In the recent Roseville City Council race, Pete Constant faced a narrow defeat that has left many wondering what could have been done differently. One key factor that may have tipped the scales is Constant's lukewarm stance on parents' rights during his tenure as President of the Roseville Joint Union High School District (RJUHSD). This issue proved to be a major sticking point for voters, who instead threw their support behind Nick Busse, a candidate who championed parents' rights.
The numbers tell a compelling story. Here's a breakdown of the vote totals and campaign donations for each candidate in the Roseville City Council race:
| Candidate | Votes | Donations |
| Karen Alvord | 9,518 | $63,700 |
| Pete Constant | 4,224 | $44,272 |
| Nick Busse | 3,739 | $22,000 |
Despite the significant gap in funding, Busse still managed to garner 3,739 votes. It's worth considering how the race might have played out if Constant had taken a stronger position on parents' rights, potentially securing the votes and financial backing that ultimately went to Busse.
Interestingly, the boundaries of Pete Constant's City Council district 5 and Jonathan Zachreson's Roseville City School Board district 5 are quite similar. Here's a table showing the vote totals and donations for each candidate in the Roseville City School Board race:
| Candidate | Votes | Donations |
| Jonathan Zachreson | 5,507 | $26,000 |
| Steve Lesch | 5,377 | $14,000 |
| Cassie Lin | 4,183 | $12,000 |
| Holly Cuthbertson | 4,427 | $20,500 |
| Julie Constant | 3,557 | $6,700 |
Zachreson, a vocal advocate for parents' rights, emerged victorious in his race, even securing votes that might have otherwise gone to Constant's wife, Julie. This dynamic further highlights the importance of the parents' rights issue in the eyes of the community.
Had Pete and Julie Constant taken a stronger stance on parents' rights, they might have been able to prevent Nick Busse from siphoning off crucial support from Pete's city campaign. Furthermore, if Julie had chosen not to run for the Roseville City School District, and Pete had embraced a more robust pro-parents' rights platform, the pro-parents' rights faction may not have felt compelled to rally behind Busse.
In this alternate scenario, it's conceivable that Jonathan Zachreson and Pete could have run complementary campaigns. With Zachreson's supporters potentially backing Pete at a higher rate, Pete might have been able to edge out his main competitor, Julia Alvord, who raised an impressive $63,700 and spent $58,900 on her campaign.
It's impossible to say with certainty how the race would have unfolded if the Constants had adopted a different approach to parents' rights. However, the data suggests that this single issue played a significant role in the outcome of the election. In retrospect, a stronger commitment to parents' rights might have been the key to victory for Pete Constant in the Roseville City Council race.
As the dust settles on this election cycle, one thing is clear: the voice of parents in the community cannot be ignored. The success of candidates like Jonathan Zachreson and the surprising support for Nick Busse demonstrate that voters are paying close attention to how their elected officials handle issues that directly impact their children's education and well-being.
In the end, the Constants' story serves as a cautionary tale for future candidates. In the current political climate, taking a stand on crucial issues like parents' rights is not just a matter of personal conviction—it can be the difference between victory and defeat at the ballot box. As we look ahead to future elections, it will be interesting to see how candidates navigate this complex landscape and whether they choose to make parents' rights a central pillar of their campaigns.
Only time will tell if the Constants will learn from this experience and adapt their approach in future elections. One thing is certain, though—the voters of Roseville have sent a clear message that they value strong advocates for parents' rights, and they're willing to put their money and votes behind candidates who share their views.