State Senator Mark Ridley-Thomas completed his year-long, come-from-behind victory by blowing out Bernard Parks 62%-38% in the November 4th Supervisorial Election. One year ago, most polls had Ridley-Thomas twenty points behind Parks.

Ridley-Thomas’ support grew as Parks hit his ceiling

But after finishing the primary election with a 45%-39% lead, Ridley-Thomas grew his support rate by 17% while Parks’ rate support dropped one point in the November election.

Even though Ridley-Thomas has not been the 8th District Council representative for six years – and even though Parks has represented the district for those six years since, the Senator beat the Councilmember by a 59%-41% in Parks’ own 8th Council District. He beat him in the southern end of the district, the City of Carson, 60%-40%. He beat him on the Westside and the north end of the district, with margins of 64%-36% in L.A. Council District 11 (Rosendahl), 65%-35% in L.A. Council District 5 (Weiss), and 65%-35% in Culver City. And Ridley-Thomas dominated in Latino areas of the district as well, with margins of 72%-28% in Lynwood, and 68%-32% in L.A. Council District 1 (Reyes).

Targeting new voters

Entering the runoff election, polling in August revealed that Ridley-Thomas led Parks by 13% among the most likely voters. However, among those who were likely to vote in the exciting November election, Parks and Ridley-Thomas were in a near dead heat.

That’s why the Ridley-Thomas campaign focused on voters who did not vote in the primary, but who were likely to vote in November. This was no small task, because more than three times as many voters who voted in June voted on November 4th, so there were literally hundreds of thousands of voters to persuade. More than 39,000 2nd District voters registered between October 1 and the 15-day new registration cutoff before the election. Bernard Parks started out being significantly better known among these voters.

So why did these voters break so heavily for Ridley-Thomas? While he held his own among older and middle-aged voters, Ridley-Thomas dominated Parks among the younger voters and new voters who came out to vote for change. These voters were a disproportionately large part of the voters who turned out for the November election but not the June or even February elections.

Change vs. The Status Quo

All polling reflected that voters of all ages saw Ridley-Thomas as the candidate who would bring change, and as part of the next generation of leaders. While Parks had what used to be the dominant endorsements in the African-American community – including Congresswoman Maxine Waters and incumbent Supervisor Yvonne Burke – voters instead wanted a change in representation, and were not swayed by Parks’ endorsers. Parks – with the support of a majority of the Board of Supervisors – clearly represented the status quo to voters. This is not the right year to be positioned that way, especially with the failure and closure of King-Harbor Hospital on their watch. Parks worsened his problems by defending the status quo at King-Harbor at a time when it was delivering inadequate care to the community, in contrast to Ridley-Thomas who has been at the forefront in the fight for change at the hospital for some time.

The voters found Ridley-Thomas’ background as a grassroots community organizer who works for change and delivers results to be much more relevant and important. The fact that Ridley-Thomas is a legislator who approaches his job as an organizer was a very appealing feature for all voters, but especially new voters.

Parks’ tactic of running a 100% negative campaign also backfired. His attacks (and the Independent Expenditure attacks) on Ridley-Thomas on economic development were just not credible in contrast to Ridley-Thomas’ well-publicized accomplishments. And Parks focused a great deal of his resources attacking Ridley-Thomas’ supporters, especially union workers. This also proved to be a grave mistake for two reasons: 1) this district includes thousands and thousands of union and other blue-collar workers; and 2) even non-union and white collar workers, retirees and homemakers think highly of working families and unions.

In the end, polling revealed that voters realized that Bernard Parks is not who they thought he was – and they had a much better alternative by voting for a candidate who fights for change and delivers results, and a candidate who represents the next generation of leadership: Mark Ridley-Thomas.

In just a few days, California and the entire nation will participate in an extraordinary election. This election will be historic not simply because it marks the first time a major party candidate is a person of color or that the Republican vice presidential nominee is female, but also because it has generated incredible interest and blockbuster voter registration numbers. This election has particularly energized young people, who heretofore were the most apathetic, disaffected and unreliable members of the electorate. Given this level of excitement, this Election Day, perhaps more so than at any other time in history, provides the perfect opportunity for parents to engage their children about the election and have them participate in and witness this momentous occasion.

Senator Ridley-Thomas voting with his wife and two sons at the June primary election.

Election officials, based on media accounts of voter enthusiasm and coverage of early voting activities in other states, are predicting record levels of voter turnout on November 4th. Early voting sites across the nation are reporting long lines for eager citizens wanting to cast their votes. It is likely that Californians will also experience long delays at polling places on Election Day and officials are concerned people may be discouraged by the potential wait.

Despite any delays or issues that may occur at polling places, this is an opportune time for parents to bring their sons and daughters to the polls so they too can experience the excitement of election day and learn what to expect when they cast their first vote. California law grants workers two hours of paid time off to exercise their right to vote. I encourage parents to take full advantage of the law by leaving work early and picking up their kids from school or after school activities so they can accompany them to the polls. If there are long lines at the polling place, is there a better way to spend the time than educating your child or children about the rights and responsibilities of the citizens?

Election Day activities do not end once your ballot has been cast. In fact, the events last into the night as the polls will be open until 8 p.m. and perhaps later to accommodate the eager, but patient citizens waiting to cast their vote. I urge you to allow your children to participate and observe all of the activity of day, but only after they have completed their homework, household chores and other responsibilities. Permit them to stay up later than what is normally acceptable so you can watch the election coverage and election returns as a family. Discuss all of the issues of the day with them, from the top of the ticket right down to the local issues. Regardless of the outcome, I am confident that the experience will be a positive one and will shape the way your children will approach future elections.

Given the historical significance of this election and the crucial issues facing our country, November 4th is the perfect day to actively engage our children in a civics lesson and given them the opportunity to witness democracy in action. By doing so, parents will sow the seeds of civic participation and democracy that our children will harvest in the future.

Mark Ridley-Thomas
State Senator

1. Know where to go to cast your vote! Find your polling location here.

2. Bring your photo ID, if you have one. You are not required to show ID unless you are a first time voter, but play it safe. Bring an ID just in case.

3. Know your rights! Insist on voting on a regular ballot if you are a registered voter. But if there is a problem, vote using a provisional ballot. No voter can be turned away without being allowed to vote.

4. Review your sample ballot before going to your polling place. Bring a list of candidates and ballot measures – that you intend to vote for – with you. Visit our list of recommended sites for information on California Propositions and L.A. County ballot measures.

5. Check your ballot before you finalize your vote!

6. Bring a cell phone. If you have problems, call the Secretary of State’s VOTER HOTLINE (1-800-345-VOTE), Common Cause (1-866-MYVOTE1) or the Election Protection Hotline (1-866-OURVOTE).

7. Do not wear campaign T-shirts, hats or buttons bearing the name of any politician or political campaign on them, including Barack Obama.

8. Election Day voter turnout is expected to set all-time records. Be prepared to wait in long lines at your polling place. (a) Arrive early in the morning, if possible. (b) If you plan to vote at night, arrive before the polls close at 8:00 p.m. – you will be legally guaranteed your right to vote. (c) If you arrive before 8:00 p.m., do not allow poll workers to close the polls until you have voted.

9. Bring a folding chair if you have problems standing for an extended period of time at your polling place

10. Bring bottled water and a snack, if necessary.