Moving among dozens of supporters early Sunday evening in the often candidate-accessible home of Paul and Madeline Ehrlich, City Council contender Jim Clarke shmoozed easily with liberals, moderates and a conservative or two.
In the two months since he surprised many by declaring his candidacy, Mr. Clarke has seamlessly segued from his career-long backstage role with nationally well-known politicians to a front row seat for himself.
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Candidate Jim Clarke, red sweater, visits Sunday evening with Tom and Margaret Supple
He has been glowing ever since landing an endorsement last Wednesday from the Culver City Democratic Club, telling voters that he now has been awarded a matched set.
A few days before, the Culver City Chamber of Commerce pinned one of its four endorsements on him.
Here is a case of the political Odd Couple – the business community and the most liberal political group in town agreeing on a candidate.
“I believe that says a lot about being able to reach across the table to people and listen to their concerns,” Mr. Clarke said.
While Washington and Sacramento have become scandalously polarized in the views of many, Mr. Clarke, quite familiar with both environments, waves off the chilling attitude.
“What happens in Washington or Sacramento really doesn’t have much to do with what happens at the local level,” he said. “People who are willing to work together find ways to work together in local government. They don’t stick to party labels. That’s why we run for non-partisan positions.”
A lifelong Democrat, partisanship isn’t in his portfolio, he says.
“I have purposely made this campaign to be not about partisanship,” says Mr. Clarke, gaining friends among Republicans and Democrats. “I have spent as much time listening to the concerns of the business community as I have to so-called progressives in Culver City.”
Such flexibility does not require acrobatics, Mr. Clarke said.
“I have not had an instance yet where there is a big divide, although it might happen if I am elected to the City Council.
“My approach is what I call the Third Way of looking at things. It is not about the city doing everything or paying for everything or ‘the city has no money so we can’t do this.’
“The idea is to form partnerships, and that seems to appeal to people on both sides. We realize we can’t keep doing things the way we were because we don’t have the money. We have to find a new way, and people seem to be open to that.”
Meet ‘n Greet
Mr. Clarke will be feted again this coming Sunday evening, from 5 to 7, in a Meet ‘n Greet at the Madison Avenue home of activists Tom Camarella and Ronnie Jayne.
Mr. Clarke may be contacted at jimclarke4culvercitycouncil@gmail.com
