Fresno City Councilman Larry Westerlund announced his intention today to run for the Republican nomination for the 19th Congressional District seat currently held by retiring Congressman George Radanovich. Westerlund become the 4th candidate, and the 3rd candidate from outside the District, to seek the nomination. Former Fresno Mayor Jim Patterson is the only declared candidate that lives in Congressional 19, and is joined by former Congressman Richard Pombo (Tracy) and State Senator Jeff Denham (Salinas).
Westerlund’s run is interesting, to say the least. The Lincoln Club of Fresno County has supported him for his Council campaigns twice, but even the most casual observer knows he has no chance to win the Republican nomination for CD 19. So what is his candidacy all about? Time will tell, but it is far from a wild conspiracy theory to believe he is part of a strategy to deny former Fresno Mayor Jim Patterson votes in the Fresno area.
For now, Patterson’s greatest asset is strong name id locally, and a popular following among KMJ 580 radio listeners. Pombo, if he is to be succesfull, will ride the endorsement of Congressman Devin Nunes across the finish line. Denham picks up the remnants of the Radanovich organization. Three candidates with strong assets, and one with questionable intentions. Stay tuned.
I and others will be looking for evidence of this "ballot strategy" move – and if we find common threads between the Westerlund campaign and any other, particularly from the Denham side, you’ll here about it here first.
The Lincoln Club has yet to endorse a candidate in this race, and when we do, it will be only after extensive interviews of the candidates involved.
February 18th, 2010 at 12:00 am
Can I assume that, if elected, Tricky Dick Pombo will again utilize loopholes to benefit his friends and waste our tax dollars?
“In addition to his committee post, Ding is also listed in records as chief of the congressman’s personal staff, a position for which Pombo pays him $100 a month from his district office budget. The listing allows Ding to bill taxpayers for his frequent travel between Washington and California.” (“Pombo aide under fire for finances,” Contra Costa Times, 1/15/06).
“Steven Ding regularly worked for candidates and organizations with close ties to Pombo, a Tracy Republican who is chairman of the House Resources Committee. Ding’s admission, in response to a Times investigation of his activities, raises questions about his outside work and a special arrangement under which Pombo has allowed him to spend more than $87,000 in taxpayer money on travel, meals and lodging during the past three years.” (“Pombo aide under fire for finances,” Contra Costa Times, 1/15/06).
Isn’t that shady conduct? Isn’t that the type of inside-the-beltway, backroom dealing that costs taxpayers their hard-earned dollars? Is that really the type of conduct we want our representatives engaging in?