Thoughts On The Nantucket Sheriff's Race

The Sheriff's race seems to be simmering right now rather than heating up to a full, rolling boil. There are a few lawn signs out there, but as far as I can tell, there is very little in the way of activity when it comes to campaigning. So before things really get going, here's my take on the candidates. And I'll offer this one disclaimer before you go any further: one of the candidates, Michael Kopko, is one of my best friends, and I'm helping him out with his campaign. All of which gives me an admittedly biased view. Still, I'll, as always, endeavor to call it like I see it. 

If you;re keeping score, there are two people running as independents and three running as Democrats. There is no one on the Republican Primary Ballot. This fact alone makes this rave really hard to call and very interesting. As you will see if you read further. 

The incumbent, Richard Bretschneider, Independent

Personally, I don't see how anyone can vote for this guy. By any measure, he should fail miserably. He has been found guilty of multiple ethics violations. His spending (of our money) has been, at times, frivolous (He bought several assault rifles for the island), outrageous (jet skis? does the fire department really need jet skis???), self serving and often illegal (The state and county have strict rules on how deeds excise funds can be spent and Richard often bent or outright ignored these rules). He has paid for equipment for towns other than Nantucket (that's our money going to places like the Vineyard). And then there are the civil problems in which he has been embroiled. Some of which are downright scary. Everyone has a Bretschneider story by now. One time I saw him crash a Hilary Clinton fund raiser, for which most people had paid over $1,000 a head to attend (I was there to help the Democratic Committee and to offer assistance to people who were trying to find their cars). Bretschneider walked right past the sign-in table in his civilian clothes, and when he was questioned by the staff, he claimed to be with the Secret Service. When told he did not have an invitation, he said he did not need one, and barged on through. (Say...none of the secret service got a mawful of free shrimp that evening. Hmm...) Instead of running for a third term, this guy should be hanging his head in shame. But this is Nantucket, right? He actually has the most lawn signs and bumper stickers out there. I guess if you're a local you have to support the local, no matter how many ethics violations or trips before a judge he has under his belt. Odds of winning: Even Money. Given how screwy this island can be when electing it's officials, I have to give Richard an edge. He's on the ballot, his name is well known, and he has a base of supporters who love him, big, ugly warts and all. 

Jim Perelman, Independent

Everyone likes Jim Perelman. Everyone. It's hard not to. He's a great guy who makes great barbecue and has been part of the Nantucket scene for decades. For that reason a lot of people are supporting him. I don't think he is the best choice, but he's better than what we have now, and like I said, he's a nice guy. But he's been getting some really bad political advice from his people. When he first announced he was running, the candidate I'm supporting, Michael Kopko, called him up to let him know that he had been planning to run for years and that he was happy that Jim was running because that gave the voters some good choices. At the time, Jim said he was going to run as a Democrat. Which was fine with Kopko. That meant that whoever won the Democratic primary would have the whole party behind him. But then, Jim changed his mind and decided to run as an independent and skip the primary. This took Kopko a little by surprise, but it's Perelman's right to run any way he wants to. But then something strange happened. He changed his mind again. In last week's paper, Perelman ran an ad asking people to write him in on the Democratic primary. This smacks of a rather Bretschneiderian move to me. It gives Jim Perelman two bites at the apple and if he loses the primary to Kopko (or, theoretically, Day) it will be a three-way race and Bretschneider will have an edge as Jim and the Primary winner split the "good guy" vote. That was just a bad move on the part of Jim Perelman. One that could very likely get Richard Bretschneider re-elected. Groan.  Odds of winning: 2 to 1. If he wins the primary with his write-in votes, he could very easily defeat Bretschneider. I'll happily throw my support his way if he does. If he loses in the primary, then anything can happen. 

Michael Day, Democrat

A young man with a degree in law enforcement. Despite the fact that the sheriff's job has nothing to do with law enforcement, he's running anyway. Seems like a nice enough young man. I was a judge next to him at the Iron Bartender competition at the Box a few months back, so I can attest to the fact  that he can hold his liquor. Beyond that, I have no knowledge of him aside from what I have heard through the rumor mill. His web site does not provide much information beyond what I have just said. Odds of winning: Long Shot.  Given the competition, his odds are slim of even getting on the November Ballot. 

Frank Psaradelis, Democrat. 

I have to admit to not knowing very much about Frank except that he has been a constable and election warden for over thirty years. There's very little online info that gives me any information about his candidacy. I'm sure we will find out more, but I'm not sure he has what it takes to overcome some very will funded and impressive competition. Odds of winning: Long Shot. 

Michael Kopko, Democrat. 

Michael has to be the dark horse candidate in this race. He's not as universally loved as Jim Perelman. (And to a few, he is as unloved as Bretschneider.) But he does have one thing that neither of those candidates have. Chops. He knows the job of sheriff well because as a selectman and county commissioner he has overseen the office's spending. He has a great relationship with the local government. He has worked with the governor's office and people on Beacon Hill on behalf of the island (Good experience to have given that the Sheriff now answers to the governor and no longer to the county commissioners). And he has a plan. Of which you will hear more soon, I'm sure. But still, given the strange way the primary system works, this will be a very tough race. Odds of winning: 3 to 1. 

That's how I see the race right now. Anyone have any additional thoughts?