Oceanside City Treasurer Gary Ernst, who passed away in September, has won re-election over his challenger Nadine Scott. The bizarre outcome has set up a possible fight over how the next city treasurer will be chosen.
Oceanside officials said there was no time to get Ernst’s name removed from the ballot before the election. That left Scott with the awkward task of reminding voters that her opponent was dead. Scott did all she could to get the word out but Ernst still won by a 6 point margin.
Scott is hoping she will now be appointed to the position, having received 15,500 votes. City Councilman Jerry Kern wants to see the city appoint someone else entirely.
“Even though Gary passed away, he is still better qualified than she is,” Kern told the Voice of San Diego.
Ouch.
Kern was one of the people continuing to rally supporters to vote for Ernst even after his death. Scott has called that highly unethical. If the city chooses not to appoint someone in Ernst’s place, it could hold a special election. That would cost around $500,000.