It’s been a busy summer (work and fun) so I’m a little late in updating Flashreport readers on the happenings as it relates to the legislative races in the Sacramento area.
The July reports are a chance for candidates to show momentum (or lack thereof). It even brings about some late entries that will need to play catch up in the next reporting period.
That being said, there have been several interesting developments in Assembly primaries around Sacramento.
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The lack of a clear front-runner in this safe Republican seat has left the door wide open for a strong candidate such as former State Senator Jim Nielsen to enter the race. Since announcing in July, Nielsen has gained the endorsement of incumbent Assemblyman Doug LaMalfa and retains the respect of many of his current and former colleagues. Although he announced his candidacy after the June reporting deadline, many expect him to have a strong report in October. Nielsen represented a good portion of this area in the Senate and the Assembly, but he will have to move into the District to become an eligible candidate.
Nielsen’s opponent is Dentist and Siskiyou Count Republican County Central Committee Chairman Sam Wakim who reported $136,000 with 100k in personal loans.
The field would still accommodate a Shasta County entry such as former County Supervisor Trish Clark. If she is going to enter, now is the time.
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Both candidates in this race are Supervisors, both have loaned themselves 100k, both have retained quality consultants and both have reported impressive cash on hand figures.
Supervisor Dan Logue seems to be winning the endorsement war with the support of dozens of local leaders and GOP Members (including incumbent Assemblyman Rick Keene and State Senator Sam Aanestad). He has retained the services of Jim Nygren and reported $242,000 cash on hand.
Nevada County Supervisor Sue Horne reported $242,000 cash on hand. Sue Horne’s top issue seems to be property rights. She has signed the “Hands Off My Home” pledge, which has earned her the backing of fierce property rights advocate former State Senator Jim Nielsen. JohnsonClark will be consulting for this race.
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This race will only get more interesting. This is a 4 way contest between Jack Sieglock (former San Joaquin County Supervisor), David Sander (Rancho Cordova City Councilmember and Scientist), Paul Hegyi (Assemblyman Van Tran Chief of Staff and Republican Operative), and Helen Baumann (El Dorado County Supervisor).
Jack Sieglock has garnered support from a number of local leaders and prominent valley names such as Alex Spanos and Dean Andal. He has retained JohnsonClark as his campaign consultant and reported $188,399 cash on hand with a $100,000 loan from the candidate.
David Sander, who is also the former Mayor of Rancho Cordova, has reported $146,000 cash on hand with a $50,000 loan from the candidate. When personal loans are taken into account Sander’s and Sieglock’s fundraising numbers are comparable. Fellow Flashreport correspondent Tab Berg is handling Sander’s race.
Paul Hegyi reported $52,562 cash on hand. Although this may not seem as impressive, it is only $35,837 less than Jack Sieglock’s cash on hand when you subtract his personal loan. Hegyi knows his grassroots and will no doubt be burning lots of shoe leather campaigning the old fashioned way.
Not much has been coming out of the Baumann campaign and she has yet to file electronically with the Secretary of State — meaning she has raised less than $50,000.