There were other … results … from Tuesday’s election that will properly give us pause.
Large pauses.
But I rise today to celebrate losing my excellent member of the House of Representatives here in the West San Gabriel Valley, only because in doing so the entire state of California gains another excellent member of Congress to work for all 38 million of us.
As I said to Adam Schiff the last time I caught his eye over breakfast at the Burbank airport: “Senator!”
A couple of months ago, he wasn’t quite yet the junior senator from the Golden State. But given that his opponent was the fine first baseman but hapless politician Steve Garvey, we both knew what the results would be come Nov. 5 — though Adam was too modest to say so.
And what a pleasure it is to be able to celebrate those results here in what has been his hometown newspaper through his decades in the Legislature and the House.
As those of you who waded through the ballot know, there was an odd situation in which we got to vote for Adam twice this week. After the death of longtime Sen. Dianne Feinstein, he had to run both for the couple of months remaining in her former term, and then for the full six-year seat.
He shellacked his opponent in both races, winning over 57% of Californians’ votes.
And he was so gracious in victory. In his acceptance speech, Adam began: “I want to acknowledge my opponent Steve Garvey. I know it’s not easy to be a candidate for any office. It’s hard on you, it’s hard on your loved ones, and I wish him well. And I join him in celebrating the Dodgers’ amazing win over the Yankees.”
And then, also so kindly, and rightly: “I also find myself thinking about Sen. Dianne Feinstein, who was a friend and mentor, and as long as I knew her, she was a giant in the U.S. Senate. Nobody will be able to fill Dianne’s immense shoes, but her memory will be my guide.”
I know that that last bit will absolutely be the case for the decades that I believe Adam will serve us in the Senate. Contrary to the propaganda, contrary to the silly nicknames the president-elect has for the man who so ably prosecuted him while under impeachment in the Senate, Adam, like Dianne, is one of the most eminently moderate electeds in our nation. He works by logic, not by vitriol. He gets ginned up by … nothing. He believes like this: “California will continue to be at the forefront of progress. The bulwark of democracy. The champion of innovation. And the protector of our rights and freedoms. We are a big, beautiful, diverse and generous state. We look out for each other. We stand up for each other. We extend our hands to lift up each other. We celebrate and appreciate our different backgrounds and cultures. … Now, let’s get to work. Thank you, California.”
Whether you voted for him or not, you’ll see that, too.
Got a problem that rises to the senatorial level? Reach out to his office.
You’ll find out that Adam Schiff is the rare kind of politician we need more of.
Election at random
Pasadenans gave a big vote of confidence to their public library by voting with over 71% approval of Measure PL to pay for bonds to seismically shore up and restore the hallowed, almost century-old Central Library on Walnut Street in the Civic Center. As I have previously written, I voted for it, too — but I am hoping, along with many others I have spoken with, that the preliminary architectural plans are malleable …
In fact, all over the San Gabriel Valley and Whittier area, voters gave the thumbs-up to various schemes to tax themselves (and others) to pay for needed civic improvements. With preliminary results in, Arcadia’s Measure AS will generate $23 million a year for repairs and technological upgrades at the city’s famed public schools. In Rowland Heights, Hacienda Heights, La Habra Heights and Whittier, Measure PH will fund the work of the Puente Hills Habitat Preservation Authority to protect open space and maintain park ranger patrols in the hills. Azusa passed a new 1/4-cent sales tax for civic infrastructure and after-school programs. Duarte looks to have passed Measure QQ, which would allow two local weed shops and tax their sales by 10% to fund city services. Pasadena Unified voters in the city and in Altadena and Sierra Madre passed a bond issue and a parcel tax to fund a wide variety of infrastructure and assorted programs for their school system. Voters got spendy on Tuesday. Administrators of those monies, make it worth our while!
Write the public editor at lwilson@scng.com