Ex-mayors face off

Nakanishi, Raboy both seek obscure board seat

Two former mayors from Lodi and Galt have announced they have aspirations for the California Board of Equalization seat held by Republican Bill Leonard.

Republican Alan Nakanishi, who served six years in the Assembly and eight years on the Lodi City Council, and former Galt Mayor Tim Raboy, a Democrat, recently announced their candidacy for the Board of Equalization. They are among nine people who have filed a "statement of intent" to run for office in 2010.

"That's the place I could probably serve as a public servant," Nakanishi said.

Nakanishi, 69, an ophthalmologist in Lodi and Stockton, cites his experience as an Assemblyman, mayor, City Councilman and owning Delta Eye Medical Clinic as qualifications for the seat.

"I'll advocate for the taxpayer," he said.

Raboy said his goals include generating more revenue for the state by increasing the number of tax audits of businesses.

The candidates hope to replace Leonard, who will term out next year after serving eight years on the board.

The Board of Equalization is comprised of four districts. District 2, which includes Lodi and Galt, goes from Siskiyou and Modoc counties in the north to a portion of Los Angeles County to the south.

"What makes you win the race are slate cards," Nakanishi said. "I have the endorsement of 17 legislators."

As a Japanese-American ophthalmologist, Nakanishi also hopes to be an attractive candidate among Asian voters and health care professionals.

Nakanishi will have some fierce competition just to get through the Republican primary in June 2010. His primary opponents will be Barbara Alby of Fair Oaks, Roy Ashburn of Bakersfield, Jim Brulte of Rancho Cucamonga, Tom McClintock of Ventura, George Runner of Lancaster, and Edward Streichman. All except Streichman have served in the state Legislature.

"I think Nakanishi is the candidate to beat because he's raised a ton of money," Raboy said.

Raboy will be opposed in the Democratic primary by Louis Ambrose, who works for the Board of Equalization, and Chris Parker, an attorney with the Franchise Tax Board.

Nakanishi describes District 2 as one of two districts that are predominately Republican. In that district, getting through the primary may be a challenge, but the Republican nominee should have little trouble winning the November general election, he said.

Raboy, a supervising investigator with the Board of Equalization, ran for the District 2 seat in 2006 and won the Democratic primary, but lost to Leonard in the general election. He has worked with the Board of Equalization for 17 years. He notes that he is familiar with the sprawling district because territory that he serves spans from Kern County to the Oregon border.

His current duties include identifying tax cheats, serving search warrants, testifying in court, investigating criminal tax evasion, conducting field surveillance, preparing prosecution packages, citing individuals and businesses, and presenting cases to district attorneys.

For more information on Raboy, visit www.timraboy.com. Nakanishi said he plans to set up a campaign Web site within a week.

Contact reporter Ross Farrow at rossf@lodinews.com.

Just what does the Board of Equalization do?

The board serves the public in sales and use taxes, property taxes, special taxes and the tax appellate program. It is also the appellate body for franchise and income tax appeals.

Revenues support hundreds of state and local government programs and services, including schools and colleges, hospitals and health care services, criminal justice, correctional and social welfare programs, law enforcement, and consumer services, according to the Board of Equalization.

There are five board members, two from Northern California and two from Southern California. The state controller, elected at large, serves in an ex officio capacity.

Board members are elected to four-year terms. They must leave office after two terms.

News-Sentinel staff