In search of Brad Avakian

Brad Avakian’s pursuit of the Democratic nomination for Secretary of State has endured some skepticism, particularly in recent weeks, as his campaign has failed to demonstrate a competitive fundraising operation, or, for that matter, much of an organized campaign.

Kate Brown, the presumptive frontrunner for the nomination, has raised over $150,000 so far, compared to Avakian’s anemic $2,200.  But with plenty of time until the May primary, Avakian could indeed be waiting until after the New Year to really start his engines.

In fact, word is he’s in the midst of hiring a campaign manager, and, according to sources familiar with the race, has said he intends to engage more deeply starting next month.

Over the past week or two I’ve met with no success in trying to get a response from Avakian’s campaign, but I don’t think they’re ignoring my calls and messages intentionally – I attribute it more to disorganization than anything else.

Still, it begs the question: Why get into the race in July, if you’re not fully prepared to hit the ground running until January?

Last month, Avakian, who chaired the Environment and Natural Resources Committee in the Senate, was damaged when his name was raised as a potential successor to Stephanie Hallock, director of the Department of Environmental Quality, who has announced her retirement. Avakian publicly acknowledged he was intrigued by the idea, but said he would devote his energy to the SOS campaign.

Since then, Avakian’s name has been taken off the list of potential DEQ candidates, but it’s clear his fundraising has taken a hit.

Political strategist Len Bergstein challenged the characterization of Avakian as being uninterested, and predicted all three of Brown’s opponents in the race will likely see reasonable contribution levels.

“I really don’t get the sense at all that Brad’s not taking the campaign seriously,” Bergstein said. “I know he was very serious about it when he was making the decision whether to run, and I think he hit a little bit of a bump with the DEQ situation, and I think his name being knocked around as such a logical choice for the position may have taken a little bit of the wind out of his sails. I don’t believe, however, that it has anything to do with his lack of energy or seriousness,” he said, adding that Avakian, like his opponents, would all have to be taken seriously by those with interests in Salem.

“They can’t just turn their backs on any of the candidates, because those who lose the nomination will return to the Senate, so you kind of have to take their calls and lend support to their races,” he said.