The Anaheim ballot measure that would have shortened the mayoral term length from four years to two has been defeated.
With 100 percent of precincts reporting early Wednesday morning, 54.4 percent of voters voted against Measure D.
The measure’s defeat is a victory for Mayor Tom Tait and his supporters. They have described the measure as the latest in a series of retaliations against the mayor for his opposition to corporate tax subsidies.
Supporters of Measure D claimed it had nothing to do with Tait and was merely designed to make the mayoral seat more accountable to voters by forcing the mayor to run for reelection every two years.
The mayor argues that the city has awarded tax subsidies to politically connected interests on an unprecedented scale. He has pointed out that two recent City Council actions — a $158 million tax subsidy for or a single hotel developer and a convention center expansion — will drain more than $20 million annually from the general fund for the next generation.
Tait’s staunch opposition to corporate subsidies has alienated him from many of his former supporters.
The mayor also had a falling out with his one-time close friend former Mayor Curt Pringle, who has become the city’s most influential lobbyist since stepping down in 2010.
Please contact Adam Elmahrek directly at aelmahrek@voiceofoc.org and follow him on Twitter: twitter.com/adamelmahrek