Getting to know you and his colleagues – that was on Jim Clarke’s fertile mind on Wednesday night in his Crowd debut as a candidate for the City Council on April 10.
For all of his years as a federal, state and local political deputy, standing before the Democratic Club, seeking and handily winning their endorsement was a first-time experience.
“This was the first opportunity we all had as candidates to be in the same room together and listen to each other,” Mr. Clarke said.
“I was very interested in what everybody had to say. I had some understanding where people were coming from. Still , it was good to be able to see that and see the dynamics.”
Mr. Clarke is a rookie only in a technical sense.
Even his rivals agreed that he scored a knockout, from his opening sally describing his wide background and politics and then in forcefully and knowledgeably answering each of the 15 or so questions posed.
“My second reaction was, I have been active with the Culver City Democratic Club for a long time,” Mr. Clarke said. I felt very comfortable with the people who were there, people I have known over the years.
“Given the size of the (huge) crowd, it could have been intimidating, considering being there with the other candidates for the first time in front of a large audience. Sometimes you don’t know. But it worked out fine.”
Mr. Clarke said the only surprise was fellow candidate Stephen Murray’s controversial judgment about Scott Malsin. “Wow,” he said.
“People asked the tough questions, and Scott answered them as well as he could. He did what he had to do.”
On Sunday evening from 7 to 9, Mr. Clarke will be the centerpiece of a fundraiser at the home of Madeline and Paul Ehrlich, 11472 Diller Ave.
Mr. Clarke may be contacted at jimclarke4culvercitycouncil@gmail.com
