There’s never a dull moment on the El Cajon City Council, thanks to Bessmon “Ben” Kalasho. The councilman, who you may remember was sued by a beauty contestant last year, has generated all kinds of headlines since he was first elected in 2016.
Here’s the latest:
After receiving widespread criticism from Democrats and Republicans alike, Kalasho, a Democrat, has now decided to join the Federalist Party.
“The party largely disbanded in the early 1800s,” the San Diego Union-Tribune notes. But the website for a reimagined Federalist Party formed in 2016 says it holds true to the basic principles of life, freedom, and smaller government.
Whatever party Kalasho was trying to join, it isn’t qualified in California. That means he will now be listed with no party preference, according to County Registrar Michael Vu.
Why all the criticism from both sides of the political isle to begin with? Critics describe Kalasho as boorish and immature, and perhaps even in need of “help”. He says stuff like, “I look forward to using the [Tribune] story as a pee pee pad for my new pet rabbit.”
He’s also facing -- or has faced -- a mountain of legal troubles. In addition to the beauty contestant lawsuit, he’s accused of violating residents’ rights by blocking them on Facebook. He’s currently serving a three-year summary probation term after pleading guilty to misdemeanor charges of failing to pay worker’s compensation and refusing to observe a stop order issued by the California Department of Industrial Relations.
Oh, and a reporter has accused him of assault.
“These politicians out here playing checkers while I’m playing chess,” read a caption accompanying one of Kalasho’s Facebook posts.
We’ll find out if that’s true this November when El Cajon holds its first by-district election. Kalasho is running for the newly created 1st District seat, which would keep him in office through 2022. If he loses, he’ll retain his current seat on the council through 2020, which still guarantees a couple more years of entertainment.