A new internal poll shows Sheriff Laurie Smith is headed for reelection in June. The news comes as no surprise as Smith has long been the most popular countywide elected official for years. The latest research was conducted by EMC Research whose analysis was clear; “Sheriff Laurie Smith is in an extremely strong position heading into the election year and is on her way to winning outright in June… ” The memo goes on to say, “She is well known and popular while her likely opponents are virtually unknown.” But what is impressive is that Smith starts this election in even better shape than her last; close to 50% of those surveyed intend to vote for her before any other information is known, after hearing positive information about her, she has a dizzying 83% favorable rating. Her stated opponents have virtually no name identification and even when described favorably lag far behind.
The Sheriff, however, is not resting on her laurels. She is launching her reelection bid today with unprecedented bipartisan support. Democratic leaders such as Congress members Mike Honda, Zoe Lofgren and Anna Eshoo join Republicans including former Assemblyman Jim Cunneen, Supervisor Mike Wasserman and Don Gage in supporting her reelection. What’s more is that Sheriff Smith is one of the most sought after endorsements for other elected officials in Santa Clara County. Voters overwhelmingly trust her, especially on issues pertaining to law enforcement. The Sheriff’s few opponents are flailing by trying to attack her with outrageously false accusations. One whacko opponent even tried to get the State Attorney General to investigate the long debunked claim that the Sheriff didn’t live in San Jose. The nut claimed he went through her garbage and looked inside her home windows.
The Attorney General sent a kindly worded response saying, “We believe it would be a misuse of scarce resources for us to go forward, or to require Santa Clara County to go forward, on the basis of a filing which, on its face, we cannot approve.”
In short, the Sheriff is happy to run a campaign. “It gives us an opportunity to show voters how we have the lowest crime rates and the best cost per capita of any law enforcement agency in the County,” Smith said. “And we get to tell people of how we have reduced property crimes and violence in the communities we serve. Finally, we get to show voters what we plan to do to reduce violence, eliminate gangs, and how we can help cities like San Jose reduce their crime problems.”
A recent study found that the Sheriff provides contract services to three of the safest cities, including the safest city in California. That may be one of the reasons she begins this campaign season with an even higher voter approval rating than her last campaign.
It’s good to be the Sheriff.
Rich Robinson is a political consultant and communications specialist.
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