Former Orange County GOP Assemblyman Ken Maddox has been tapped by Board of Equalization Member Michelle Steel to be her Sacramento-based Director of Legislative Affairs, looking out for the insterests of her office in relation to the goings on of the legislative process taking place in the State Capitol.

This selection is a good one for Steel, who is a strong fiscal conservative. Maddox, as a GOP legislator, was a strong voice for fiscal sanity.

Maddox served three terms in the State Assembly before being forced to retire from the legislature due to term limits. Prior to serving in the Assembly, Maddox was a long-time member of the Garden Grove City Council.

Interestingly, California’s other Republican member of the Board of Equalization, Bill Leonard, also has a former Republican legislator on his team — his Chief of Staff is Barbara Alby, who has also served since 1996 as California’s Republican National Committeewoman.… Read More

Assemblyman Villines has so far done a great job in leading the Assembly Caucus. This announcement of the makeup of the Assembly GOP Leadership Team seems to be another solid step in the right direction.

ASSEMBLY REPUBLICAN LEADER MIKE VILLINES ANNOUNCES LEADERSHIP TEAM AND VICE-CHAIRS SACRAMENTO – Assembly Republican Leader Mike Villines, of Clovis, today named a dynamic group of Assembly Republicans to serve as members of his leadership team and as committee vice-chairs for the 2007-08 legislative session. The new members of his leadership team represent a diverse array of backgrounds and communities. “I am honored that such a respected group of Republican leaders from across California have agreed to serve our party as members of my leadership team,” Villines said. “I look forward to working with them as we set our legislative priorities and work to build a stronger California.” The Republican Caucus Chair is the second-highest ranking Republican in the State Assembly, assisting the Leader in advancing the Republican policy agenda and achieving the Caucus’ political… Read More

Nearly two months after this post that Chris Niemeyer was leaving the Lincoln Club of San Diego, and that a legislativestaffer and GOP consultant were in the running for the E.D. job (although I was sworn to secrecy as to the names), the job has finally been filled..

Congrats to T.J. Zane. I know he will do a great job!

Ok, so when I posted two months ago, I also wrote that the selection would likely be the next day. I also said to tell me if I was all wet. Apparently, I was right about the short list, as T.J. was the consultant I couldn’t name, but I need a towel on the timing. What the heck took two months?

There’s a story there, I just know it.

Whatever the case, the Lincoln Club sent out the following announcement:

LCSD Welcomes New Executive Director

The Lincoln Club is proud to announce its new executive director, T.J. Zane. We hope you will take a moment to personally welcome him and begin working together. A graduate of the University of… Read More

After much shedding of blood, sweat and tears, the inaugural first issue of Red County magazine is winding its way through the postal system, and should be arriving in the mail boxes of fortunate recipients as I write.

I’ll quote Editor Scott Graves:

Yesterday Arnold Schwarzenegger announced a number of changes in key senior positions in his administrations. A number of them represent great moves, and a few of them are, frankly very disturbing. Let’s start with the great news! First and foremost, the Governor’s elevation of conservative Dan Dunmoyer to the position of Cabinet Secretary is outstanding news for all of us. Dan is capable, smart and effective. In this key position which acts as a liaison and coordinator between the Governor and all of the Agency heads will be in good hands. Undoubtedly this will be a big relief for former Assemblyman Fred Aguair, the GOPer who has been toiling out of the limelight in this role for awhile now. In other big news for conservatives — stalwart Cynthia Bryant has been given a big promotion. For years, Cynthia has been sitting second chair to Richard Costigan in the Governor’s legislative affairs unit, working to push the Governor’s policy agenda with the Senate… Read More

I missed the news a few days ago when it was announced that my friend Mike Richman has been kept aboard theNoah’s Ark ofconsulting firms, JohnsonClark Associates (they’ve got two of everything).

Mike, who previously was brought on with JCA to serve as a liaison with many of their candidates, now will take that job – with the title Deputy Political Director – on a permanent basis.

Congrats Mike! A greatgrab by Wayne and Tim!… Read More

Yesterday Arnold Schwarzenegger announced a number of changes in key senior positions in his administrations. A number of them represent great moves, and a few of them are, frankly very disturbing. Let’s start with the great news! First and foremost, the Governor’s elevation of conservative Dan Dunmoyer to the position of Cabinet Secretary is outstanding news for all of us. Dan is capable, smart and effective. In this key position which acts as a liaison and coordinator between the Governor and all of the Agency heads will be in good hands. Undoubtedly this will be a big relief for former Assemblyman Fred Aguair, the GOPer who has been toiling out of the limelight in this role for awhile now. In other big news for conservatives — stalwart Cynthia Bryant has been given a big promotion. For years, Cynthia has been sitting second chair to Richard Costigan in the Governor’s legislative affairs unit, working to push the Governor’s policy agenda with the Senate… Read More

Today for lunch, I attended a presentation by the Orange County Forum where the featured speakers included three GOP and three Democrat Legislators. The Dems were State Senator Lou Correa, Assemblyman Tony Mendoza, and Assemblyman Jose Solario The Repubicans were State Senator Mark Wyland and Assemblymembers Jim Silva and Mike Duvall. All are a talented bunch and come into their respective chambers as freshman. Emcee for the panel was Orange County Register uber-political reporter Martin Wisckol (see his word via th OC Total Buzz link under the Blog Roll above). Everyone was amiable today. We’ll see how that changes after a year or two of struggling to make do with less in Sacramento!… Read More