FLASHREPORT

Measure D -- the attempt by the Orange County firefighters union to grab a portion of future growth in Prop. 172 public safety funds for themselves -- is going down to an overwhelming defeat.

The first absentees are in, and it ain't pretty for the firefighters:

Yes	55,361	26.2%
No	156,233	73.8%

There is no way the OCPFA (the firefighters union) side can overcome that kind of gap with Election Day votes.

This is a big loss for the OCPFA. It weakens their clout with elected officials, their image with voters, and their capacity to influence the two Board of Supervisor races taking place next year.

On the other hand, it's a big win for the AOCDS (the sheriff's deputies union), as well as their allied government unions, the Board of Supervisors, District Attorney Attorney and embattled Sheriff Mike Carona.

Chalk it up as another big win for the Lewis Consulting Group -- former state Sen. John R. Lewis and partner Matt Holder (full disclosure I worked with Matt as a staffer for John Lewis back in the day, and count both as good friends). At the start of the campaign, Measure D was favored 85-15 in early polling. Lewis, Holder (and mail consultant Chris Jones) have once again proven themselves Orange County's top consulting outfit.

UPDATE (11:32 p.m.):  With 739 of 979 precincts reporting, Measure is still getting walloped, 73.2% to 26.8%.