The dynamics of the race for the 71st Assembly District have changed dramatically in the last few weeks. The 71st takes in a large parts of Orange County and parts of Riverside County.

Until just a few weeks ago there were four candidates (three of whom were from OC). Now there are just two, Neil Blais a Rancho Santa Margarita councilman and Fire Authority Board Member from Orange County (a Probolsky Research client) and Corona councilman and Transportation Commissioner Jeff Miller from Riverside County. Both candidates are members of their respective county Republican Central Committees.

There has been a fair amount of back and forth regarding the two campaigns finances, so I thought I would set the record straight with some factual analysis of the race.

FACT: Neil Blais raised $124,714 in individual contributions during the latest period. That is without any loans – personal or otherwise. Jeff Miller raised $90,019

FACT: Neil Blais also loaned his campaign an additional $100,000 – like most winning GOP Assembly candidates have done in the past.

FACT: Jeff… Read More

I was pretty surprised with Bill Simon, fresh off of his close friend Rudy Giuliani’s campaign, joined the McCain campaign as a senior member of their policy team. So, the onus is now on you, Bill. Good luck.

OK, with that said, Bill Simon makes his case for why YOU should support John McCain:

Just to follow on Jon’s commentary this morning and the news of today’s Field poll…the one thathas Prop 93 losing at 46% "no" and 33% yes after being 39-39 10 days ago.

2 pieces of mail I’ve received from the "Yes" side have been prominently featuring firefighters on the front side of the mailer,They usethe same font below as the Guv’s piece that Jon mentions as Republican mailer #1. "Limit legislators terms" "Yes on 93" with firefighters pictured above. A shameful effort by 93ers to use the firefighters heroic figure status among the public for this play.

On the back it quotes a past president of the fire chiefs "Yes on 93 means the voices of firefighters on the front lines will be heard when crucial budget decisions are made in Sacramento." Whaaaat? So you’re saying they’re not heard now…and this phony term… Read More

An E-lection of Change… It was hi-lited on the main page yesterday, but SD Young Republican President Ben Avey’s piece in Friday’s Union-Trib deserves a local shout out as well. Ben nails it on the head about changing politics in the Internet age, and how young voters are both driving and engaging the medium. An excerpt:

Have you visited your presidential candidate’s Facebook or Myspace page? Have you watched a debate on YouTube? Have you blogged about your opinion only to be rebuked by a peer you have never even met? Many of you will say no, but check with your kids, because they will probably say yes. Read all of "An election of change."

Red County SD: Peters to Join the City Attorney Fray?… SD City Councilman Brian Maienschein’s announcement of a couple of weeks ago was… Read More

Super Tuesday is just days away, and nationally, as well as here in California, the GOP Presidential Primary field seems to have become a horse race between Arizona Senator John McCain and former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney. While Congressman Ron Paul and former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee are still in the race, they are definitely long-shots for the nomination.

On Friday, we ran our exclusive PodCast interview with Governor Romney. Today, I am pleased to present an interview with Senator John McCain.

Yesterday afternoon, Senator McCain called in from Alabama, where he was preparing to fly to Georgia – the life of a Presidential candidate! I had a chance to talk with the Senator about the War in Iraq, the challenge of dealing with the plague of Congressional earmarks, and of course we talked about California, and his… Read More

Super Tuesday is just days away, and nationally, as well as here in California, the GOP Presidential Primary field seems to have become a horse race between Arizona Senator John McCain and former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney. While Congressman Ron Paul and former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee are still in the race, they are definitely long-shots for the nomination.

On Friday, we ran our exclusive PodCast interview with Governor Romney. Today, I am pleased to present an interview with Senator John McCain.

Yesterday afternoon, Senator McCain called in from Alabama, where he was preparing to fly to Georgia – the life of a Presidential candidate! I had a chance to talk with the Senator about the War in Iraq, the challenge of dealing with the plague of Congressional earmarks,… Read More

Just in — GOP Presidential hopeful Mitt Romney will be holding one last public rally in California before the Tuesday primary. It will be held at 7:30 p.m. right near Long Beach Airport. A flyer with all of the details is attached.

If anyone knows of other public appearances by the GOP candidates here in the Golden State in the final two day, pass that info along and we’ll post it up.… Read More

The Arkansas Republican Assembly, the official state affiliate of the National Federation of Republican Assemblies has endorsed Mitt Romney for President. Previously, the organization had endorsed Fred Thompson. With Thompson’s withdrawal the board voted to endorse Romney over the man they are very familiar with former Governor Mike Huckabee.

As ARRA President, Dr. Patrick Briney, an ordained Baptist Minister and prominent speaker in evangelical circles says in an expose of the Huckbaee record, “Arkansas conservatives know Huckabee. They have “been there, done that.”

Cross posted to Red County.… Read More