Commentary: Patricia McKeon is Inexperienced; Vote for Wilk

In any election it is important to look at the candidates with as much objectivity as possible. To step back and look at the qualifications of the candidates and determine whether each candidate has the experience, the education, and the sheer wherewithal to actually uphold the responsibilities of the office they are running for. We as voters have to take this seriously; we must have some interest in understanding that the individual we vote for has the qualities to fully represent us in that office. The candidate must, without hesitation, be able to understand the issues that are important, not only to the constituents, but to the larger picture of the state or national arena. That candidate must be able to do so by reaching across the aisle to build bi-partisan cooperation.

There are four individuals running for the 38^th District State Assembly seat, three Republicans; Patricia McKeon, Paul Strickland, and Scott Wilk, and one Democrat; Edward Headington. The one that stands out as least qualified is Patricia McKeon.

Over the last several months, Mrs. McKeon has made one misstep after another that has highlighted the obvious fact that she neither has a grasp of the issues nor does she have the political chops to represent the 38^th District in Sacramento. I am not saying this lightly or to be “mean” but rather to lay out the fact that Patricia McKeon has shown us, herself, that she lacks the basic skills to be able to execute the responsibilities of the state assembly office.     

The most egregious example that I can point to is a candidate forum that was held in mid-April in which Patricia was asked a question regarding managing revenue with the impact of ballot initiatives. With a deer-in-the-headlights look on her face she said; “I have no idea!”

I don’t believe that is at all an acceptable answer. It is completely fine to not have an answer to that question! But at a candidate forum, the very least Mrs. McKeon could have told the voter was that she did not have enough information to answer the question at that time and would be happy to get back to the person at a later date. The fact that she didn’t do that shows me that not only does she not have enough working knowledge of state issues but she does not have the political skills to navigate difficult situations.

“I have no idea!” When Patricia McKeon uttered those four words she basically defined her candidacy. Couple that with several of her stilted appearances, especially the one at the Simi Valley Tea Party forum, with the fact that she has not held any elected office before, appeared to have plagiarized on her Facebook page, and it all adds up to a very inexperienced candidate. We don’t need to elect a seat warmer or someone that will be getting on the job training.

We cannot afford to send such a person to represent us in the California State legislature; it’s that simple. We need someone that will continue the work that our current State Assemblyman Cameron Smyth has been doing in Sacramento. Smyth has shown that he can work within the Democrat controlled legislature; he has partnered with Democrats which is what, considering the state’s dire financial situation, is truly needed.

We need a State Assembly representative that has practical experience; has knowledge of the issues; can reach across the political aisle and can hit the ground running. Of the four candidates that are running, only Scott Wilk has those attributes and will do an outstanding job representing the 38^th Assembly District.

Wilk has been endorsed by Assemblymembers Cameron Smyth, Kacho Achadjian, Paul Cook, Kristin Olsen, and Don Wagner as well as Board of Equalization Member George Runner among many others. Congressman Tom McClintock has said; “I have known and worked with Scott Wilk for over two decades. I can guarantee he will be a steadfast conservative leader in Sacramento at a time when we desperately need one.”

More than ever we need a representative that will be fiscally responsible; a person who can put party politics and snipping aside and build collaborative working relationships to get our great state of California back on firm financial footing. Wilk has the experience to deal with the faltering state education system and, as a small business owner, will be able to work towards reforming the over regulatiory environment that has caused many businesses to leave the state along with valuable jobs.

This election is not a popularity contest or trying to ride to victory on a name, it is about sending an experienced representative to Sacramento that will actually accomplish something; who will represent our interests at the state capital.  

Not only do I wholeheartedly endorse Scott Wilk for California State Assembly but so does the prodigious Beacon! I very much hope that when you go to the polls on June 5^th that you will vote for Scott Wilk as well.

Dave Bossert- Commentary

Dave Bossert is a community volunteer who serves on a number of boards and councils. His commentaries represent his own opinions and not necessarily the views of any organization he may be affiliated with or those of the West Ranch Beacon.