Assemblymember Bill Maze, who represents the one of the largest state legislative districts in North America, will be vacating his seat in 2008 due to term limits.ý Already, a front-runner has emerged in the campaign to succeed this outstanding Republican legislator in the sprawling 34th Assembly District a safe GOP seat that covers four counties and stretches from Tulare County in the San Joaquin Valley to Needles, a city nestled alongside California’s border with Arizona. The candidate is current Maze Assembly District Aide Bob Smith, who is well on his way to replacing his boss:

Take a look at the key points of Bob Smith’s (full disclosure: I have personally endorsed Bob Smith’s candidacy) impressive biography:

In response to my commentary this morning, Duf Sundheim asked if I would publish a response from him, which appears below. Duf takes issue with the fact that I did not contact him directly to verify the accuracy of the information — a fair point…

It looks like signing off on the horendous hike in the state wage mandate on California employers (called by the left a "minimum wage increase") bought the Governor about seven and a half months of good will from the unions. Now the honeymoon is over.… Read More

Yesterday, Covina voters elected well-known Republican and former Schwarzenegger appointee to head the California Youth Authority Walt Allen to the Cit Council. Walt had served before his appointment and is 1st Vice Chair of the Los Angeles County Republican Party.

In Very Big News Voters also rejected the utility tax. What is interesting here is that this tax has been in place since 1992. When it was first voted in, the entire city council was recalled. (I was a consultant on that campaign) Then the new guys kept the tax and it was later approved in a city vote.

So Congrats Walt, now you get to make some budget cuts! See article here… Read More

Roy Burns, immediate past President of ALADS [ Assn of LA Deputy Sheriffs], one of the largest police unions anywhere, forced a runoff against liberal Georgia Mercer. The election was an effort by 4 Republicans to challenge 4 pro-Teacher union incumbents, from the long term control by teacher unions over the largest Community College District in America.

Roy Burns was the only one to force a runoff. The other Republican candidates didn’t have a crowded field and the union slate won easily.

Roy Burns came to our attention, when he represented ALADS trying to forge closer ties to Republicans. One of the great contradictions, is how can police officers—generally conservative—thrown huge chunks of moneyto liberal democrats. The answer is easy. Liberals will grant any government employee unlimited benefits. Still, the problem for Republicans, how can we help divide the Government Union Unbreakable wall?

So, we have the "Shawn Steel exception." Divide and conquer. It worked for Caesar. Government Unions are bad for the republic unless they are a police union. If a person is a first responder and a sworn officer, then… Read More

Congressman Kevin McCarthy, who is quoted towards the end of this story from the Politico website, is 100% correct. I’ve bolded his quotes.

Redistricting and Blade Running By David Mark, The Politico In a move aimed at cementing House Democrats’ newly minted majority, California politicians are walking a tightrope on the volatile topic of redistricting. Under pressure from Washington, they are trying to keep their power to draw congressional district lines, while appearing to support good-government efforts to move redistricting out of politics. … Read More

Apparently the fun of election night – the last day flurry of GOTV leading up to the closing of the polls, a quick shower and change of clothes and rushing to the election eve party in time to catch the first returns about a half hour after the polls close, then watching returns come in for the next couple of hours, and then hearing the victory and concession speeches, all before midnight – is something I’ll have to tell the young people in Riverside County about, because our Registrar of Voters can’t seem to get it together.

Yesterday, there was a special election in Desert Hot Springs. A whopping 1,604 people voted, 1,025 by absentee ballot. Yet, the absentee results were not on the website by 10 PM, and the final results werereleased sometime after I turned in at 11:30PM – hey, I have a 3 year old!.

Scott Matos won the counil seat by 10%, Measure A lost 53% to 47% for those following the Desert Hot Springs saga.

Whatever excuse is mouthed is not acceptable since this same problem has existed in the last 3 elections. Perhaps the registrar has an interest in a newspaper and wants to make us all read it the next… Read More

Jason Roe, formerly the Washington, D.C. "Beltway" Correspondent for this website, has just shared with me that he has taken on a new challenge in life — he is leaving his position of Chief of Staff to Florida Congressman Tom Feeney (one of the most articulate, conservative leaders among House GOPers) to assume new responsibilities as the Deputy Campaign Manager for the Mitt Romney for President campaign.

This is great news for Jason, of course, as it represents yet another opportunity (his career has been full of them) to expand his horizons, and learn new things. It is also great news for Governor Romney. I have known Jason for a lot of years now, and seldom do you meet someone who is able to blend strong moral character, commitment to principle, and political sophistication the way that he does.

The other winner in this process is… California! Jason spent many years out here, and, in fact, is a former Executive Director of the San Diego County Republican Party. He also served, for… Read More