• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

The Valley Citizen

Nature, Environment, History & Politics

The Valley Citizen

  • Arts
  • Education
  • Environment
  • History
  • Nature
  • Politics
  • Wit
  • About
  • RSS Icon

Rainbow over Modesto Greets New Mayor Zwahlen

February 3, 2021 By Eric Caine Leave a Comment

Rainbow Modesto Feb 2, 2021
Touchdown?

Some said the rainbow that arced over Modesto early Tuesday morning touched down at Sue Zwahlen’s residence in the city’s college district, but they must have been looking from an odd perspective. To most observers, the rainbow looked like it had one end just outside the city to the southwest, with the other end touching down in the northeast.

February 2 — Tuesday — was the official Election Day for the runoff in Modesto’s race for Mayor. The vote count wasn’t announced until after 8pm that night, but those who thought the lucky symbol boded well for Sue Zwahlen were right. Zwahlen bolted to a huge early lead— 58.33% to Doug Ridenour’s 41.67% — and Ridenour graciously conceded shortly thereafter.

“First, I want to thank Doug for conducting a good and positive campaign,” said Zwhalen as the win became apparent.

“The election was focused on issues and Modesto’s future. That’s good news for all of us. I owe so much to the people who have given me their votes, their resources and their encouragement in this campaign. We face many challenges, but those challenges are not as big as Modesto’s spirit, its commitment to improve our community, and its heart. I will do my best to serve Modesto.”

Most local elections are non-partisan, but this mayor’s race couldn’t avoid the long shadow of Donald Trump. Zwahlen received strong support from Congressman Josh Harder, and from people working in education and health. Ridenour was endorsed by local police and firefighters and by virtually every prominent local Republican. Stanislaus County Supervisors Vito Chiesa and Terry Withrow held a fundraiser for his campaign.

“Sue was a nurse running during the era of Covid,” said Mike Lynch, her campaign manager.

“In the months of this campaign, we never met anyone who actually disliked Sue…Sue has a great ability to disagree or dispute something without making it personal. She had enormous crossover appeal; she will use those skills for Modesto. She uses real words, not sound bites, and the public knew it and clearly wanted it.”

Modesto rainbow Feb 2, 2021

Though Zwahlen finished first in the General Election, many thought Ridenour would do better in the runoff. Total votes for Republicans in the first round were far more than for Zwahlen and Naramsen Goriel, the other Democratic candidate. Zwahlen may have received a boost from Modesto City Councilmember Kristi Ah You, who ran as an Independent and endorsed her shortly after failing to make the runoff.

Early demographic analytics suggest more women voted in the runoff than men, and an unusual number of first-time voters also voted. Historically, the low-turnout runoffs have favored Republicans, but this election featured a much better turnout for Democrats.

“It was a lot of hard work by a lot of people,” said Jessica Self, Chair of the local Democratic Party, “and it’s a lot easier when the candidate is this great.”

Zwahlen’s campaign motto was, “Modesto Needs a Reset,” and that message clearly resonated with a community tired of the bickering and backbiting that was such a dominant feature of Mayor Ted Brandvold’s term in office.

“I’ve known Sue for over twenty-five years, both as a friend and a neighbor,” said Frank Damrell III, who most recently served as Cathleen Galgiani’s Senior District Representative. “Sue Zwahlen is the salve the Modesto City Council needs, and her humble wisdom is the leadership our community needs.

Zwahlen said that, “tackling the issues that weigh heavy on us such as the pandemic and caring for our homeless community members” were two of her chief priorities.

Those who thought Tuesday’s rainbow over Modesto augured well for Sue Zwahlen were at least partially correct. Sue Zwhalen’s fortune and Modesto’s are the same and always have been. Doug Ridenour’s gracious concession drove that point home when he said, putting his city above party and politics, “It’s now time to rally around Sue.”

Filed Under: Politics Tagged With: Councilman Doug Ridenour, Doug Ridenour, Sue Zwahlen, Sue Zwahlen for Mayor, Sue Zwahlen for Mayor of Modesto

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Note: Some comments may be held for moderation.

Primary Sidebar

Off The Wire

Mike Pence Can?t Walk Away from the Big Lie - The Bulwark
Mike Pence Can’t Walk Away from the Big Lie – The Bulwark
Targeted on Jan. 6 for saying the election was valid, he now plays footsie with the conspiracy theorists. It’s in keeping with his character.
thebulwark.com
On Voting Rights, GOP Lawyers Say the Quiet Part Out Loud - The Bulwark
On Voting Rights, GOP Lawyers Say the Quiet Part Out Loud – The Bulwark
Arguing before the Supreme Court, they admit their case isn’t about principle or election integrity, it’s just about winning.
thebulwark.com
Could Biden Be the Most Transformative President in Living Memory? - LA Progressive
Could Biden Be the Most Transformative President in Living Memory? – LA Progressive
Most Transformative President – Biden has the chance to lead a green and digital recovery that would create millions of good jobs.
www.laprogressive.com
Louis DeJoy Is Killing It
Louis DeJoy Is Killing It
While Biden dithers, Trump’s minion wrecks the postal service.
nymag.com
So What if Romney Doesn?t Solve the ?Root Causes? of Poverty?
So What if Romney Doesn’t Solve the Root Causes of Poverty?
We handle problems all the time without dealing with their root causes.
nymag.com
The Facts of Life - The Bulwark
The Facts of Life – The Bulwark
My suggestion last week that perhaps the best way some of us who’ve been conservatives can now help the country is to help the Biden administration succeed, and help the Democratic party move to the center, seems to have stirred up a minor tempest in the conservative teapot. I asked whether one shouldn’t consider allying…
thebulwark.com
WSJ News Exclusive | Texas Electric Bills Were $28 Billion Higher Under Deregulation
WSJ News Exclusive | Texas Electric Bills Were $28 Billion Higher Under Deregulation
Texas’s deregulated electricity market left millions in the dark last week. For the past 20 years, its consumers have paid more for their electricity than state residents who are served by traditional utilities, a WSJ investigation found.
www.wsj.com
The making of Madison Cawthorn: How falsehoods helped propel the career of a new pro-Trump star of the far right
The making of Madison Cawthorn: How falsehoods helped propel the career of a new pro-Trump star of the far right
Cawthorn has emerged as one of the most visible figures among newly arrived House Republicans, who have promoted baseless assertions and pushed a radicalized ideology that has become a driving force in the GOP.
www.washingtonpost.com
Los Angeles Just Opened a Tiny Home Village for the Homeless
Los Angeles Just Opened a Tiny Home Village for the Homeless
The colorful community was built in just 13 weeks!
www.housebeautiful.com
California's coronavirus strain looks increasingly dangerous: 'The devil is already here'
California’s coronavirus strain looks increasingly dangerous: ‘The devil is already here’
California’s coronavirus strain is more transmissible than its predecessors, is more resistant to vaccines and may cause more severe cases of COVID-19.
www.latimes.com
More Than 150 Biz Leaders Endorse Biden's Sweeping COVID Package
More Than 150 Biz Leaders Endorse Biden’s Sweeping COVID Package
More than 150 business leaders from various industries have signed a letter backing President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief…
talkingpointsmemo.com
Exclusive: Defeated and impeached, Trump still commands the loyalty of the GOP's voters
Exclusive: Defeated and impeached, Trump still commands the loyalty of the GOP’s voters
www.usatoday.com

Find us on Facebook

The Valley Citizen
PO Box 156
Downtown Bear Postal
1509 K Street
Modesto, CA 95354

Email us at:
thevalleycitizen@sbcglobal.net

Footer

The Valley Citizen
PO Box 156
Downtown Bear Postal
1509 K Street
Modesto, CA 95354

Email us at:
thevalleycitizen@sbcglobal.net

Subscribe for Free

* indicates required

Search

• Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2021 The Valley Citizen

Dedicated to the memory of John Michael Flint. Contact us at thevalleycitizen@sbcglobal.net

Editor and publisher: Eric Caine

Website customization and maintenance by Susan Henley Design