** Breaking News** *You’re reading it first here, folks!*

Popular conservative State Senator Mimi Walters just moments ago shared with her Republican Senate colleagues that she is running for California State Treasurer.

Walters, who was first elected to the State Assembly and now serves in the State Senate is most recognized for her leadership role on the issue of curbing abuses of eminent domain, and for being an articulate spokesman on the issues of job creation and transparency in government action.

Senator Mimi Walters possesses a background in business, finance and local government. Prior to entering public service, her professional career included seven years as an Investment Executive at a major investment banking firm.

"Sacramento is out of touch and out of ideas," says Senator Walters. "Yesterday’s… Read More

Here is some video footage from the legislative committee meeting earlier in the week when Democrats, on a party-line vote, killed Assemblyman Dan Logue’s common-sense legislation" until the unemployment rate in California falls below 5.5. percent.

Look to see if the initiative co-sponsored by Logue and Congressman Tom McClintock to allow the voters to choose to suspect AB32 qualifies for November…

On a side note, check out the Honorable Wes Chesbro, looking an awful lot like either Wyatt Earp or Colonel Sanders. … Read More

[Cross-posted from RedCounty.com]

As has been reported here and elsewhere, it seems fairly certain that former Congressman and state Senator Tom Campbell will abandon the governor’s race and run for U.S. Senate instead.

Query: does it really matter?

In my opinion, the practical result of Campbell’s decision is he’ll finish third in the U.S. Senate primary instead finishing third in the gubernatorial primary. 2010 is going to be a year of voter discontent and back-lash. An under-funded, mild-mannered economic professor who supported extending last year’s massive state tax increase is ill-suited to ride that wave. Campbell’s chances largely depend on the unlikelihood of lightning striking his campaign — and i think he probably stood a better chance of that in the gubernatorial campaign on the off-chance that Meg Whitman and Steve Poizner nuked each each into… Read More

I’ve been engaged in politics, either as a volunteer or professionally, for over two decades now. During that period of time, I have seen Tom Campbell successful run for state and federal legislative offices with success. The area in which he lived, south of San Francisco near San Jose, during the 90’s was home to a lot of GOP officeholders who tended to gravitate more conservative fiscally and more liberal socially. Time having gone by, no that turf isn’t even friendly to moderate Republicans anymore.

Tom Campbell has made runs for statewide office three times now (if you include the current quest for the GOP nomination for Governor). In 1992 he narrowly lost (by less than 3%) the Republican primary for U.S. Senate to conservative icon Bruce Herschensohn (who went on to then Congresswoman Barbara Boxer). In 2000, a cycle with which I am very familiar as I was Executive Director of the California Republican Party at the time, Campbell won the primary (besting then… Read More

I’ve been engaged in politics, either as a volunteer or professionally, for over two decades now. During that period of time, I have seen Tom Campbell successful run for state and federal legislative offices with success. The area in which he lived, south of San Francisco near San Jose, during the 90’s was home to a lot of GOP officeholders who tended to gravitate more conservative fiscally and more liberal socially. Time having gone by, no that turf isn’t even friendly to moderate Republicans anymore.

Tom Campbell has made runs for statewide office three times now (if you include the current quest for the GOP nomination for Governor). In 1992 he narrowly lost (by less than 3%) the Republican primary for U.S. Senate to conservative icon Bruce Herschensohn (who went on to then Congresswoman Barbara Boxer). In 2000, a cycle with which I am very familiar as I was Executive Director of the California Republican Party at the time, Campbell won the primary (besting then… Read More

Many are wondering why Harry Reid, sitting Majority Leader, is in such a perilous political position after being a dominant political figure in Nevada for 40 years. There’s a not-so-obvious reason worth noting. Yes, Reid is a liberal but he is also considered pro-life and pro-gun. How has someone holding those views climbed to the position of leader in a caucus typically intolerant of dissension on those issues? I have no idea. But politically, it is one of the reasons that Reid has had an electorally trouble-free existence: He unites the Democrats with a coalition of independents and moderates in part due to his positions on guns and babies. Now, however, Reid has become the poster boy for an unpopular political agenda topped by a government takeover of healthcare. Across the nation polls show independents increasingly opposed to health care “reform” and Reid’s ability to appeal to indies and moderate Republicans has dissipated. And just when he needs the liberal base the most, the most rabid segments… Read More

Late last evening the Bob Whalen campaign filed his end of year finance reports. The numbers themselves are shocking with only $7000 on hand and bills totaling $9000.

The Whalen campaign has less than zero dollars. Meanwhile the only other candidate in the race is Madera farmer Don McKinney who (disclosure: client) will report over $120,000 in cash on hand when his reports are filed.

McKinney has continued to impress with his work ethic, knowledge of the issues and focused campaign that has continued to build momentum. Meanwhile Whalen’s campaign has been a train wreck and without the ability to compete financially it makes one wonder just how long that campaign will continue. Word on the street is he no longer has the services of his fundraiser and the wheels are coming off.

McKinney is now in a position to drive this race and lock down the primaryto save resources for the GOP in the fall. The momentum has clearly been moving McKinney’s way. Now it should grow even stronger.… Read More

FIRST POSTED AT 8:22AM. Updates below. I am sick this morning over the news that last night, while playing basketball, longtime GOP Capitol staffer Will Smith suffered a heart attack that took his life. Will was a great guy and what a tragedy to be struck down in the prime of his life. Smith had been serving as Chief of Staff for State Senator George Runner. Please keep his family in your prayers. I’m sure we’ll have more on this.

Breaking political news generally is a fun task. This morning, it is a horrible one.

Rest in peace, my friend. UPDATED 8:55AM.

Below is a brief statement from Will’s wife, Anissa, and also some thoughts from one of Will’s friends, Chris Jones. FR readers with thoughts of Will are invited… Read More