New Sacramento politician got roasted by voters because her colleagues failed her | Opinion

The popularity of elected officials is often highest on the day they are sworn into office for the first time. After that, they make tough decisions that can anger people on opposite sides of issues. For many public servants, relationships with constituents can often erode slowly from there.

In the case of newly sworn-in Sacramento City Councilwoman Caity Maple, voter disenchantment happened almost immediately.

Elected to the city council last November, Maple got the endorsement of The Sacramento Bee and nearly every major progressive in the region. Then, on January 31, her first substantial vote occurred. The city council needed to decide whether to use a federal grant to purchase a Rook, an armored multi-terrain vehicle. Maple voted yes and the motion passed 7-2.

Opinion

Many criticized Maple because they viewed her vote as contrary to her stated position on demilitarizing the police. I don’t agree with that criticism and would bet that many of her constituents didn’t either.

Maple felt the need to explain herself in an op-ed a few days later.

The Sacramento City Council is much younger now than it used to be. District elections can enable people with little public office experience to get elected. So how do these newbies learn policy skills and navigate difficult political situations? That’s where mentors have a key role.

Politically-savvy colleagues and friends who can teach and support inexperienced elected officials are critical. However, it does not appear that the city of Sacramento has any reliable mentors.

When I was elected to the Yolo County Board of Supervisors in 2006, I beat an incumbent who had not been a good leader. Two months after I was sworn in, I was still in campaign mode, bashing my political opponent whenever I got a chance. Then long-time Supervisor Mike McGowan pulled me aside and said, “You won. Ignore him and go do other stuff.” McGowan was right, and I’ll never forget his advice.

Sacramento needs leaders who are willing to pass on their knowledge to the next generation. From where I sit, the city of Sacramento has not had an elected leader like that for the last 20 years.

Our leaders should ensure that new members of the council have a sounding board and are provided with the basic knowledge and support needed to perform their roles well. Teams, businesses and elected bodies that are well-run have processes that provide mentoring for new people so they can grow inside the organization.

Maple and her colleagues are going to have many more tough political votes to make. They will be reminded often that campaigning is one thing, and governing is another.

Nothing that happened to Maple should have been unanticipated. It’ s just that the people on her team and the elected officials around her failed to warn her of the consequences that come with every tough vote.

Matt Rexroad is a political consultant specializing in redistricting and independent expenditures.