Jim Blashford — who has years of experience working in county assessor’s offices — has decided not to run, leaving Sue Horne and Rolf Kleinhans to compete for the post, I’ve confirmed.
Though Blashford has worked in assessor’s offices in Placer and Orange Counties, he has never been in a political campaign — a potentially unpleasant experience that can subject even button-down professionals to mud slinging in our county.
Sources close to Blashford expressed frustration at how the supposedly nonpartisan races are shaping up to be highly partisan — a point I made earlier this week for both the assessor’s and clerk-recorder’s race.
Though Horne has been a supervisor, some people have questioned her qualifications and experience to be a county assessor. Kleinhans touts his public sector experience and an M.B.A., but he’s a real estate agent — a potential conflict when it comes to real estate assessments — some residents have observed.
Supervisors Ted Owens and Nate Beason had thrown their support behind Blashford.
Horne’s backers typically are Republican stalwarts, as well as longstanding south county alliances. Her host committee includes George and Christine Foster, Lowell Robinson, Patti Ingram Spencer, George Rebane and Alan Kilborn, according to her website.
Rebane and Russ Steele are among the “community and business leaders” who are her supporters. (Sue’s words on her website).
Kleinhans’ backers also are Republicans but come from a decidedly different camp — the Ed Scofield one that ran against Kilborn (whom Sue backed) in the last supervisor race.
Kleinhans’ supporters on “Rolf Kleinhans for Assessor!” on Facebook include Jeanette Royal (the county sheriff’s wife), who was Ed Scofield’s campaign manager, as well as Ed’s wife, Carol.
Kimberly Pruett, who is a staff member for Tom McClintock and whose husband Barry is running for clerk recorder, also is listed. Barry is a vocal Tea Party Patriots supporter.
Rolf’s website is here.
Both Sue and Rolf contend the race is nonpartisan and cite their qualifications.
“As a local business owner who was twice elected to the Nevada County Board of Supervisors, I offer local government leadership experience to effectively manage the Office of the Assessor,” Sue writes on her website.
“During my tenure on the Board from 2001 through 2008, I worked successfully to help restore prudent fiscal policy to county government; cut wasteful spending; approved and provided oversight of the Assessor’s budget; and helped build significant budget reserves for the ‘rainy days’ of today.”
Here’s what Rolf reports on his website: “Rolf has the administrative and fiscal experience to be an effectual Nevada County Assessor.
“His education includes a Masters of Business Administration in Real Estate and Finance at UCLA, with a B.A in Geography /Conservation and Ecosystems Analysis. He is a licensed real estate broker, and licensed appraiser.
“He has managed multimillion-dollar developments and administered professional staff of over 200. He has overseen the construction of over 5 million square feet of multi-use retail and office developments.”
A list of who’s running for what offices in our county is here. The list is on the website of the county elections office, which assured me that candidates have approved to make all this information public.
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