There seems to be a new trend in California. Republicans running for the State Assembly ….as Democrats.

The first one does not really surprise me much. San Mateo County Supervisor Jerry Hill was a registered Republican for several decades. When he was elected to the non-partisan San Mateo City Council in 1991 he was a registered Republican.

Hill is now running for AD 19.

He was a Republican because years ago he wanted to support former Congressman Pete McCloskey in his run for President. I can buy that. I know some big name Republicans that actually voted for Gray Davis in the 1998 Democrat open primary thinking that he was the only one that the people of California would never actually elect as Governor.

If you read his policy positions it seems pretty clear that he would be far more comfortable in the political party with Jerry Brown, Nancy Pelosi, and gang.

The next two are a little different.

… Read More

The Orange County Lincoln Club announced today that they have endorsed Dana Point Mayor Diane Harkey in her bid for Assembly District 73 (now held by Mimi Walters who is seeking the 33rd Senate District seat held by Senate Republican Leader Dick Ackerman who is termed-out).

Harkey has the support of Assemblywoman Walters, Congressman John Campbell and virtually every other elected official in Orange County. Adding the Lincoln Club is however a big boost since their membership is attracted to candidates like Harkey who have a business background themselves. Harkey has already enjoyed significant contributions from Lincoln Club members and will likely see more going forward.

LINCOLN CLUB ENDORSES DIANE HARKEY FOR 73rd ASSEMBLY

ORANGE COUNTY, Calif. (Oct. 15, 2007) – The Lincoln Club Board of Directors last Friday unanimously endorsed Hon. Diane Harkey, Mayor of Dana Point, for the 73rd Assembly District. Harkey is… Read More

From the AP Wire:

Calif. GOP House member says Doolittle shouldn’t seek re-election Associated Press Newswires WASHINGTON (AP) – Republican Congressman John Campbell of Orange County says it would be best if fellow GOP Representative John Doolittle doesn’t run for re-election. Campbell, who made his comments Wednesday in an interview with The Associated Press, is the first of Doolittle’s colleagues in the House to call publicly for him to step aside. … Read More

The following story appears in today’s Roll Call Newspaper on Capitol Hill:

GOP Leaders Trying to Push Doolittle Out By David M. Drucker Roll Call Staff October 16, 2007 With polls showing his presumed Democratic opponent beating him in 2008, embattled Rep. John Doolittle (R-Calif.) is under pressure from House Republican leaders to retire at the end of this term. … Read More

I was stunned when I first read the campaign fundraising totals for this period reported by John Doolittle (h/t to Hank Shaw over at the Stockton Record).

I live far away from the 4th CD, in Orange County, but I know the kind of momentum you need to have going on to gear up to win a "battleground" U.S. House seat. It takes a staggering amount of money — and Doolittle’s anemic totals this year make Doolittle’s first and most important hurdle that much harder… According to published reports, Doolittle raised just over $50,000 to Democrat Charlie Brown’s impressive $212,000.

Looking at the fundraising numbers from neighboring CD 11, another "battleground" seat, the incumbent Congressman, Democrat Jerry McNerney, raised $234K in the third quarter and reported $757K cash on hand. A little different picture than that of the incumbent in CD 4. For those interested, Dean Andal, McNerney’s probably GOP opponent, raised $101,000 this period with a cash on hand of $351,118.… Read More

I was stunned when I first read the campaign fundraising totals for this period reported by John Doolittle (h/t to Hank Shaw over at the Stockton Record).

I live far away from the 4th CD, in Orange County, but I know the kind of momentum you need to have going on to gear up to win a "battleground" U.S. House seat. It takes a staggering amount of money — and Doolittle’s anemic totals this year make Doolittle’s first and most important hurdle that much harder… According to published reports, Doolittle raised just over $50,000 to Democrat Charlie Brown’s impressive $212,000.

Looking at the fundraising numbers from neighboring CD 11, another "battleground" seat, the incumbent Congressman, Democrat Jerry McNerney, raised $234K in the third quarter and reported $757K cash on hand. A little different picture than that of the incumbent in CD 4. For those interested, Dean Andal, McNerney’s probably GOP opponent, raised $101,000 this period with a cash on hand of $351,118.

John Doolittle needs to be able to make… Read More

The first of many, given that Don Perata and Fabian Nunez continue to be such a rich source for material on why neither of them should be granted more time in the legislature… (kudos to FR friend Greg Hill over at GBWA for his fine work on this.) … Read More

A great post by "Mighty Thor" yesterday on Red County/San Diego about the Governor’s signing of Assemblyman Martin Garrick’s AB 1430, as well as a reference back to GOP Chairman Ron Nehring’s July 12 column on these pages about the issue. From the RCSD post:

In short, the bill preserves free political speech rather than restrict it further. The Governor did the courageous thing because various ‘Ethics Commissions’ and newspaper editorial boards had grossly distorted the impact of the bill (five newspapers editorial boards attacked it, including the SDUT and the LA Times). But the Governor stood on principal and protected the First Amendment.

Next time you see Garrick thank him for protect your right to say whatever you want…Congratulations, Martin, for having the initiative to get this accomplished in your first year!… Read More