Campaign Rookies Find Success On Election Day

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Story Published: Nov 3, 2009 at 11:30 PM PST

By Peter Bukowski

Dave Ettl waited with family and friends for the results of a process he'd never been a part of before: a campaign. And it's one for Ettl that lacked the typical political checklist.

"I don't have a magic list. I do have a pretty good communication skill set and the ability to talk with people, gather from them what they want," the radio host explains.

Initial numbers show the people leaning toward Ettl, not the appointed Sonia Rodriguez for City Council. But that's not quite how she sees it.

"I've gotten a lot of good feedback from the community. The margins are much different in the other candidates. Our race is very close and that tells me a lot," Rodriguez says, despite trailing by five percent.

Unlike Rodriguez, first time campaigner and fellow appointee Maureen Adkison likely won't have to sweat out her seat. Maybe that's why she says she enjoyed her campaign so much she'll do it all over again.

"As you know I was appointed so this is only a two year term. I have every intention of running at least one more time for a four year term. And if I get to do it again, I'll approach it the same way I approached this one."

And if this campaign was any indication, Adkison may see her election signs alongside new County Coroner Jack Hawkins, also a newcomer to a campaign.

"It was a whale of an experience. I've never run an election before and I enjoyed it. I'm glad, of course I'm excited the way it turned out," exclaimed Hawkins, who had been the interim County Coroner.

In fact, Hawkins, Adkison and Rodriguez all had been serving in their respective positions as appointees. But unless Rodriguez can stage a comeback, she will be the familiar face the voters will have forgotten.

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