Anaheim Councilmember Natalie Rubalcava has declared victory in the recall election. In a low-turnout election, 53.7% of voters rejected the attempt by hospitality union Unite Here Local 11 to remove her from office.
“I’d like to thank the voters of Anaheim’s 3rd City Council district for their support in this election,” Rubalcava said in a statement. “Serving on my hometown’s City Council has been an honor, and I am so glad that I get to continue this important work.
This editorial board opposed the recall after representatives from the union offered only half-baked reasons for voters to remove her from the council. “Anaheim has had enough turmoil and needs a period of normalcy and reform,” we wrote. “Anaheim voters need to reject this expensive special interest stunt.”
It was clear from the beginning that the union was lashing out against Rubalcava after she undermined Measure A, which called for enhanced safety measures and a $25 minimum wage for hotel workers. Rubalcava proposed and the council approved enhanced safety measures on its own, rendering Measure A an unpopular minimum wage measure. The measure went down in defeat and it was clear Unite Here Local 11 just wanted revenge.
Unfortunately, the union stunt comes at the expense Anaheim taxpayers, with the recall costing approximately $700,000 to conduct.
This editorial board generally advises against recalls, as we have in the cases of Santa Ana Councilmembers Jessie Lopez and Cecilia Iglesias, as well as Sen. Josh Newman and Orange school board members Rick Ledesma and Madison Miner. Recalls should be used sparingly, not for partisan point scoring or simple retaliation.