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

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

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

Republicans looking to choose between multiple candidates in a race are going to have to look elsewhere than the Insurance Commissioner’s seat. Six months ago, there was a spirited three-way primary going on between Dr. Phil Kurnzer, wealthy businessman Steve Poizner, and attorney Gary Mendoza. In the intervening months, Poizner’s campaign has been in high-gear, raising tons of cash, and amassing lots of endorsements. Most recently, last weekend, the endorsement of the conservative California Republican Assembly.

In the meantime, a couple of weeks ago, Dr. Phil hung it up, announcing that he was not longer a candidate. Today, I heard from Gary Mendoza’s campaign — he, too, has decided not to run. Mendoza’s departure, while not unexpected, is an example of another great guy who won’t be on the ballot. I’ve known Gary since our mutual involvement in former-Congressman, now SEC Chairman Chris Cox’s first Congressional campaign back in 1988. Gary held up the GOP banner as the nominee for Insurance Commissioner in 2002 — but was not able to win. Anyways, I am sure we’ll… Read More

I’ve been contacted by several people advancing this theory, explaining what happenned today with Gallegly…

Supposedly the Congressman filed for reelection, and THEN decided (due to health reasons) that he would not run again – apparently not realizing that once you file your candidacy, you cannot “unfile” – thus he is on the ballot, and because he (the incumbent) technically filed for re-election, filing closed. I was told that Gallegly had assumed he would be able to “unfile” and this filing would be open for another week….

Now we have this bizarre situation of Gallegly on the GOP ballot but not wanting to be, this unknown guy, Tannenbaum.

Rumor has it that Strickland may seek legal recourse on Monday, asking a judge to extend filing in light of this bizarre thwarting of the democratic process…… 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