We are pleased to offer this commentary from Jessica Austin, who serves as an Alternate Member of the San Bernardino County Central Committee. Austin is a political activist, who is also the editor of Red County San Bernardino.
A New Direction for San Bernardino County Republican Party
By Jessica Austin
To say that San Bernardino County is a hotbed of controversy for Republicans is perhaps the biggest understatement of the year. However, as of Thursday night, it will no longer be applicable to the San Bernardino County Republican Party.
At Thursday night’s Central Committee meeting, with about 50 people present, embattled San Bernardino County Republican Party Chairman Assemblyman Anthony Adams resigned- after a brief discussion in which it was very clear the votes were there to remove him if he didn’t step down. For that, we thank Anthony for doing the right thing and putting the Party first this time.
Many people are aware of all the controversy behind Assemblyman Adams and his vote to support the largest tax increase in California history, his comments made on the radio (i.e.: John and Ken) and of course, the feathers he ruffled within the Republican Party, including fellow GOP legislators- some of whom have also called for his resignation.
Thus, as the leader and spokesperson for the San Bernardino County Republican Party, Adams has caused quite a stir with his decision to support tax increases and the comments he made to justify his decision. There is no justification for a California Republican legislator to support tax increases, especially considering the dire economic and financial state California has gotten itself into yet again. We have a spending problem, not a revenue problem.
Adams’ decision to support tax increases not only defies one of the most basic principles of the GOP’s platform of fiscal conservatism; it further exacerbates California’s economic woes, our ever-increasing government, and the financial burdens upon Californians and our businesses. While perhaps as an elected official he can justify his actions to his constituents and breaking his pledge for no news taxes; his actions cannot be justified as the leader of the County Republican Party.
Anthony Adams did the right thing tonight, and for that, we are very grateful. At a time when our Republican County has turned Democratic and our Republican legislators barely won their re-elections- we cannot afford the time or the resources to defend controversial actions by our Chairman. With money pouring in from various Republican elected officials and donors, an energized Central Committee and members, and a full-time Executive Director- we have nowhere to go but Red. And now with a new leader, Councilman Ken Willis, we can move past the controversy, reverse the negative trends, and stand unified as a Party as we take back the County.
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