall Morgan Hill School Board President Bob Benevento has failed, with petitioners not filing the 6000 signatures needed to keep him out. The issue was his support of the superintendent and different behavioral issues. Benevento is facing a vote in November.

Oregon: Recall effort against Josephine County Commissioner dropped for now

The effort to recall Commissioner Simon Hare after he received a DUII in December has been put off untul after the next election.

Arizona: Petitioners hand in signatures against Vernon Fire District Members

Signatures were submitted against Steve Miller and Dorothy O'Donnell over what seems like a raise for the fire chief.

Wisconsin: Clark County Sheriff facing petitions

Clark County Sheriff Greg Herrick is facing petitions over a claim that he didn't enforce husbandry law -- one was over a legal battle over his purchasing a truck without the Clark County Law Enforcement Committee's approval, the other is his stating that he wouldn't enforce a portion of the Husbandry law because he thought it was unconstitutional. The lead petitioner was a write-in candidate against Herrick in 2010 and has been in the news for posting racist signs.

Petitioners need 2848 signatures in 60 days (25% of gubernatorial turnout).

Idaho: West Ada Superintendent's contract is renewed, no additional members resigned

Here

Texas: Petitioners handed in 5300 signatures in Austin Council recall

Petitioners handed in about 5300 signatures in the recall of Councilwoman Ann Kitchen, which is 10% more than the 4800 they need to get on the ballot. Due to the particularity of the law, which gives the county clerk 20 days to verify, the council won't decided to hold the recall until March 18. They therefore may be able to put it off till the November election.

The leaders of the recall have finally gone public, claiming the idea has been discussed for years, though it is clearly about the background checks for ride sharing employees.

Wednesday, February 24, 2016

California: Carson City Clerk kicked out in recall vote

Carson City Clerk (and former Mayor) Jim Dear lost his recall vote, with 53.8% voting for removal. Turnout was 16%. Dear is being replaced by Donesia Gause, who lost the City Clerk race to Dear in March 2015. Gause is not on the City Council and will have to resign that position to take the Clerk's position.

Among the facts of note here is that Dear was handing out $5 food gift cards as "voter incentives."

Tuesday, February 23, 2016

California: LA's long history of failed recalls

The recall attempt against Los Angeles City Councilman Paul Krekorian may have missed a big deadline (though that is up for debate). This article notes the difficult of recall campaigns in the city. The last council or mayor member to be removed was Mayor Frank Shaw (the L.A. Confidential recall) in 1938.

The last time there was an actual vote was 1984, against Councilman Arthur Snyder. He survived, but resigned the next year in a custody battle.

The last school board member to be removed was Howard Miller in 1979 over busing issues.

The attempt against Councilman Jack Weiss in 2007 fell a little bit short of the 23000 signatures -- Weiss managed to raise $68,000 to fight the recall. The story also notes the failed effort against Councilwoman Janice Hahn in 2010.


Idaho: Board cancels meeting for replacement of West Ada school board member

Following the resignation of board member Julie Madsen, there was a concern of a cascade of timed resignations for the West Ada recall. The theory was that four board members facing recalls would have timed their resignations to allow their own supporters on the board to effectively choose their replacement. This idea seems to have already fallen through, as the board meeting yesterday was cancelled over issues of notice.

Monday, February 22, 2016

California: Upland Mayor recall fails

Petitioners, led by former City Manager Stephen Dunn, failed to get enough signatures to get a recall on the ballot against Mayor Ray Musser. Petitioners claims to collect about 4400 signatures -- they needed more than 7800 signatures. The issue was the removal of buyout of Dunn's contract (which apparently cost $500,000) and the removal of school crossings that they claim led to the death of a child.

Michigan: Signatures set to be gathered in Snyder recall; Five more petitions rejected, including one against Lt. Gov.

This is the first attempt against Lieutenant Governor Brian Calley. Due to the particulars of Michigan law, Calley would automatically step-up to the Governor's job if Snyder is removed.

Sunday, February 21, 2016

Maine: Tremont Selectmen delay putting recall ordinance up for annual town meeting vote

Tremont Selectmen voted 4-0 to postpone placing a recall ordinance up for a vote at the annual town meeting. The ordinance would apply only to selectmen, not to school board embers. Petitioners would need signatures of 25% of turnout in the gubentorial election.

Colorado: Bent County Sheriff facing recall threats over claims of inconsistent police work

Bent County Sheriff David Encinias is facing petitions after a rise in home invasions. Encinias was reelected to a four year term in 2015.

Arizona: Phoenix City Council move from invocation to silent prayer leads to possible recall

The City Council recently voted 5-4 to change its tradition of an invocation to a "moment of silent prayer" after the Satanic Temple was scheduled to give the invocation.

Bob Graham, the president of the Arizona Republican Party, is looking to recall Mayor Greg Stanton, and Council members Kate Gallego, Laura Pastor, Daniel Valenzuela and Thelda Williams after claiming that they oppose prayer. Petitioners would need 32,776 signatures to recall Stanton, and much less for the councilmembers (down to 2,572 for Valenzuela).

Washington: Recall effort against Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney Mark Lindquist fails

Petitioners couldn't get the 38,000 signatures needed to get on the ballot.

Idaho: Trustee facing recall claims orchestrated by developers and state Senator

Russell Joki, one of the West Ada trustees, claims that the recall effort is being led by Senator Chuck Winder (R), and is about how the district money is spent on contracts and construction. Winder claims that the recall is aout the removal of the school superintendent.

Missouri: Columbia Councilwoman facing petitions over high voltage transmission lines position

Councilwoman Laura Nauser is facing petitions after she asked the council to hold a second public hearing to rethink a plan for a contentious power line project that has been on hold since the vote. Petitioners need 408 signatures (30% of turnout). Nauser ran unopposed in 2014.

Arizona: Campaigns signs stolen in Camp Verde recall

Here

Kansas: De Soto Mayor and Council member facing petitions

De Soto Mayor Tim Maniez and City Council Members Bill McDaniel are both facing petitions handed in last week. They would be the first mayor ro city council to face a recall in the city's history.

The issue is a claim of lack of control and decorum at meetings, though the firing of the City Administrator this month would be a precipitating factor.

Idaho: Caldwell Recall drives proposed changes to School Board election law

Here

Texas: Crystal City Mayor resigns

Following his indictment on federal corruption charges and his arrest on disturbing the peace and other charges, Ricardo Lopez has resigned as mayor in the face of an upcoming recall. Two City Council members are still facing recalls.


There's also reports of black water coming out of the taps of the Crystal City residents. We'll see what that means.

California: Carson City Clerk recall on Tuesday

Carson City Clerk Jim Dear is facing a recall vote on Tuesday over allegations that he harassed city workers, made negative racial remarks and acted erratically. Dear survived a recall vote in 2008, when he was a city councilman (he was also mayor). When he moved from Mayor to City Clerk, his salary jumped from $22,700 to $122,900.

Councilman Donesia Gause is running to replace Dear.

Texas: Signatures handed in against Austin City Councilwoman in ridesharing recall effort

Petitions were handed in against Councilwoman Ann Kitchen over the support for background checks for  Uber/Lyft drivers. Petitioners need about 4800 signatures. No word on how many they actually handed in. Petitioners have raised $29,500 in cash and $17,500 in kind contributions, all of which were reported this week. $20,000 was from the CEO of Trilogy Systems.

Texas: Judge delays ruling on whether to set Floresville recall date

A State Judge has delayed whether to force a recall against Floresville Mayor Sherry Castillo and Council members Daniel Tejada and Juan Ortiz. The city council refused to set the recall and unlike in California and some other states, there is no requirement that the City Clerk force the issue by setting a recall date. The City Attorney claims that the recall cannot be set for the May 7 ballot.

California: Los Angeles City Councilman facing recall, partly over Marilyn Monore's old home

Councilman Paul Krekorian, who represents neighborhoods in the San Fernando Valley, is facing a petition over his approval of zoneing changes and exemptions for real estate projects.  The issue seeems to be the building of high rises.

One of the specific issues was the demolition of a house that Marilyn Monroe once lived in.


Petitioners would need more than 18,000 signatures (15% of registereds) and the City Clerk claims the recall would cost $1.7 million.

Krekorian won reelection last year with over 75%.

Idaho: One West Ada School Board Member resigns

West Ada School Board Vice Chair Julie Madsen resigned her seat after the recall of her and three other board members made the ballot. No word yet on the other three trustees. One of the recall proponents mentioned an interesting "waterfall resignation"strategy, due to the particulars of the replacement law. The trustees will now appoint a replacement. The proponents are concerned that after a replacement is named, another board member will resign, allowing for an appointed replacement, so that the existing philosophy of the board will be maintained.

Usually, this wouldn't be possible, as the board members have five days to resign from the date they get the recall notice, otherwise it goes to the ballot. But due to some particulars, Madsen had her five days run out on Friday, two other members be up on Monday and the last member has it fall out on February 26, because she was out of town. So this waterfall resignation is a theoretical possibility.

Thursday, February 18, 2016

Texas: Crystal City Mayor facing recall now arrested for resisting arrest, disorderly conduct and possession of a controlled substance

The saga of Crystal City's recall is getting more interesting, as Mayor Ricardo Lopez was arrested after a minor scuffle at the council meeting and then charged with resisting arrest and hindering proceedings by disorderly conduct. After he was arrested, Lopez was found to have a forbidden substance, which the sheriff said may have been a Vicodin in the wrong container.  Now, it is unclear if the council will have enough members to meet the quorum requirement to actually hold a meeting.

Alaska: North Slope Borough Mayor hit with large fine for "egregious" violations of campaign finance laws

Charlotte Brower, who is already facing a April 5 recall for misusing borough funds to, among other things, send grandchildren to basketball camp in California, was hit with a $34,970 penalty over her failure to file a disclosure report. Brower's husband and campaign manager, Eugene Brower, was a former borough mayor in the 1980s whose own term ended with two of his key advisers going to prison for accepting kickbacks.

Texas: Austin recall likely to miss May ballot; still has time for November

The recall of Austin Councilwoman Ann Kitchen over her votes for background checks of Uber/Lyft drivers is apparently not going to make the May ballot. Petitioners though have plenty of time left for the November ballot.

California: Safeway Gas Station in empty yard leads to recall threats in Scaramento

Sacramento City Councilman Jay Schenirer is facing recall threats of his opposition to a plan to build a Safeway gas station in a larger development plan called the Curtis Park Village Project. It's the first time the city council ever denied a conditional use permit for a gas station.

Venezuela: President facing new recall threats

Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro is facing more recall threats after a currency devaluation, as hike and a recently-packed-with supporters Supreme Court decision to hand emergency powers to the President.

Kansas: Thomas County Sheriff facing recall loses license due to paperwork error

Thomas County Sheriff Rod Taylor, who is facing a recall due to claims of sexual harassment and drinking on a job, lost his driver's license due to a paperwork error.


Wednesday, February 17, 2016

Sunday, February 14, 2016

Attempt by NRA members to remove Grover Norquist from NRA Board

Interesting non-governmental office recall effort here. Grover Norquist -- one of the most prominent political activists on the right who is probably best-known as President of the Americans for Tax Reform -- was recently appointed to the National Rife Association Board. There is now an attempt to remove Norquist in a recall. The recall was started by 450 petitioners. The issue seems to be Norquist's position on immigration (specifically, he has shown support for amnesty proposals).

Virginia: Ronoake Times Editorial Opposes Montgomery County Clerk Recall Trial attempt

More on the Erica Williams Recall trial attempt:

In terms of anti-recall editorials, this one is among the best, primarily for the practical considerations in second reason listed.
Williams is a Democrat; a leader in the Montgomery County Republican Party is leading a petition drive to initiate a court review. Virginia doesn’t have recall elections like some states do, but there is a rarely-used provision for a judge to remove an elected official. This petition drive is a fundamentally bad idea for two reasons, and not just because it smacks of political opportunism.

The first is philosophical: Democracy is not well-served if election results can be overturned; we need to give elected officials time to make even unpopular decisions that might play out well in the end. We set terms for a reason.

The second is legal: Unlike other states, Virginia properly sets a high bar for removing someone from office. The key language here is “for neglect of duty, misuse of office, or incompetence in the performance of duties when that neglect of duty, misuse of office, or incompetence in the performance of duties has a material adverse effect upon the conduct of the office.” That is plainly not the case here. Williams may have made what to many is an unpopular decision, but deeds are still being filed, marriage licenses still being issued. This is ultimately a political dispute that ought to be settled in the political realm, which means the voting booth. That’s not a satisfying answer to opponents because eight years is a long time to wait, but life is often unfair.

Nebraska: Editorial attacks bill pushing for recall on state level

Legislative Resolution 379CA sponsored by State Senator Dave Bloomfield would allow recalls for all state level officials. Petitioners would need 35% of turnout.

The Norfolk Daily News doesn't think it's a good idea:

Do Nebraskans really want to see their governor or state legislator subject to recall every time a tough political decision is made? It could happen. There’s already a built-in recall procedure in place for everyone in office. It’s called the primary and general election. Nebraskans would be wise to leave well enough alone.

Arizona: Superior Mayor now facing petitions

Mayor Jayme Valenzuela over allegations that he made $2300 in withdrawals from the town debit card at a casino

Idaho: West Ada Recall gets on the ballot, though preliminary injunction hearing set for March 2

Here

Texas: Crystal City Mayor planning resignation after recall

Crystal City Mayor Ricardo Lopez is apparently resigning after the recall was verified. This recall was over a federal investigation and arrest.

Oklahoma: Midwest City Mayor resigns after recall race

Midwest City Mayor Jay "Dee" Collins has resigned after losing a recall race 56%-35% over the police and firefighter union issues. The recall law is a bit odd, and Collins and his replacement Matt Dukes were set to face off again on April 5.

Texas: Floresville City Council filibusters recall

Despite having enough signatures, Floresville Mayor Sherry Castillo and City Councilmen Daniel Tejada and Juan Ortiz will not be facing a recall after the city council voted 302 against setting a date for a public hearing.

The hearing had to be held before February 19 to get on the ballot. The City Attorney used the moment to blame the petitioners, though this is par for the course in attempts to kill recalls.

Friday, February 12, 2016

Louisiana: St. Martinville Mayor hit with petitions

Petitions have been submitted against Mayor Thomas Nelson. The issue was the Mardi Gras parade, which was cancelled due to the costs to the city. Petitioners would need 1462 signatures.

Wednesday, February 10, 2016

Michigan: One petition approved against Governor Rick Snyder, 9 rejected

I better revisit my old Michigan recall op-ed.

The nine rejected recalls were about a range of topics, including Snyder's performance with the Flint Water crisis. The one that was accepted was about school reform.

Nevada: Campaign Finance issues coming up due to long delay in Supreme Court/Judicial recall ruling

Here

Idaho: West Ada School Board recall petitions being challenged in court

Here

Oklahoma: Midwest City Mayor loses recall race

Mayor Jay "Dee" Collins lost his recall race 56%-34% on Tuesday, though Collins will be the mayor until another face off on April 5. I'll have to look into the reason that there is such a long delay.

Nebraska: Nelson Councilwoman kicked out in recall

Vicky Garner lost 89-71, with a turnout of 44%. Petitioner handed in 69 valids signatures, they needed 66. The issue seemed to be a grab-bag of problems.

Texas: Floresville ex-councilman pushing recalls banned from City Hall

Interesting result here -- Eric Rodriguez, the former Floresville Councilman leading the petition charge against Mayor Sherry Castillo and council members Daniel Tejada and Juan Ortiz, was banned from City Hall for being rude and disrupting meetings. The issue for the recall is the Mayor and Council members vote to toss out Councilman Jim Miller.

The petitions qualified for the ballot, but the city has to schedule it by February 19 to get on the May 3 ballot.

Texas: Electra Recalls set for May 7

Electra Mayor Pam Ward and Commissioners Kevin Byrd and Ricky Kelley are facing a recall vote on May 7th. Oddly, Ward's term is up in May, so it does seem moot. The issue was firing the police chief.

Texas: Crystal City recall pushes forward with Judge's ruling

A Zavala County Judge is forcing the city clerk to explain why the city hasn't counted the petitions against Crystal City Mayor Ricardo Lopez, Mayor Pro-Tempro Rogelio Mata and Councilman Marco Rodriguez.

Here's what's been going on and here's the Washington Post coverage of it.

Non Recall Op-ed in City & State

This one is near and dear to my heart (or my wallet), as it discusses how the NY Ethics Commission is going after PR people.

Non Recall Op-ed in the Hill on Mario Rubio

Here

Non-Recall Op-ed on Iowa and New Hampshire

I wrote this for CNBC

Monday, February 8, 2016

Friday, February 5, 2016

Texas: Arrest hit Crystal City Mayor, City Council, City Manager who used absurd interpretation to kill recall

Huge follow-up to last year's story about James Jonas III, a former big DC lobbyist who basically took over Crystal City, Texas as City Manager/City Attorney and managed to pay himself almost half the town's property tax receipts. His supporters, the Mayor Ricardo Lopez and Councilmen Rogelio and Roel Mata faced recall efforts last year. Jonas came up with an absurd interpretation of the recall law  to stop the attempt.

Thursday, all four were arrested on bribery charges. A fourth councilman, Marco Rodriguez, is being hit with human smuggling charges.

A judge is suppose to rule next Tuesday on whether the recall can go forward. The recall has to be on the ballot in either May or November (Texas doesn't have special elections for recalls), so the city can be without actual leadership for most of the year.

Texas: Effort against Austin Councilwoman over Uber/Lyft regulations seems to moving forward

The effort against councilwoman Ann Kitchen over what is believed to be her push to tighten regulations on Uber, Lyft, Get Me and other ride sharing companies seems to be moving closer to the ballot. It is so far unclear about who is pushing the recall and the source of some mystery.
Other council members are calling the effort.

Petitioners need 4811 signatures (10% of registereds).

Tennessee: Nashville Councilman facing petition threats over charges he lied about money for bail

Loniel Greene, who is facing allegations that he lied in court about the source of his $10,000 bond to get a relative out of jail -- as well as discussed threatening a domestic violence victim in the case, is facing recall threats from Nick Leonardo, who Greene beat in September to win the council seat.

The recall effort couldn't start until March regardless.

We haven't had Nashville recently, but the one recall the city had was in 2009, when Councilwoman Pam Murray lost to James Hollin.

Oregon: Three Cannon Beach Rural Fire Protection members facing petitions

Three Cannon Beach Rural Fire Protection District Board Members, President Sharon Clyde, Garry Smith and Linda Beck-Sweeney, are facing petitions over the firing of Chief Mike Balzer. Balzer is suing for $677,000 and reinstatement of employment benefits after he was fired in October over what he claims was retaliation for his wife's comments on social media.

Petitioners need 125 signatures (15% of turnout) by April 6.

New Jersey: Asbury Park Councilman petitions filed

An attempt against Asbury Park Councilman Jesse Kendle has been filed. Petitioners need 2175 signatures. No word yet on why the recall is being pushed

Idaho: Petitions filed against Blaine County School Board member

Blaine County School Board Member Liz Corker is facing petitions over a grab-bag of complaints, though it seems the one that is specific is her vote to dismantle the Finance Committee and proposing that staff be removed from the committee.

Petitioners need 489 signatures in 75 days (oddly, the fact is attributed to "a county official who didn't want to be named") -- 20% of eligible voters in the last school board election.

Virginia: Petitions filed in recall attempt against Norfolk City Treasurer

City Treasurer Anthony Burfoot is facing petitions over his upcoming trial on public corruption charges over taking close to $500,000 in kickbacks/bribes will serving as councilman. The petition had to be rewritten over inaccuracy in the limits Burfoot faces in speaking with potential witnesses who are elected and appointed officials, as well as civil servants.

Virginia has a recall trial -- meaning if enough signatures are handed in, a judge would hold a trial to decide if Burfoot stays in office. There is no vote. Petitioners need 4352 signatures (10% of turnout).

Idaho: Petitions handed in against four of five West Ada School District Trustees

Waiting for the verification process -- Tina Dean needs 253, Carol Sayles, 335, Julie Madsen 454 and Russell Joki 302. The effort against Mike Vuittonet was dropped (Vuittonet co-lead the recall efforts against the other four trustees).

Colorado; No candidates have jumped into the Parachute recall races over marijuana ban

Here

Massachusetts: Rowley Water Board Commissioner kicked out

Tim Toomey was ousted in a recall, 675-26, losing to Mark Emery (it was actually two votes -- the recall was 661-48). 16% turnout. The issues were over Toomey's use of executive sessions, hiring of outside counsel and putting the water supervisor on leave.

California: Lucerne Valley School District School Board member ousted

Lucerne Valley School Board Member Dawn Turnbull was kicked out office, with 76.3 percent voting to remove. Only 520 votes were cast, which is significantly less than the 716 signatures handed in. The issue was Turnbull's allegations against a lot of different people, much of it posted on Facebook. She was censured twice and handed attended a board meeting in eight months.

California: Dixon Mayor, City Council members not facing recalls

No petitions were filed against Dixon Mayor Jack Batchelor, Vice Mayor Steve Bird and Councilmen Jerry Castanon, Sr. and Scott Pederson. Petitioners would be 2200 signatures on each. The issue was a suit against the Solano County Taxpayers Association over a sewer rate rollback initiative, which was ruled unconstitutional.

Thursday, February 4, 2016

Texas: One Denton Councilman recall on May ballot; other tossed out for technicality

Denton Councilman Joey Hawkins is facing a May 7 recall over his support for fracking, though the recall for Kevin Roden was tossed out because of a technical requirement needing a signed affidavit over the number of signatures on each page of the petition.

New Jersey: Bloomfield Councilman facing petitions after indictment

Councilman Elias Chalet is facing petitions after he was indicted on accepting $15,000 after promising to secure the purchase of a commercial property. According to the leader, Councilman Joseph Lopez backed the effort to push Chalet out of office, and then was "terrorized by Chalet's cousin.

California: Carson City Clerk facing criminal investigation as well

Carson City Clerk Jim Dear, who is facing a February 23 recall, is now facing a criminal investigation into the belief that he resigned from the mayor/council position to get a better. The council pays $22,735 a year. The clerk's job is $120,000. His pension could rise from a little over $12k to $66K. due to having the job for one year -- though the recall might subvert that by less than a month. No idea why this is considered a possible legal problem though -- the argument seems to be about pension reform changes, but they don't seem applicable here.