Gibson says he is seriously considering a bid for the 73rd AD... Jim Gibson, the conservative Vista schools trustee that finished behind Mimi Walters in 2004’s three-way contest, is definitely looking at another shot at the seat (or so he has told both Jon Fleischman and me).With Mimi looking tosucceed Dick Ackerman inthe 33rd SD, things should get busy very quickly.

With the Assembly seat abouttwo-thirdsOrange County and one-third San Diego (and a bunch of that in Oceanside), it makes things problematic for any southern contender. As has already been reported here on the FR, Dana Point Councilwoman Diane Harkey has thrown her hat into the ring (and a big hat it is given that she is very, very wealthy) — and Harkey has announced that Mimi Walters is her campaign chairman. There are some other Orange Countians looking at the race, and Gibson is undoubtedly hoping more of them will join the fray.

Gibson will no doubt be aggressively pursuing OC… Read More

Having served as Treasurer of the State Republican Party from 1999-2001, I know a little something about the way the Party was run then, and run now. During my term, the Party Board of Directors and Chairman had the authority and responsibility to make decisions and implement policy for the benefit of building the Party organization in the State. The Party had leverage against Presidential and Gubernatorial nominees and was at the table in a significant way, on all matters including finance and operations.There was an interdependent relationship, and although it resulted often in friction and negotiation, it was a process that served the Party well for decades

When then Chairman John McGraw, and Executive Director Jon Fleischman actually had the audacity to stand up to the Bush campaign and California legislative leaders during the 2000 cycle, right or wrong, some conservative members of the Party Board led a coup attempt against McGraw and Fleischman, and I am proud to say I had a big role in putting down that uprising (some of those coup leaders are still around today). Their efforts were misguided and led to the "reformed Party" we see in operation… Read More

[Note from Jon: Some of you may be reading this post because you were referred by an e-mail from my opponent for CRP office. Needless to say, I could have disabled this link. But what I said when I wrote this is still my opinion today. I have run a positive campaign for this Party office, never once attacking my opponent (let alone on character issues). It is my hope, since she has "referred" you to this website, that you will take some time while you are here to check it out. The FlashReport is a place where we compile news and views on California politics. We have over twenty top notch writers for the site (all Republican) and it has been a lot of fun to put together. I think you will enjoy it. I look forward to seeing you at convention this weekend, and am happy to discuss any matters with you that you would like. I love the GOP, and have spent decades working hard to elect Republicans to office because I am passionate about our principles! Jon]

Yesterday, California Republican Party Chairman Duf Sundheim sent out an… Read More

Yesterday, California Republican Party Chairman Duf Sundheim sent out an e-mail , presumably to CRP Members, where he addressed the issue of the CRP’s debt, and specifically assured Party Members that there was a plan in place to retire this debt in the next few months. Based on what I have heard, the CRP ended the election with somewhere between $4.5 and $5 million in debt — $3 million being a loan taken out and the rest being various expenditures in the final weeks of the campaign that, when the dust cleared, exceeded what was in the bank. To be honest, my primary concern here is not the debt itself. It is actually fairly common for political parties and campaign committees to incur debt — albeit this is a very large one. I am more concerned about the process. Specifically, how we got into debt. Questions in my mind include who authorized the debt, and who knew we were spending funds beyond what was readily available to pay the bills. For example, a big piece of this debt is what I have heard is a $3 million dollar loan that was taken out by the… Read More

Though still not responding to any of Mike Spence’s questions, earlier today CRP Chairman Duf Sundheim did at least acknowledge the CRP’sdebt. Though not exactly the best kept secret in politics, even stating the obvious is refreshing as it represents a level of forthrightness that frankly I’m not accustomed to from this Chairman.In a letter which in words and in tone Duf claimed to want to "set the record straight,"he still managed toavoid ANY specificity as to how the Party’s financial status came to be.

However,Duf did at least saythat starting in the Spring, at least something is scheduled to be done aboutthe situation. A couple of fundraisers are set, with the Governor and Steve Poiznerhave signed on to help bring in the bucks…As perferable as action isto inaction,it still would’ve been nicehad those fundraisers been able to have been used to put the Partyactually into the black, rather than just back to ZERO, but oh well…

From our Mighty Leader:… Read More

The race to succeed termed-out Assemblyman Todd Spitzer is gearing up.

Over at Red County/Riverside, you can read about Corona Mayor Pro Tem Jeff Miller signing up GBWA to run his campaign, and about other potential contenders.

In OC, Rancho Santa Margarita Councilman Neil Blais has hired JohnsonClark & Associates to run his AD71 effort.… Read More

A friend just forwarded the following:

Welcome to Citizens for the California Republic! Dear E-Team Member:

Like you, I have been watching the disastrous turn to the Left thatis nowtaking place in Sacramento – and like you, I don’t intend to sit idly by.Spending is growing faster and the deficit is growing bigger than underGray Davis. The Governor who promised to "cut up the credit cards" hasdoubled our debt burden in just three years. And 72 hours after he tookthe oath of office, the Governor who promised never to raise taxesproposed the second biggest tax increase in California’s history to provide free health insurance to illegal aliens.

I have formed a committee called "Citizens for the CaliforniaRepublic."Its purpose is provide the 75,000 citizen politicians like you whosupported me in the recent elections with a steady stream of informationand practical suggestions to enable every one of us to make our voicesheard.

Our first project is completed: a new web site at… Read More

* It didn’t seem appropriate to take this post down, but apparently this rumor is not true. Vallante has made no such announcement. – FLASH

An excellent source just told me the California Republican Party’s Chief Operating Officer, Mike Vallante, is joining the Rudy Giuliani for President campaign and will be running his California operations.

This could be a leading indicator of a coming scramble for California talent by the major presidential contenders, spurred by the prospect of a February 5 presidential primary.

UPDATE (2-7-07): Vallante may not have made an announcement, but I stand by this post. Once the CRP convention is over and the new regime is elected, Vallante is going to go to work for the Giuliani for President campaign.… Read More