Race for SB County Superivisor Loses a Candidate

The field of candidates interested in chasing San Bernardino County's third district seat has begun to shrink with four months to go before the June primary election.

A candidate Kenneth T. Hunter, of Redlands, told me Friday afternoon he was unsure he wanted to continue his run for the office. A few hours later, he sent out an email that confirmed he’s all but stepped aside. The statement still casts a shadow of doubt.

“At this time I am leaning towards withdrawing from the election and endorsing Neil Derry,” Hunter said through the written statement. “This is an important election and the prospect of our government being taken over by a tribal government is not acceptable to me. If James Ramos is elected, that could cause problems so big that it may make the colonies scandal look like a no fault fender bender.

“I hope that someone at the upcoming forum asks Ramos why he is embarrassed to be known as the Tribal Chairman. Is he embarrassed of his tribe? His position as their chairman? I assume he is because his campaign materials and mailers fail to mention anything about it. Therefore he does not deserve to be either the Tribal Chairman or a county supervisor.

“I believe that the best result I can help with towards defeating the tribal chairman, is to put aside my own political ambitions and endorse Neil Derry. I have contacted Neil to advise him of my decision to endorse and support him to defeat James Ramos.”

Current Third District Supervisor Neil Derry, San Bernardino Community College Board of Trustee and San Manuel Tribal Chairman James Ramos, former mayor of Twentynine Palms James R. Bagley and Robert Wilson of Colton are left in the race.

The four will address the public on March 1 at a public forum hosted by the Redlands Tea Party Patriots. The event is scheduled from 7-9 p.m. at Mill Creek Cattle Company, 1874 Mentone Blvd. in Mentone.

Meantime, Ramos has stepped up his campaign and the efforts to put down Derry’s attacks. The Derry camp put out fliers accusing Ramos, the tribal chief, of being lax on crime and even linking him to gang activity, according to some news reports.

Another Ramos mailer, that is nearly the size of a small community paper, went out to third district residents. On the back the campaign provides a warning:

“Incumbent Supervisor Neil Derry has launched a vicious, false and personal smear campaign against trusted local business owner, educator and community leader James Ramos.”

I include a photo of the warning with the story. The mailer features photos of Ramos talking to law-enforcement officials.

It’s obvious there is a good amount of uncertainty about Ramos among the the Tea Party membership which could translate to a to a strong attendance. Even some Occupy members have expressed interest in attending to hear what Mr. Ramos has to say.

This will not mean allies or relief for any of the men on the stage as Occupiers told me they are not interested in coddling any candidate.