On the San Bernardino County side of the 65th Assembly District, the candidate who seems to be drawing the most local support is Banning Councilwoman Brenda Salas. Although she’s from Riverside County, she’s secured the support of three members of the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors: Paul Biane (R), Josie Gonzales (D), and Gary Ovitt (R); aswell as San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos (R), and a host of business, developer, and local-types.
Salas’ consultant, Joe Giardiello, has worked San Bernardino County for a number of years, and has already proven he can listen to advice, in this case that given by fellow FlashReport contributor Phil Paule. The Salas campaign’s walk piece focuses a great deal of attention on her opposition toillegal immigration, which Phil was concerned about, in addition to her work as a regional chair of Jessica’s Law, HJTA membership, and why she joined the Party of Reagan after starting life in the Party of Jefferson — William Jefferson Clinton that is. Salas has a good team and enough money to get her message out.
The presumed frontrunner, San Jacinto Councilman Jim Ayres, has top-notch consulting in Johnson-Clark, who are also running Anthony Adams’ 59th District race to the west in San Bernardino and L.A. Counties. Ayres also has the most money ($400K +, more than all of the others combined), a lot of Sacramento and regional endorsements and a story that appeals to a lot of voters in the district, military background and so forth. The Ayres-Salas match-up appears to be a professional Sacramento-annointed type vs. a hardworking and capable underdog working the opposite end of the district relying on more of a local campaign organization and strategy.
Hemet Councilwoman Robin Lowe and Yucca Valley Councilman Paul Cook haven’t seemed to impact the race too much as yet, but Cook, a sentimental-favorite retired Marine Colonel, could draw support from the Morongo Basin (heavy military population) and San Bernardino County areas because he’s actually from the San Berdu side of the district. And Lowe could split up theRiverside County vote even more with Salas and Ayres. But there’s a lot to split up with Riverside having a lot more of the district’s voters than San Bernardino. Of course Ayres looks formidable, but it’s still very early, so anything can still happen in this primary.
I’d welcome any insights you might offer as this crowded field tries to make a real race of it.
March 2nd, 2006 at 12:00 am
Brad,
I just finished reading your piece on the 65th Assembly. I will assure you the race will be much more then Ayres vs. Salas. While these individuals are out raising money we are out walking the district talking to individuals one on one. I am finding individuals who are having difficulty with different aspects of their business and in their ability to achieve the California dream…..
One thing I promise to bring to this race is that money will not be the winning factor… Political history states that the candidate who has the highest concentration of personal contact with the voters wins….
I personally have been active for the past 12 years with legislation in Sacramento and DC which allows me some institutional memory. I do know where the yes and no buttons are on the assembly desks (smile).
It is clear to me that a self-employed business person clearly has the best skill set to accomplish what California needs at this time.
Because I have no aspirations to be a professional politician (one who go on to other political jobs), my hands will not be tied as I accomplish budget and policy change.
In Ronald Reagan’s tradition, this is one fight I do not plan to lose.
Ken Smith
Ken D. Smith
Cindy’s
Board of Directors, Past President California CLSDA
Board of Directors, Past Vice President NPA
ksmith@airenetworks.com