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GLENDALE ELECTION - Election denial and threats of violence against election workers fueled by Donald Trump have become a dangerous reality of the past decade in the U.S. Los Angeles County has largely avoided this toxic trend, which has put the lives of public servants in danger and dramatically increased taxpayer expenses for security over a government function — voting — at the very core of our democracy.
But now a candidate in the city of Glendale is sparking concern of an extremist bid to take over the job of municipal clerk. Rather than taking up arms, like the insurrectionists who stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, the local candidate in question is accused of using her legs to lash out while inside a government building.
Glendale candidate Susan Wolfson, from her own social media.
Earlier this year Susan Wolfson filed to run for the office of Glendale City Clerk, a position currently held by Dr. Suzie Abajian, a Democrat who is seeking reelection. Three key functions of the city clerk role include overseeing candidate filings in Glendale, managing other election procedures in the city, and acting as administrator at the meetings of City Council.
Shane Lee’s account of candidate Susan Wolfson’s erratic behavior was the basis for a report with Glendale Police
Shane Lee is an advocate for housing construction in Glendale
It was at one such meeting of Glendale City Council, on Tuesday, March 3, that city clerk candidate Susan Wolfson caused a stir by kicking the seat of another attendee. Shane Lee is a Glendale resident and advocate for more housing construction in the city. He came to the City Council meeting to make his views known on an issue during public comment.
Wolfson appeared to disagree with Lee’s viewpoint. Wolfson reacted, following Lee’s testimony, by kicking Lee’s chair. The kicking became so disruptive that Lee summoned a police officer to intervene, according to a witness statement that Lee provided. Lee also followed up by filing a Glendale Police report.
Public service requires awareness of current events, understanding of the different levels of government and their responsibilities, and respect for public servants who carry out those responsibilities, from teachers to mail carriers to bridge and road repair technicians to librarians to armed service members and first responders.
One of the ugliest hypocrisies of the Trump era in American civic life is his adherents’ professed admiration for law enforcement officers while engaging in, excusing, indulging, or enabling attacks on police for protecting the function of government when they disagree with its message, decision, or outcome.
The erratic behavior by city clerk candidate Susan Wolfson in Glendale is not troubling simply because it calls into question her own capacity to govern her emotions and keep hostility or negative impulses in check.
What adds to the danger of such erratic behavior is that two sitting members of the City Council, both Republicans — Ara Najarian and Vartan Gharpetian — endorsed Susan Wolfson even AFTER this unruly outburst at a City Council meeting in March. Giving a seal of approval to Susan Wolfson’s misconduct is a sad and shameful step backward and an invitation to further violations in government buildings.
There is no place in governance, at any level, local or national, for the kind of lashing out by Susan Wolfson that occurred at the City Council meeting. Glendale voters have an opportunity, and a duty, to reinforce that message with their ballots in the contest for City Clerk.
(Hans Johnson is a longtime advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, environmental justice, and public education. His columns have appeared in USA Today and leading newspapers across more than 20 states. Based in Eagle Rock, he serves as president of East Area Progressive Democrats (EAPD), California’s largest grassroots Democratic club with over 1,100 members. Hans brings decades of organizing and policy experience to his work, advancing equity and accountability in local and national politics.)
