Who killed Stephen Ballreich?That’s the title of the Pasadena Weekly article on the 1991 murder of political consultant andformer Alhmabra MayorBallreich. While at one time he was a rising GOP star before flaming out, he was partially responsible for starting the process of registering and empowering Asain voters in that part of the San Gabriel Valley. It is lengthy, but you can read the article here.… Read More

I’ve heard of statewide organizations endorsing a candidate for office – but here is a case where an organization has endorsed a candidate for an office for which he is not even seeking. Prosper is currently running some sort of ‘Little Engine That Could’ campaign against Senator Chuck Poochigian for Attorney General.

The California Congress of Republicans, at the Republican State Convention in San Jose this past weekend, endorsed Ambassador Pierre Richard Prosper for the United State Senate seat now held by Dianne Feinstein. When told about the endorsement Ambassador Prosper said "it was the first endorsement he had received and thanked CCR for it."… Read More

The campaign for Santa Ana City Councilman and candidate for the Democrat nomination for the 69th Assembly District (a Dem stonghold) Jose Solorio announced today:

"We have received formal endorsements fromfour statewide organizations that Democratic candidates compete for: the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFL-CIO, California), California LeagueofConservation Voters, the … Read More

State Senator Abel Maldonado is promoting an upcoming fund raiser in Orange County for his race for State Controller. My goal is not to promote the event (promoting upcoming events is discouraged by the FR publisher) but rather to point out what a mockery Maldonado makes of himself and his supporters.

The event chairman for Maldonado’s fund raiser is Bill Ito, president of Ito Farms, Inc. I have nothing against Mr. Ito, mostly because I have never met him. For all I know he has contributed to Tony Stickland (the other GOP candidate vying for the nomination) too.

But being in the farming industry something tells me that Mr. Ito does not pay all employees a living wage. I would bet he pays most of his employees in the field minimum wage (if that much). Does he know that Abel’s legislation to increase the minimum wage is about to take the wind out of his bottom line? Does Mr. Ito know that Able thinks government is the solution to our woes? Does he know that Abel (who flies… Read More

Steve Westly’s talking positive. Phil Angelides is beating up on Arnold. But it’s only a matter of time before they turn their guns on each other.

Both candidates have begun statewide advertising more than three months before the primary. When you have two politicians with that much money and that little self-restraint, the odds of either of them getting through the next hundred days with approval ratings any higher than mine are pretty slim.

If Arnold can pull a Steve McQueen and walk through the Democratic bar fight without getting touched, the three months of an Angelides-Westly bloodbath could give the governor some time to restore his own poll numbers and campaign coffers. But just a few thoughts before the Democraic fratricide gets going:

1) Angelides is using Barbara Boxer as a spokesperson in his first ad. Along with his support for tax increases and death-to-Arnold messaging, this is clearly about positioning him in a Democratic primary. But millions of dollars of Boxer ads could leave a residue that may not be so helpful in a general election. In 2004, California Democrats would have happily nominated Howard Dean… Read More

****Exclusive to the FlashReport****

It has all the makings of a municipal soap opera.

A personal bodyguard hired at the behest of Chula Vista Mayor Steve Padilla for a mere $10,000 per month. Allegations against the Mayor of wasting taxpayer money and undue paranoia. Padilla firing the bodyguard, so as "to end complaints from fellow council members and remove the bodyguard issue from the political campaign" (per the Union-Tribune). Bodyguard David Kanter alleging breach of contract and threateninga lawsuit against the city. The City Council reinstating the contract because no termination clause was included to protect Chula Vista’s interests. According to the U-T, "the council’s decision (to reinstate) calls for Kanter’s firm to provide ‘specialized investigative and research services’ to the Chula Vista Police Department and to ‘investigate… Read More

WILL BILL THOMAS RUN FOR CONGRESS? All eyes are on the Registrar of Voters in Kern County these days as much speculation swirls about whether long-time moderate GOP Congressman Bill Thomas (pictured to the right) will decide to retire at the end of this term or not. For a while, it was really being talked about as a likely scenario, as Thomas’ seat as Chairman of the House Ways & Means Committee must be surrendered at the end of this session due to the House "3-term limit" on Committee Chairmanships (part of the Gingrich-era reforms). Most are of the opinion that Thomas’ retirement couldn’t come soon enough. The mercurial Congressman has long championed the election of liberal Republicans and has a decades-long track record of divisive politics. He also has quite a temper, which has been exhibited in public many-a-time. He… Read More

WILL BILL THOMAS RUN FOR CONGRESS? All eyes are on the Registrar of Voters in Kern County these days as much speculation swirls about whether long-time moderate GOP Congressman Bill Thomas (pictured to the right) will decide to retire at the end of this term or not. For a while, it was really being talked about as a likely scenario, as Thomas’ seat as Chairman of the House Ways & Means Committee must be surrendered at the end of this session due to the House "3-term limit" on Committee Chairmanships (part of the Gingrich-era reforms). Most are of the opinion that Thomas’ retirement couldn’t come soon enough. The mercurial Congressman has long championed the election of liberal Republicans and has a decades-long track record of divisive politics. He also has quite a temper, which has been exhibited in public many-a-time. He… Read More