We’ve been following attempts by federal lobbyist, and former Member of Congress Brian Bilbray (pictured) to characterize himself as something other than a lobbyist in his ballot title. Bilbray, who has taken in hundreds of thousands of dollars in feels over the last six plus years lobbying for many interest filed a ballot title of Immigration Reform Advocate because one of his client (about 1/3 of his business) is a federal immigration reform group. The Secretary of State balked at this, and settled on Immigration Reform Consultant.
The matter has been taken to court by a voter in the district who believes that this settled-upon language still hides Bilbray’s profession as a lobbyist from voters. Top-notch political law attorney Andy Pugno is representing this voter, and a suit was filed in Sacramento Superior Court.
Today, the judge ordered a hearing to take place this Wednesday, March 8, to determine if using Immigration Reform Consultant violates state law and would mislead voters.
We’ll anxiously await Bilbray’s day in court…