ASSEMBLYMAN NIELSEN ENDORSES WHITMAN
This morning, Assemblyman and former Senate Republican Leader Jim Nielsen announced that he has decided to switch his loyalties and endorsement in the contested Republican primary for Governor. He had earlier endorsed Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner. He is now throwing his support to former eBay CEO Meg Whitman. Nielsen was recently tapped by Assembly Republican Leader Sam Blakeslee, a Poizner supporter, to serve in a newly created "Ways and Means Committee Chairman" position for Assembly Republicans — serving as Vice Chairman of both the Assembly Ap propriations and Budget Committees.
While Poizner has a vast edge over Whitman when it comes to endorsements from elected Republican federal and state legislators, this is the second legislator in a week’s time who had been supporting him that has now moved to Whitman. Congressman John Campbell announced earlier this week that he has endorsed Meg Whitman.
POIZNER ANNOUNCES SUPPORT FROM BAY AREA LEADERS
Also this week, the Poizner for Governor campaign announced a group of endorsements from prominent current and former Bay Area local elected officials. Joining "Team Poizner" are…
- Pete Constant, Councilmember, City of San Jose
- Rochelle Bird, former Councilmember, Town of Moraga
- Matt Grocott, Councilmember, City of San Carlos
- Donald Gage, Supervisor, Santa Clara County
- Cathryn Baylock, Vice-Mayor, City of Burlingame
- Mark Schott, School Board Trustee, Marin County
- Mike Wasserman, Mayor, Town of Los Gatos
- Debbie Giordano, Councilmember, City of Milpitas
- Abram Wilson, Mayor, City of San Ramon
- Greg Marvel, School District Trustee, City of San Ramon
- Mike Harris, Councilmember, City of Petaluma
Also, Poizner’s campaign recently announced the endorsement of longtime conservative Los Angeles County Supervisor (and former State GOP Chairman) Mike Antonovich.