Since he’s got virtually no chance at the Top Two in next month’s primary election for 74th District Assembly, this year’s Huntington Beach Mayor Matthew Harper is pushing a monumentally clever strategy to leverage his mayoral title into its own election as a separate office. Per the Huntington Beach Independent two days ago: Harper wants city to vote on chance to elect the mayor.
Like many Orange County cities, HB rotates their mayoral title annually amongst the sitting council members. The position is largely ceremonial, holds the council meeting gavel, but has no additional voting power or political influence in city matters (and especially in this one that’s really run by the former 12-year city manager of San Bernardino who doesn’t know why they’re going bankrupt). But the title looks good on a resume, or campaign mailer to low-information voters. And the fancy name badge really wows the Scout troops. Continue reading