Redwood City council race off to a sizzling start [Palo Alto Daily News, Calif.]

Aug. 21--Though still in its nascent phase, the contest for three seats on the Redwood City Council already is heating up after one candidate hurled a legal barb at another for allegedly misstating his occupation on campaign papers.

Bail bonds business owner Corrin Rankin filed a petition asking San Mateo County Superior Court to direct the city clerk of Redwood City to prevent Ernie Schmidt from putting "Chairman, Planning Commission" next to his name on the Nov. 5 ballot.

Election law allows candidates to state an elected office or their "professions, vocations or occupations" in their ballot designation. The petition Rankin filed asserts that a seat on the planning commission isn't tantamount to an income-producing job.

"It's not paid," Rankin told The Daily News on Tuesday. "I feel like all candidates should respect and abide by the law."

Rankin's ballot designation identifies her as a "business owner."

Schmidt said he isn't "utterly surprised" by Rankin's legal attack, particularly since he used a similar designation last year when he ran for San Mateo County supervisor that was approved by the county elections office.

Rankin's filing also states that the planning commission designation is misleading because "it is believed that Ernie Schmidt is presently unemployed, or if employed is either a part-time car salesman or real estate agent."

Schmidt said he works multiple jobs, including car sales, real estate and marketing.

"This is not the story," Schmidt said. "The story is really about the issues that are facing the community -- public safety, job creation -- that's the story."

Rankin said she didn't know her lawyer had included the statement about Schmidt's employment status in the petition filed on her behalf.

A hearing on Rankin's petition is scheduled for Aug. 29.

Even if incumbents Jeffrey Gee and John Seybert are re-elected, the city council will see at least one new face next year because Jeff Ira will be termed out.

In addition to Rankin and Schmidt, other challengers are former Redwood City council member Diane Howard, who states her occupation as "nurse," and community activist James (Lee) Han, who states his as "business manager."

The six candidates have already started working to get donations and endorsements.

According to financial disclosure documents filed for the first six months of the year, Rankin leads in fundraising with $45,449, which includes $30,000 she loaned her own campaign. Her list of endorsements includes San Mateo County Sheriff Greg Munks and Board of Supervisors President Don Horsley, the county's former sheriff. Rankin is married to a Redwood City Police detective.

Gee has raised the second highest amount, $23,991, all of it contributions from supporters. His endorsers include state senators Jerry Hill and Leland Yee and Assembly members Rich Gordon, Kevin Mullin and Fiona Ma.

Next in fundraising is Seybert with a total of $16,575, none of it loans. He also counts Hill, Yee, Gordon, Mullin and Ma on his list of endorsers.

Howard, who jumped into the race in late April, said Tuesday that her fundraising efforts didn't kick in until late May. Consequently, she only had $2,350 to declare by June 30. In the weeks since, Howard noted, she raised more than $17,000. Her endorsements include Congresswomen Anna Eshoo and Jackie Speier.

James (Lee) Han, the last person to enter the race, said he has raised about $2,500 and secured the support of San Mateo County Harbor Commissioner Sabrina Brennan and former state Assembly member Sally Lieber.

Email Bonnie Eslinger at beslinger@dailynewsgroup.com; follow her at twitter.com/bonnieeslinger.

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