Chamber PAC
* I noticed that the Ventura Chamber of Commerce Political Action Committee took no position on the most important issue Ventura citizens have voted on in years, Measure O. The Chamber PAC has become nothing but a reflection of the narrow personal interests of a few of its board members. One PAC board member actually works as a public relations consultant for Community Memorial Hospital.
The recent track record of the Chamber PAC certainly does not speak well of its endorsement clout. It tried to dump Jim Friedman from the Ventura City Council, and he received more votes than any other candidate. It endorsed Rosa Lee Measures for the Board of Supervisors, and she only received 23% of the vote in the March primary. It ducked the Board of Supervisors race between Jim Monahan and Steve Bennett.
Most significantly, it stayed on the sidelines while voters wrestled with Measure O.
The Chamber PAC will still offer its usual bluster about its future endorsements, but it has already failed the test of leadership that earns an organization real credibility with the voters.
KATE FAULKNER
Ventura
Get the L.A. Times Politics newsletter
Deeply reported insights into legislation, politics and policy from Sacramento, Washington and beyond. In your inbox three times per week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
