Write-In Votes Put Novice Into Runoff

With a late start, no paid consultants and no hype, Elizabeth “Izzy” Martin’s write-in campaign for Nevada County supervisor defied conventional political wisdom.

And more than 2,500 people wrote Martin’s name on Tuesday’s ballot, making the 41-year-old farmer the first successful write-in candidate in Nevada County.

“It was astounding,” Martin said. “Nobody wins a write-in campaign, right? Everyone knows that.”

Martin, who runs a 33-acre organic farm with her husband, captured 39% of the votes against a one-term incumbent and two other challengers. She will face challenger Jeff Ingram, an attorney, in the November election.

In addition to telling voters she supports moderate, balanced growth, Martin hammered home the write-in message. Her campaign signs duplicated the ballot.

Martin was a campaign worker for supervisor candidate Nancy Keil. After Keil bowed out in March, her followers began urging Martin to run.

“I had all the usual excuses,” she told the Sacramento Bee newspaper. “I’ve been an organizer all my life. The hard part was deciding to run.”

Once she decided, she burrowed in, aided by 150 volunteers. There was no time for fund-raisers. She called people up and asked for money. Martin estimates she spent about $12,500.