Supporters of Mike Brem, candidate for Mayor, recently sent out mailers questioning the experience and accomplishments of opponent Gary Soiseth.
The mailer (shown below) raised a series of issues, calling Soiseth’s qualifications into question. The mailer started with, “Who’s Better Qualified to Be Turlock’s Next Mayor? Experience matters. That’s why this year’s election is critical for Turlock. Here’s how your mayoral candidates compare…”
A professional photo of Brem next to a personal photo of Soiseth from his time working in Afghanistan.
Brem, age 59, touted 40 years of business experience in the private sector, while stating Soiseth, age 30, as having “none.”
Brem also stated being registered to vote in Turlock for more than 20 years, and compared it with Soiseth as being registered to vote in Turlock “less than a year.”
The mailer continues, stating an array of community experience including being chairman of the Turlock Planning Commission, sitting on the Turlock Economic Development Task Force, and being president of the Turlock Rotary Club, while stating his opponent as having “none.” Brem was recognized as being previously named Business Leader of the Year, and Agriculture Leader of the Year, while recognizing Soiseth with “none.”
Brem made no comment to TurlockCityNews.com regarding the mailers, only stating that he did not send them. The mailers were sent by the North Valley Labor Federation at the total cost of $4,138, according to a 496 Independent Expenditure Report filed with the City of Turlock.
Soiseth took to social media to respond to the mailer and edited the mailers with commentary.
“Below is a very misleading mailer from the supporters of my opponent. Whether you received one in your mailbox or not, I wanted to take the time to clarify a few quick facts. I also want to restate my commitment to running a clean, positive, issues-based campaign for a stronger Turlock!” stated Soiseth.
He explained his personal commitment to running a clean, positive, and issues-based campaign and wrote, “Experience matters. Facts matter. Integrity matters!”
Soiseth responded to the attacks, with specific examples where Brem stated he lacked.
Among the responses, Soiseth stated his ownership of Soiseth Farms, his position of Director of Economic Growth in Southern Afghanistan, lifelong Turlock residency, founding and presidency of a Teen Advisory Council Program in Turlock, volunteering with Westside Ministries, and a series of awards; included were those from the U.S. Army, USDA, and Department of State.
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Courtesy of Gary Soiseth for Mayor Facebook
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I went to high school with Gary. He grew up in the country outside of Turlock. He only moved to Turlock this year. His statements about being a lifelong resident are a lie. He even admitted to only recently being able to register to vote in Turlock during the last debate. Why won’t TCN report on this? These are facts. Verifiable facts. Pull up his voting record. Pull property records. You know, like journalism stuff.
Where are the poll results? Why is it taking so long?
The article states that the mailer was sent out by Brem supporters, but does not mention who they are? Also, if he had nothing to do with the mailer why does the article make it sound like he wrote it?
Well this is awkward. We’ll be taking down our Brem yard sign now. Turlock needs positivity right now. We’ll still think Mike is a good guy but he’s made some bad decisions in his campaigning.
The article says Brem supporters sent out the mail. This does not mean Brem sent them out himself. Relax people. They’re running for Mayor of Turlock not for the Presidency. The article seems to be trying to create conflict not inform people. I recommend the Modesto Bee, the Turlock journal or any other credible website. I have no problem with the idea of this website, however, it lacks the credibility. In fact it seems to be more of a tabloid creating controversy. TCN please attempt to write using informative language not juicy diction that fuels controversy.
TCN,
Tell us how this is just the Turlock mayor’s race and not the presidency yet Brem has hired a political consultant out of Sacramento and a PR person and has no volunteer base while Soiseth has all volunteers and a friend as a campaign manager.
TCN can you please show us more about Brem’s union endorsements. Yes, more than just this one that attacked a local candidate like it was the presidency.
TCN show us the connection between Mayor Lazar’s Democrat Party connections using those unions like it was the presidency election.
Brem is hiding money and sending attack ads like it is the presidency. TCN should stop using diction to sugar coat Brem’s Democrat Party ran campaign.
Mr Brem did not send out the pamphlets, his supporters did. Secondly,Mr. Brem would never intentionally hide campaign money. I have numerous mutual acquaintances with Brem who will confirm this. In fact, the reason that mistake happened is misinformation on FPPC’s website. Thirdly, both Brem and Soiseth are recieving numerous contributions from unions or people in Washington. Fourthly, many republicans agree with Brem’s ideas. However, whoever Turlock votes for will be a good choice for the city.
Brem belongs to the good ole boy club, we don’t need another one of those.
Moral to my story is: don’t jump to conclusions when you’re only looking at half the information or story.
I don’t want another old fart in politics. Old people don’t care about the future like fellow young people do and are more likely to belong to the good ole boy networks. Corrupt Lazar’s endorsement of Brem was an instant vote for Soiseth for me. What’s very telling as well is, when you’re driving through the rich part of town, all you see are Brem signs. You get to the more humble areas and it’s ALL Soiseth signs. Brem is going to do things for the wealthy minority, like the typical politician. We’ve had enough of that in Turlock, time for someone with a young, fresh perspective.
The only thing you can ding the mailer for is the bad picture everything else is true. Who the hell uses high school club experience as experience for elected office?
No SHOCKER here, just DIRTY POLITICS FROM A GRUMPY DESPERATE GERIATRIC FOOL! The OLD FOOL’S flyer came in handy, I repurposed the flyer to extract my rotties pile from my lawn, BUT I first removed Turlock’s next Mayor Gary Soiseth image from the flyer, do to the great respect and admiration I have for Gary, He reminds me of our young JFK! Hey GERIATRIC DESPRATE FOOL start working on your concesion speech this weekend, you’ll be needing it! P.S you remind me of Bob Dole, and he LOST! And that wasteful investment of $4,138.00 could of been spent as a Good Deed Donation at the Senior Center to help out our wonderful well deserving senior’s of Turlock!
To be completely honest, I don’t think either candidate is anything special. Flip a coin. We all lose.
The applaud the kid for wanting to be involved in the community but to begin your community service as mayor? We all need to start somewhere and have learned in life when you work hard and earn you tend to value the position and earn the respect of people than just starting at the top with no experience like the city manager. Not saying he wouldn’t be a bad mayor, he just needs to pay his dues as everybody else in life.
The old guy will be an out of touch audocrat. The young guy will be an inexperienced scatter brain. Pick your poison.
All these young kids think they can just lead without any experience. They all point to Obama as their inspiration, but he’s a terrible leader and also never paid his dues. Soiseth should have ran for council or planning commission.
My curiosity got the best of me and I ran a quick property search on the County’s website. Doesn’t look like Soiseth owns a home in Turlock or anywhere else. Does he still live with his parents?
How can it be an attack mailer when everything stated is true??? AWKWARD
Soiseth is running on[b]Super PAC [/b]money and [b][b]he doesn’t live in Turloc[/b]k[/b]. He rents an apartment in Turlock as a loop hole to show he has a local address to be eligible to run for mayor/office.
He is part of the [b]REAL DEAL CORPORATE CLUB[/b]
It is easy to see that the Soiseth campaign is an advertiser on the TCN website, thus it is also easy to see how skewed & biased the “articles” written on this site about the Turlock mayoral race. As a long time resident of Turlock who loves the city, it should also be easy to see that the young, inexperienced candidate is fodder in the political machine who will pretty much tell people what they want to hear to get votes – nothing more. He doesn’t care about Turlock & just wants to move on to his next campaign. Don’t be foolish people & be careful what you wish for – how is that whole “hope” thing working out?
TCN please stop your yellow journalism.
How come Brem didn’t advertise on this website? I’m sure he would equal time as Soiseth.
I would never vote for anyone that is slinging mud………..
Not nice MIKE BREM