I thought it rather impressive that when Eric Roach, a successful businessman and Republican running in the CD 50 donnybrook turned in his nomination papers, he handed over in excess of 5,000 signatures.… Read More

Most people have focused on Ventura County , because of the idiocy of Elton Gallegly and the primary challenge from Liberal Republican Bob Larkin. Many have over looked the challenge to Sharon Runner from Liberal Republican Jim Ledford who has served as Mayor of Palmdale for like 30 years. No love lost between the Runners and Ledford. See the story here.Assembly Caucus resources will be diverted to help incumbents being challenged. One other thing. Does anyone see the irony that Liberal Republicans that preach we need more women candidates are running males against two women candidates? I guess their sin was their conservatisim.… Read More

Since yesterday was qualifying, a mess of U-T stories this morning….

With Toni Atkins out, looks like Ron Roberts has pretty much a free ride for Sup re-election. Although, in this environment, any candidate that says "ethics" warrants a headline, apparently: Board candidate says he’ll sign ethics pledge

Sup Bill Horn still faces a challenge from former Assemblyman Bruce Thompson, ever popular Assessor Greg Smith faces an employee, Treasurer Dan McAllister skates free: Two supervisors, assessor to face challengers

Longtime GOP activist Michael McSweeney to take on Nakamura for SD Unified, DeBeck alone in re-bid: 3 vie for Nakamura’s school seat; de Beck is unopposed

La Mesa-Spring Valley Schools President and Republican Rick Winet to challenge former colleague Sharon Jones, newly appointed to County Board of Education (which was… Read More

H/T to Roll Call’s David Drucker for the FR shoutout…

Gallegly Announces Retirement Right at Filing Deadline

By David M. Drucker Roll Call Staff

Friday, March 10

Rep. Elton Gallegly (R-Calif.) waited until minutes before the state’s filing deadline late Friday to announce that he would not seek an 11th term.

After already filing to run for re-election in California’s 24th district, Gallegly cited an unresolved medical issue for his decision, the Ventura County Star reported.

As of the close of business… Read More

UPDATE ON BIG BONDS I had a chat with Senate Republican Leader Dick Ackerman this morning, to talk about last night’s late session to take up the first-pass at passing a general obligation bond package that is a central part of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Strategic Infrastructure Plan. Ackerman (pictured) told me that after a couple of days of very meaningful negotiations and dialogue, Senate Democrats put up a bill that was so untenable to the entire Republican Caucus that they all unanimously voted no. When I asked Ackerman about the dynamics of the vote he said, "All my caucus members had to do was read the proposal and they all voted no." The bond package put up for a vote by Senate President Pro-Tem Don Perata only vaguely resembles the original proposals for an infrastructure plan proposed by Governor Schwarzenegger back in his January State of the State Address. While the Governor has been… Read More

As the election season heats up, the Oakland mayor’s race looks like it will be one of the most interesting election in the state.

On Wednesday, Ron Dellums made an aggressive move towards City Council President Ignacio De La Fuente’s support base by holding a rally in the Fruitvale district, a predominantly Hispanic neighborhood that De La Fuente has represented for 13 years. Dellums was not alone. Hispanic activist Delores Huerta, co-founder of the United Farm Workers, came to Oakland to tell residents to vote for her fellow socialist, Ron Dellums.

It was no coincidence that on same day De La Fuente announced that the United Farm Workers was endorsing him in the… Read More

More appointments came over the transom from the Governor’s office:

THE REPUBLICANS

Kim Blackseth, 52, of Oakland, has been appointed to the Building Standards Commission. Susan Dowty, 43, of Laguna Nigel, has been appointed to the Building Standards Commission. Benita Haley, 74, of Manhattan Beach, has been appointed to the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges. Gayle Pacheco, 53, of Walnut, has been appointed to the State Rehabilitation Council. Irene Raymundo, 60, of El Dorado Hills, has been appointed chair of the Agricultural Labor Relations Board.

THE DEMOCRATS

Christina Jamison, 41, of Camarillo, has been appointed to the Building Standards Commission. Michael G. Lee, 54, of … Read More

Today and over the weekend, high-level nogotiations are taking place among the legislative leadership and the Governor – the focal point of these discussions – infrastructure investment. In January, the Governor unveiled plans for a massive $222 billion ‘strategic growth plan’ for California, and a central component of his plan – a $68 billion general obligation bond. The response to the Governor’s plan was mixed — Democrats, who love to spend money were tepid or even critical in their response, unsure how to react to a massive spending plan proposed by their political adversary – the Republican Governor. Republican reaction to the plan was also mixed – unsure of how to respond to such a large spending proposal from the top guy in their own party. I know from my personal meeting with three members of the Governor’s senior staff the day of the State-of-the-State "Build it" address — that the Governor was keenly aware that this kind of large-scale spending proposal would be uncomfortable for conservative lawmakers, and other Republicans… Read More