Change-Diaz?

Published May 19 2008, 05:43 PM by David S. Bernstein

I didn't catch Sonia Chang-Diaz's campaign kick-off event yesterday, but the text she sent today shows that she squeezed the word "change" into her speech nine times.

She downplayed the lapses and misconduct of her opponent, state senator Dianne Wilkerson, which provided the grist for Chang-Diaz's 2006 run -- although she did slip in a reference to leaders "that represent our shared progressive values AND uphold high standards of ethics and accountability." (Capitalization in the campaign's text.) We know that the incumbent has progressive values, so I think we can infer that Chang-Diaz was taking a shot at Wilkerson's behavioral issues.

Chang-Diaz's campaign manager told me last week that fundraising is going well, although we won't be getting specifics for several months. She has been certified as qualifying for the ballot, according to the Secretary of State's office.