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

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

Pierre Prosper has dropped out of the race for Attorney general. this will save Pooch needed funds. Pierre did do a good job getting around to GOP groups and made a positive impression on most. Here is my post about my lunch with him. The money wasn’t there for him to make it work.

Here is the release

STATEMENT FROM AMBASSADOR PIERRE-RICHARD PROSPER

(LOS ANGELES) Former Ambassador at Large Pierre-Richard Prosper, candidate for Attorney General of California in 2006, released the following statement today:

“After much deliberation, and with thoughtful counsel from friends and supporters, I have decided to withdraw from seeking the Republican nomination for California Attorney General and therefore will not file on March 10, 2006 to be on the June primary ballot. This was a very difficult decision in light of the mounting support… Read More

Just a little while ago, Senator Roy Ashburn, held a press conference to announce that he is NOT running for Congress (wouldn’t it have been easier to send out a press release?). The decision by Asburn means that the protege of the retiring incumbent Bill Thomas should pretty much waltz into the United States House of Representatives. The Bakersfield Californian has an article up already.

The good news for everyone is that I’ve met Kevin McCarthy, and he is no Bill Thomas. McCarthy is certainly more conservative than Thomas ideologically, as he has demonstrated as the Assembly Republican Leader. McCarthy also has a decent personality. As Kevin and I have joked about over the years, you fight the good fight (for us, it was GOP youth politics) and then go get a beer. No one would ever get a beer with Thomas because he is a self-important jerk.

Anyways, it is always easy for me to digress into a Thomas-rant — let me get back to some analysis. In his announcement that he is seeking re-election to the State Senate, Ashurn endorsed McCarthy’s… Read More

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today announced the appointments of Judge Brad R. Hill as a justice in the Fifth District Court of Appeal, Richard S. Kemalyan to a judgeship in the Los Angeles County Superior Court, Patricia M. Murphy to a judgeship in the Ventura County Superior Court, Judge Nora M. Manella as a justice in the Second District Court of Appeal, and Steven M. Basha to a judgeship in the Yolo County Superior Court

Here is how the appointments stack up from a partisan perspective:

BRAD HILL Hill, 51, of Fresno, has served as a judge in the Fresno County Superior Court since 1998. He was previously a judge in the Fresno County Municipal Court from 1991 to 1998. Hill also served as a partner with McCormick, Barstow, Sheppard, Wayte &… Read More