The makeup of the Assembly Republican Caucus, which has already been fairly conservative, will be taking a slight shift even more to the right after the new 11-member Freshman class is sworn in this December. Thanks to the atrocious ‘incumbent protection plan’ adopted by the legislature earlier in the decade, almost all of California’s 80 Assembly Districts are not competitive – drawn to either elect a Democrat (which is most of the districts) or a Republican.
There are 32 members of the Assembly that are GOPers right now. And if we look at the Republicans who one the party nomination in the 11 seats where the incumbents either did not or could not run for re-election, it isn’t hard to see where I am coming from:
Conservatives being replaced by conservatives – in these five districts, the ideology of the new nominee virtually mirrors that of the retiring legislator.
- In District 25, Tom Berryhill will replace Dave Cogdill (who is running for Poochigian’s State Senate seat).
- In District 29, Anthony Adams will replace Dennis Mountjoy (who is term-limited).
- In District 66, Kevin Jeffries will replace Ray Haynes (who is termed-out and lost his bid for BOE3).
- In District 74, Martin Garrick will replace Mark Wyland (who is running for Morrow’s State Senate seat).
- In District 77, Joel Anderson will replace Jay LaSuer (who is termed-limited).
Moderates being replaced by conservatives …
**There is more – click the link**
June 12th, 2006 at 12:00 am
I’ve met with Jean Fuller, and she’s a smart conservative woman. I don’t quite understand why she isn’t getting the credit she’s due. She’s probably one of the few — only? — Republicans who’ve gone toe to toe with the teachers union. She’s a tough cookie.
June 12th, 2006 at 12:00 am
I know Bogh came in with a reputation as a moderate, due to his associations with Wilson and Pacheco, but I think he’s proven himself to be as conservative as just about anyone, if not quite as confrontational about it.
Cook may turn out to be more conservative, but it is far from a sure thing.
June 14th, 2006 at 12:00 am
Regarding Fuller. She didn’t campaign as a moderate. She did campaign as a conservative. Her conservative credentials will be tested the following ways:
1. What kind of CRP appointments will she make.
2. Where does she stand on Intelligent Design? This will be a big issue with the main high school district in her district.
3. Who will she support for California Republican Party Leadership posts.
4. Since she claims to be a leader on Parental Notification, Will she prove her worth on this issue? Will she take it a step further and try to get parental consent passed?
Otherwise, I don’t expect her to vote like a moderate.