H/T to Roll Call’s David Drucker for the FR shoutout…

Gallegly Announces Retirement Right at Filing Deadline

By David M. Drucker Roll Call Staff

Friday, March 10

Rep. Elton Gallegly (R-Calif.) waited until minutes before the state’s filing deadline late Friday to announce that he would not seek an 11th term.

After already filing to run for re-election in California’s 24th district, Gallegly cited an unresolved medical issue for his decision, the Ventura County Star reported.

As of the close of business… Read More

I’ve been contacted by several people advancing this theory, explaining what happenned today with Gallegly…

Supposedly the Congressman filed for reelection, and THEN decided (due to health reasons) that he would not run again – apparently not realizing that once you file your candidacy, you cannot “unfile” – thus he is on the ballot, and because he (the incumbent) technically filed for re-election, filing closed. I was told that Gallegly had assumed he would be able to “unfile” and this filing would be open for another week….

Now we have this bizarre situation of Gallegly on the GOP ballot but not wanting to be, this unknown guy, Tannenbaum.

Rumor has it that Strickland may seek legal recourse on Monday, asking a judge to extend filing in light of this bizarre thwarting of the democratic process…… Read More

As the election season heats up, the Oakland mayor’s race looks like it will be one of the most interesting election in the state.

On Wednesday, Ron Dellums made an aggressive move towards City Council President Ignacio De La Fuente’s support base by holding a rally in the Fruitvale district, a predominantly Hispanic neighborhood that De La Fuente has represented for 13 years. Dellums was not alone. Hispanic activist Delores Huerta, co-founder of the United Farm Workers, came to Oakland to tell residents to vote for her fellow socialist, Ron Dellums.

It was no coincidence that on same day De La Fuente announced that the United Farm Workers was endorsing him in the… Read More

More appointments came over the transom from the Governor’s office:

THE REPUBLICANS

Kim Blackseth, 52, of Oakland, has been appointed to the Building Standards Commission. Susan Dowty, 43, of Laguna Nigel, has been appointed to the Building Standards Commission. Benita Haley, 74, of Manhattan Beach, has been appointed to the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges. Gayle Pacheco, 53, of Walnut, has been appointed to the State Rehabilitation Council. Irene Raymundo, 60, of El Dorado Hills, has been appointed chair of the Agricultural Labor Relations Board.

THE DEMOCRATS

Christina Jamison, 41, of Camarillo, has been appointed to the Building Standards Commission. Michael G. Lee, 54, of … Read More

Today and over the weekend, high-level nogotiations are taking place among the legislative leadership and the Governor – the focal point of these discussions – infrastructure investment. In January, the Governor unveiled plans for a massive $222 billion ‘strategic growth plan’ for California, and a central component of his plan – a $68 billion general obligation bond. The response to the Governor’s plan was mixed — Democrats, who love to spend money were tepid or even critical in their response, unsure how to react to a massive spending plan proposed by their political adversary – the Republican Governor. Republican reaction to the plan was also mixed – unsure of how to respond to such a large spending proposal from the top guy in their own party. I know from my personal meeting with three members of the Governor’s senior staff the day of the State-of-the-State "Build it" address — that the Governor was keenly aware that this kind of large-scale spending proposal would be uncomfortable for conservative lawmakers, and other Republicans… Read More

According to Bill Bradley at New West Notes, the Governor is still short of the six votes he needs from Assembly Republicans to pass his bond for bike paths, farm worker housing and oh ya some roads. Of course with no reforms. See the item here.I’m asking FR readers for there top six picks of "most likely to Squish".

If you name all six— before the vote there is a prize.… Read More

Today and over the weekend, high-level nogotiations are taking place among the legislative leadership and the Governor – the focal point of these discussions – infrastructure investment. In January, the Governor unveiled plans for a massive $222 billion ‘strategic growth plan’ for California, and a central component of his plan – a $68 billion general obligation bond. The response to the Governor’s plan was mixed — Democrats, who love to spend money were tepid or even critical in their response, unsure how to react to a massive spending plan proposed by their political adversary – the Republican Governor. Republican reaction to the plan was also mixed – unsure of how to respond to such a large spending proposal from the top guy in their own party. I know from my personal meeting with three members of the Governor’s senior staff the day of the State-of-the-State "Build it" address — that the Governor was keenly aware that this kind of large-scale spending proposal would be uncomfortable for conservative lawmakers, and other Republicans… Read More

The last day for candidates to file for re-election always brings with it surprises. Certainly the biggest one of today is the surprise announcement this afternoon by long-time GOP Congressman Elton Gallegly (Ventura County – pictured) who has decided after 10 terms in the House of Representatives to call it quits.

Why now? Gallegly has told the Ventura County Star that it is due to health concerns. But in addition to this, immediate speculation also goes to his long-standing distant relationship with the very popular local State Senator Tom McClintock. McClintock has had aspiration to run for Congress, and in fact ran some years back unsuccessfully against Tony Beilenson in a neighboring district. Of course, McClintock is now committed down a course towards the GOP nomination for Lieutenant Governor that is pretty much irreversable, giving Gallegly the chance to step aside when he knows that it will not be McClintock who… Read More