Lamenting Lena’s Leaving

Lena Saradnik is a classy dame. Everyone who meets her is inspired by her enthusiasm, her personal charm, and her dedication to public service. She never forgets the humanity of those she disagrees with, and that is too rare a trait in politics these days.

So it was with great sadness – sadness that I know is shared by the entire community – that I wish her and Steve all the best as they focus on her health and continue their journey back to wellness.

Of course, everyone is now wondering who will step forward to be nominated by the elected PCs of LD 26 for selection by the Board of Supervisors to replace her. Whomever it is will need to be able to step up and fill some very capable shoes in a very short period of time. With the session beginning on the 14th, the selectee will be stepping into the torrent midstream.

The name that everyone immediately mentions is Don Jorgenson, who has already filed to run as Lena’s seat-mate. It looks very likely that he will be nominated and selected to take her seat. I think the entire party in LD 26 is firmly behind Don, and his selection will be fairly uneventful. I would be surprised if anyone stepped forward to actually challenge Don. Instead, I think it likely that some party regulars will allow themselves to be nominated pro forma.

Cheryl Cage is a name that will be familiar to all in LD 26, as she was instrumental in helping the Democrats to victory with her role in both Lena Seradnik’s and Charlene Pesqiuera’s campaigns. I don’t know if Cheryl is interested in challenging Don, but now that the primary is very likely clear, I could certainly see Cheryl putting herself forward for the second seat that Don would have ran for.

Everyone else who might have occurred to me as possible claimants of Lena’s seat have said that they back Don. I will be sure to update with any further developments but I think Lena’s replacement will be much less upsetting for the party than Lena’s resignation has been.