Earlier this week, California GOP Chairman Ron Nehring spoke to the monthly meeting of the San Joaquin Republican Party bringing his message of winning elections and unity to a packed house. Nehring discussed every aspect of bulding a strong county party and took questions from the audience.

The meeting was attended by many activists who had been questioning the party in the past and Nehring’s inspiring speech brought many of them back into the fold with a new sense of unity and purpose. Led by new Chairman Dale Fritchen, membership and fundraising is on the rise and excitement amongst San Joaquin GOP activists is returning as these former volunteers and donors return to the fold. The timing could not be better as 2008 will see three open Assembly seats, one open Senate seat and a vulnerable democrat Congressman and the party will need to have all hands on deck.

Nehring’s presence was a critical turning point for the committee as it looks to get back to its winning ways. The commitment of… Read More

Some stories I’ve posted in the past played out on Election Day in LA County. Here are a few:

Redondo Beach Greg Hill lost his attempt at a political comeback in Redondo Beach. Current GOP City Treasurer bested his one time friend rather easily. See FR Post here and an article here. Rosemead Those that opposed the new Wal-Mart now control the Rosemead City Council. Only 6 months after it opened. GOP Councilman and longtime Rosemead Councilman, beat back a recall, but lost in this race. I’m sure the Wal-Mart foes will enjoy spending all the sales tax revenue, Imperial and the council brought in. … Read More

Left Coast No Longer Left Behind

The last time California figured prominently in a presidential primary cycle was in 1972 when George McGovern beat out Hubert Humphrey and captured the Democratic nomination. That marked the end of a series of dramatic California primaries, which included Bobby Kennedy’s victory over Eugene McCarthy in 1968 and Barry Goldwater’s upset of Nelson Rockefeller in 1964.

More recently, however, California’s primary has lost much of its former relevance. Owing to the primary’s late June date, both parties’ nominees have usually been decided before Californians vote. Which is one reason why the state legislature just approved a measure to move the primary up to Feb. 5, only… Read More

If Governor Schwarzenegger is wondering how he has once again ended up staring down the barrel of an important piece of legislation that he really wants to sign, that was voted for by EVERY DEMOCRAT in the Assembly, and had the votes of NO REPUBLICANS, he really only needs to look in the mirror. You see, if I were in the position of the Democrats who control the majority in both chambers of the legislature, I wouldn’t bother to work with the Republicans given the Governor’s willingness to sign legislation opposed by any, or in some cases, all Republicans in the legislature. So how does legislation suffer when the Governor sends the message that he will sign bills that reach his desk with no GOP support? Well, let’s look at the bill in question, which is legislation to move the date of the California Presidential primary from June to February. This proposal has been talked about quite a bit, and, in fact, the Governor is on record stating his support for the idea. That said, what is not in the bill? Republicans wanted language making it clear that the State would reimburse the counties for the cost of administering another… Read More

Ace RC reporter David Drucker has this scoop for us today:

California: Republican Ex-Legislator Preparing for House Bid Former state Assemblyman Dean Andal (R) said in an interview Wednesday that he is leaning toward running for the Republican nomination to the 11th district and the right to challenge freshman Rep. Jerry McNerney (D) in November 2008. Andal is in Washington, D.C., this week to discuss his potential candidacy with Republican Members, political action committees and National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Tom Cole (Okla.), among others. Andal said he expects to make a formal announcement… Read More

If Governor Schwarzenegger is wondering how he has once again ended up staring down the barrel of an important piece of legislation that he really wants to sign, that was voted for by EVERY DEMOCRAT in the Assembly, and had the votes of NO REPUBLICANS, he really only needs to look in the mirror. You see, if I were in the position of the Democrats who control the majority in both chambers of the legislature, I wouldn’t bother to work with the Republicans given the Governor’s willingness to sign legislation opposed by any, or in some cases, all Republicans in the legislature. So how does legislation suffer when the Governor sends the message that he will sign bills that reach his desk with no GOP support? Well, let’s look at the bill in question, which is legislation to move the date of the California Presidential primary from June to February. This proposal has been talked about quite a bit, and, in fact, the Governor is on record stating his support for the idea. That said, what is not in the bill? Republicans wanted language making it clear that the State would reimburse the counties for the cost of administering another… Read More

New Worst Bill: This Congress is rapidly stacking up contenders for the “Worst Passed Bill of the Year Award.” Up until now, it was probably H.R. 4, a bill that would eliminate the one market-based part of Medicare that is actually working to reduce costs and replace it with a bureaucrat-managed non-market system. But, that terrible policy was eclipsed last week by the passage of what many of us call the "Worker Intimidation Act of 2007." This bill (H.R. 800) would replace secret ballots in union elections with a system where no election is actually held. Instead, union organizers could coerce workers to sign "cards" using public pressure and intimidation tactics. These cards are not secret and could certify a union at a workplace without any election at all. It’s outrageous!

Why would the union bosses push so hard to eliminate free and fair secret ballot elections? Union membership outside of government has been declining for decades. They have been losing elections in many industries all over the country. I would argue that unions have not updated their purpose or mission in sixty years and therefore they are failing to… Read More

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:

27-year member of the United States Air Force Auxiliary Civil Air Patrol.ý He has attained the rank of Lt. Colonel. Bob Smith briefs legislators on US Air Force current events and happenings. Law enforcement officer for … Read More