Long Beach : 5 Refuse to Sign Ethics Code
Saying “voters are sick and tired of negative campaigns,” Long Beach Councilwoman Jan Hall has blasted five announced or potential candidates for mayor next year for refusing to join her in signing her code of ethics.
“I cannot imagine anyone running for office who would refuse to sign a code of ethics,” Hall said in a statement. “And anyone who would refuse to sign a code does not deserve the right to run for the highest office in Long Beach.”
Hall sent the code to Mayor Ernie Kell, City Auditor Robert Fronke, Don Gill, Bud Huber and Luanne Pryor. She asked candidates to pledge that they will not permit character defamation, libel or slander.
Don Gill, who said he is still considering whether to enter the race, said he refused to sign because it requires that candidates contribute no more than 5% of their personal funds to their campaign chests. Gill said that provision weighs heavily in favor of incumbents like Hall who have strong fund-raising ability. Kell has called Hall’s move a purely political ploy.
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