Danny Gilmore’s indecision as to whether to seek another term in the State Legislature is not surprising – he’s simply a sane person who is wholly incompatible with an insane Legislature.
Gilmore came to the office a true citizen public servant, with a distinguished career in public safety and a comfortable life in retirement. He didn’t need the job. After a tough battle with Nicole Parra in 2006 (he narrowly lost), he beat the mother of incendiary State Senator Dean Florez in 2008. In speaking with him then, he truly was interested in being part of solutions to the myriad of urgent issues facing California.
His reward from the hyper-partisans in Sacramento? Although a significant part of his District is in Kern County, he was not given a District office in Bakersfield. Another representation of the sick culture led by Assembly Speaker Karen Bass.
Then, shortly after he was sworn in, he was thrust into one of the worst budget battles in our lifetime. Budget battles are the only battles in Sacramento where Republicans matter. And the GOP leadership caved – and supported the largest tax increase in State history. The tax increase, as we all warned, would only make the budget problem worse. And it has.
Who the hell would want to be a part of that?
Even now, with the State budget chronically out of balance, crumbling infrastructure, failing economy, high tax burden, business fleeing, and horrific water issues, the Democrat majority puts out a work product that is embarrasing, with hundreds of bills that fix nothing that matters. GOP bills die in committee.
Who the hell would want to be part of that?
Republican consultants call me all the time, looking for candidates. Can’t find candidates! Is anyone surprised by this? We have the most dysfunctional State government in the United States.
Who the hell would want to be a part of that?
I hope Danny runs again, but realize this: in doing so, he will be making an amazing sacrifice for all of us.
October 23rd, 2009 at 12:00 am
I’ll second the comments from Mike DerManouel, Jr. As a citizen who cared deeply about his state, I was courted by the Republican Assembly leadership in 1999 to run against Dean Florez in 2000 in this very district.
I willingly subjected myself and my family to a year of campaigning from Madera to Bakersfield, sacrificing financially and otherwise for the journey.
The Democrats gave Florez the financial support that he needed to keep his seat, the Republicans were anemic at best in their support of my candidacy.
We truehearts care deeply about the fundamentals of how our state is governed. But there is a reason that our State Legislature enjoys a laugable 13% approval rate by the voters of California. It is packed full of marginal individuals who disgrace the offices that they hold every day of their lives.
The rest of us will continue to excel in the private sector. God only knows what happens to California’s future with such unqualified, unpopular, and selfish elected officials warming their seats in Sacramento.
Kenneth D. Kay
October 23rd, 2009 at 12:00 am
Who the hell are those 13% that think the legislature is doing a good job?
October 23rd, 2009 at 12:00 am
I know some washed up attornies fresh off picking the bones of helpless subprime borrowers who love willing to take daily beatings from the socialists in Sacramento…Cash flow at all costs!
October 23rd, 2009 at 12:00 am
Sure, blame it on partisanship. The fact is that Gilmore got just 1 of 11 bills passed — one of the worst records in the legislature. Several of his proposals would have cost the state millions in revenue — not exactly smart when we’re facing billion dollar deficits.
Mr. Gilmore had no previous office in elected office. He still has training wheels on. Success in Sacramento comes to those that know what they’re doing, and are effective in doing it. Mr. Gilmore is neither. Nice guy, but sorry, not an effective legislator.
Perhaps instead of complaining about the square footage of his office, he could have used that time to learn the system, build relationships, and show a little bit of an independent streak. Unfortunately, he was just another garden-variety Republican.
October 23rd, 2009 at 12:00 am
Danny Gilmore must seek re-election to fight for the people, because the people in the 30th AD needs fighters like Danny to speak for them.
October 25th, 2009 at 12:00 am
Maviglio – “Success in Sacramento?”
What the hell would you or any of your friends know about that?
You and your ilk have destroyed this State. Go crawl back into your hole. You’ve got a lot of nerve showing your face anywhere with the people you associate with in politics. They’re incompetent.