Today, the Journal was made aware of numerous mailers that have reportedly been sent over the past week to residents of Humboldt County’s 1st District. All the mailers claim to have been paid for, at least in part, by Rex Bohn’s campaign for a seat on the Board of Supervisors. Taken together, they offer decidedly mixed messages, allying Bohn with both major political parties and both sides on two propositions. Take a look (click each image to enlarge):
Here’s one sent under a banner reading “THE TEAM FOR DEMOCRATIC VOTERS.” It includes quotes from Democratic Party heroes like John F. Kennedy and recommends voting for the full Democratic ticket: Barack Obama, Dianne Feinstein, Jared Huffman and Wes Chesbro. Also, Rex Bohn.
Here’s the flip-side of the same mailer:
According to the fine print (below), the mailer was paid for and authorized by Bohn’s campaign and the “Yes on 29” campaign. That’s what the asterisks means.
This apparent Democratic support might come as a surprise to many, considering Bohn was registered Republican until June of last year — the same month he announced his candidacy for 1st District Supervisor. He changed his registration to Independent. Yet, according to the mailer below, Republicans aren’t holding it against him:
Here’s yet another mailer, this one from “Election Digest.” It recommends voting for Barack Obama for president, Dianne Feinstein for U.S. Senate and, yes, Rex Bohn for Humboldt County Supervisor. Bohn reportedly split the cost of this mailer with the campaigns for “Yes on 28” and “No on 29.” That’s right, “No” on 29 — the opposite position of the “Democratic Team” mailer above.
The true-blue Democrat mailer says, “The American Cancer Society wrote Prop 29 to fund life-saving cancer research in California.” The mailer above says it has “too many flaws.”
Does “Yes on 29” know Bohn is associating with “No on 29?”
At least he’s consistent on Prop. 28, right? Um…
Wrong.
Above is yet another flier, this one for the “Budget Watchdogs” out there. It claims to have been paid for by Bohn, Daniel Roberts (a Republican candidate for U.S. Congress), “No on 29” (again) and “No on 28.”
The Election Digest mailer says Prop 28 “will make Legislature more effective and accountable.” Budget Watchdogs call it a “SCAM,” in all caps.
To sum up: In the last week, Bohn has appeared on mailers supporting both Democrats and Republicans, both “Yes on 28” and “No on 28,” and both “Yes on 29” and “No on 29.” And according to the mailers themselves, he has paid to share space with each and every one of these positions.
We called Bohn earlier today after seeing the top mailer over at the Humboldt Herald blog. He claimed not to know what the Humboldt Herald is and said he couldn’t comment on the mailer because he hadn’t seen it. We offered to email him a link to the image. He said to send it to his campaign email address but warned he wouldn’t be able to look at it until “after 4:30 or 5 because I’m at work.”
We offered to send it to a work email. “I don’t use it,” he said. Then, “It’s for work only.”
He again said he couldn’t comment on the mailer because he couldn’t see it. Then he said, “I’m leaving here about 4 and I’m gonna go walk until about 5:30, 6 or 6:30.”
We offered to send him a link while on the phone. “Well I don’t work — pretty much — in an office. I’m out in the field mainly. I’m actually out in the yard on a piece of equipment right now.”
We offered to describe the mailer to him and then did so, mentioning the full slate of Democratic endorsements with his name in the middle of the flier. We read the phrase beneath his name: “Rex Bohn the Best Call! For ensuring jobs, public safety and preservation of the beautiful north coast environment.”
“Hmm, good statement,” Bohn said. But he still didn’t know whether or not the mailer came from his campaign, as it clearly stated. “I can’t say if it’s mine or not. I don’t know.”
After learning of the other mailers, we sent Bohn an email and left two message on his cell phone. We’ll update this post with his response, once we hear back.
This article appears in Amateur Hour.
Where was this invistigative journalism when Bonnie Neely did the same thing in 2010?
When Paul Gallegos did it in 2010?
Nice to see that you get your scoops from an anonymous smearblog, the flying Heraldos.
Well, we’ve been waiting for your “october surprise”, and if THIS is all you have, well, suffice to say, pretty lame.
Yeah Yeah, I know, ya’ll aren’t stenographers, but ya’ll sure as shit aren’t unbiased journalists either.
Advocacy Hacks, NCJ is thy name.
Nice try, “Duh”.
No local candidate has ever come close to this kind of double deception.
If anyone in the 1st District happens to read this before they vote, please vote for Cheryl A. Seidner, a proven — and honest — leader.
Nice job, Ryan. I hope people will be paying attention before they vote. Cheryl is the right choice for our district.
He doesn’t know what the humboldt herald is, LIE. He hasn’t seen the mailer, LIE. He can’t comment, LIE.
He’s the Democratic candidate: LIE
He’s the Republican candidate: LIE
Paul Gallegos has done this EVERY SINGLE TIME he has been up for any kind of election. He even went so far as to call himself a ‘professor’ last time – and you? Yawned. No. Snored.
The response has always been, what’s the big deal? Why all the sudden indignation? Where the hell have you been all this time?
It was a staff member’s mistake to say Paul’s teaching at HSU made him a professor, Rose. You know that.
Indignation? Not really.
No surprise. Just disgust.
And, btw – where’s the piece on Susan Adams and her TWO Salzmans?
Another anonymous smear site – with the dude coming clean, what, yesterday? And bragging about the reason he did it anonymously – to get MORE media attention for his “research” attacking her opponent…
Do you have a link?
Bohn probably doesn’t even know what an email is or how to use a computer.
In fairness to Rex, campaigns pay to be “on” these “slate mailers” they don’t actually “produce” them. It’s not unusual to be on two that may also sell space to competing campaigns (yes and no on 29)
The fact that he can’t take the time to respond and/or does not know the answer to the questions should let voters know what they can expect when they try to contact Rex about an issue in their community if he was elected.
Campaigns don’t actually produce them? No, but they submit their words and pay for the production and mailing.Some were produced by the campaign, like the one aimed at Republicans (above). One you haven’t even published tried to imply Rex was endorsed by Eureka City Schools.
Fairness to Rex? The campaign must think people are pretty stupid. I hope they turn out to be wrong.
it might be different if it wasn’t the night before the election, don’t you think?
where was the journal when patrick cleary and paul gallegos did the same thing?
Night before the election, different?
These are last-minute hit pieces.
When else would this come out?
Shoot the messenger if you must.
But if you’ve invested in Rex – ooops.
Why dont you run then Judy?
Or for that matter you….Ryan.
You seem to have all of the questions and pat answers.
Not much in the way of solutions.
For my part I say that the media however trivial is still there to inform more than provoke.
Walk the walk Journal.
Your slip is showing Judy
Telling is when somebody points out an obvious lie, the only defense is “but so and so did it too!”
sounds pretty sketchy if you ask me. Maybe Mr. Bohn is getting caught up in the many webs of lies and half truths he has created for himself? I would bet that Mr. Bohn is never at work until 4 or 4:30. And Mr. Bohn does not operate equipment either, or spend much time in the field. All lies because he couldn’t or wouldn’t answer some simple questions. Be prepared if he is elected, you have only seen the tip of the ice berg!
It would appear Rex Bohn is realizing what its like to be someone else’s useful idiot.
Hope you enjoy the feeling of that hand up your ass, Rex. It’s going to be there for at least four years.
But you’ve lost the respect of good people.
rob arkleys arrogance these days is astounding! he buys who he wants, lies when he wants and voters lap it up.
I love all the manufactured outrage. Excellent reporting indeed – thanksf for the laugh, Carol.
First the multi paragraph hit piece about Rex’s correctible omissions on with regards to occupations with a one or two sentence mention that Mark Lovelace’s reports carried the same correctible omissions – ohhhh the horror.
RexBohnGate? Not quite
What’s next? May I suggest that Ryan use Heraldo as a source once again and see that Seidner has chastised supposed Bohn supporters for making comments on her facebook page?
What Oops@8:29 and many others in the ole blogosphere don’t seem to realize is that the vast majority of HumCo residents don’t read these local blogs – its probably no more than two-three hundred folks, tops.
In fact, a couple of years ago I spoke with someone who’s company was doing outreach via the blogosphere in HumCo and the studies they did showed that it was no more than 150-200 people.
For every TRA or Mitch who LIVE here, there are thousands that don’t even log in…This is clearly evidenced by the steamrollering that local progressive candidates other than PVG took in the November 2010, leading the wailing and gnashing of teeth as to how this could possibly happen by the likes of John C. Osborn and others.
Short answer is, you all live here on the NCJ blog and Heraldo, surrounded by others of like mind, with absolutely no idea what most everyone else out here in the real world thinks.
Tomorrow night will be another reality check for you, despite Ryan’s best efforts.
I’ve been saying this for months now…follow the money and who ponied up to know where a candidate will go.
No one can raise a quarter of a million dollars and not expect to favor those who donated.
If someone can’t keep track of where their campaign went, then how can they keep track of serious County business?
To paraphrase Duh: “I’m immoral but no one pays attention so I will keep doing it.”
Rex Bohn is now as evil as the Duhheads he’s aligned himself with.
Duh, are you part of the Bohn campaign? I bet you are. Does Rex know you’re doing this?
rex was a respected member of this community. was.
Politics is for evil mother fuckers.
Do not listen to None of the Above.
Rex Bohn is done more for this town then anyone. He should win.
Well, a few years ago there might have been a few locals who read blogs, but that changes every month. In fact, I would almost bet money that the Duh supporter is Rex’s wife, she has been frequently caught posting in his defense as a “average citizen” on the old Times-Standard forums. I see that Frank Jager has thrown his support at Rex, but he doesn’t live in 1st District does he? And if he thought Rex was so great, then why didn’t he appoint him to the council last year when he had the chance? I think Frank knew what the rest of us do, Rex is not leadership material and needs to stick to hosting fundraising events. This is why Rex LOST the election to get on the council, he is too transparent despite the smoke and mirrors of local “celebrities” he tries to distract voters with. Personally, I think tomorrow night will be more like “Three Strikes, You’re OUT!” than “The Best Call”.
“Town” is the problem. We don’t want Eureka politicians taking over the county government.
Rex lost big-time when he ran for city council. He moved across town to run for supervisor. His backers are establishment Eureka fat cats. His campaign lies and he says he doesn’t know anything.
Nothing about Rex says “put me in charge of the government”. I appreciate you sentiments, “shame”, but will respectfully resist your guilt-tripping partisanship.
So this is the big election eve surprise. Keep trying to whip up a froth of rabid voter discontent.
Lmao.
Neely did it. No biggie, everyone does it.
Gallegos Did it. It’s cool we here at the NCJ LOVE our DA.
Bohn did it Sandal!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sandal!!!!!!
If duhs level of thinking is any indicator of how logic works in the Bohn household, and this is how Rex is going to deal with state level representatives, we as a county are royally screwed.
Please stay, Jimmy.
Birkenstock!!!!!!!!
I’m not sure Rex Bohn was told he was running for supervisor.
Bohn and the rest of the local conservative developer coalition officially HATE the Northcoast Journal.
Listen to Arkleys late KINS talk shop appearance for further proof.
who’s calling this a hit piece? this is what a NEWSpaper is supposed to do. If this is a “hit piece” then what bohn is trying to pull is a far more elaborate and widespread “hit piece” on the entire public.
I have complained directly on this website about the NCJ’s lack of coverage during past elections. They have balked at pointing out obvoius discrepencies. I would be a hypocrite if I said this is a bad exception, because this thread is the type of material that should be at the forefront of a candidates media attention.
Is it strange that you are letting your most biased author handle a story and using Heraldo as a source after all the Salzman bullshit?
The NCJ has slipped so far that it almost like you want us to believe anything that you print, including BatBoy prom photos.
It’s too late for this smear campaign against Bohn. Desperate times and desperate measures, but you waited too long.
anon.r.mous, I see bohn’s own and actual representation “being used”…scroll your internet browser page up and take a look for yourself. I see that the NCJ has spelled out the obvious misinformation that’s been spread by bohn’s own and actual representation. I see that bohn refuses to discuss it by way of lying about his knowledge of it.
Bohn is the only candidate in Humboldt County’s political history to use phony front-group mailers and TV ads, because his leadership skills, credentials, experience, endorsements, and volunteerism are deemed inadequate by his own supporters and campaign team.
We’re talking about the highest political office in Humboldt County!
This WAS front page news in 2004, when the NCJ investigated the source of Bohn’s phony front-group…a single lawyer sitting in a Sacramento office..with ties to Arkley!
How bittersweet it is to read this 2012 front page story on a blog.
Maybe that’s why we don’t know who’s behind this corruption, how many tens of thousands of dollars it cost, and how it’s being reported on Bohn’s campaign contribution reports…if at all.
“How bittersweet it is to read this 2012 front page story on a blog.”
Very bittersweet. I praise ryan for publishing it here, but this story should have made it into newstand print a week ago. A county supervisor is no smallfry job.
Despite our “information age”…there’s powerfully little of it!
Will voters be kept informed on this county’s agent of landmark political corruption by November?
Local reporters and media sources have remained remarkably well-heeled to avoid headlining simple, uncomfortable truths about Humboldt’s most powerful political shot-callers.
The NCJ’s 2010 “Interested Parties” by John Osborn was the first, and the last, to report how Bohn’s development community contributors have been winning all local elections outside Arcata, as they’ve done for over a generation…with painfully few exceptions.
This is the reason Bohn’s donor list omits occupations despite the well-understood violations of law. It’s just another carefully calculated “incompetence” by Bohn’s veteran political advisers.
There is some humor in watching Bohn’s supporters, and the campaign itself, resort to election-reporting illegalities and corrupt fliers thinking they can win 51% today!
“Arrogance” “ignorance” and “incompetence” do not quite suffice.
They are running a systematically corrupt, poorly reported, campaign.
And yes, thank you Ryan!
duplication/or confusion. better late than never. A hit piece is not Journalism.Diversion does not inform the voter–YOU
I wish I’d kept my childhood decoder ring for that comment.
This stinks of Salzman, again.
For clowns like Derpy, Richard Salzman and Rob Arkley are behind everything.
I can’t believe he won. What a sad day for Humboldt. People are far too complacent these days, I wonder what the voter turnout was. Tragic.
Typical right-wing obfuscation, lying, and denial. They are deceptive scum. Can’t believe he got elected. Humboldt County: Get ready to be Bohned.
Oh boo fucking hoo. Go eat your grapes, Auntie. Even though they’re sour, they are sweet compared to your lame ass.
Here’s hoping for a bit more even handed coverage the next time. Think we can expect that NCJ? After all, you guys are not stenographers…but that’s right, you aren’t unbiased journalists either, you’re biased advocacy hacks.
I was taught as a child never to touch anythingwet, it could have germs and make you sick.
I have followed that advise and would nevershake hands with the slimy looking Rex Bohn, Matthew Owen or his wife Virginia Bass.