I’ve wriiten about how Los Angeles Mayor AntonioVillaraigosawants to take over the world– at least LA and it’s surrounding areas. He failed at the MWD. See post hereHe is making the grade at LAUSD. In a special election to fill a vacancy his candidate Monica Garcia received 47% of the vote and will face UTLA backed Christopher Arellano in a run-off. Arellano received only 19% of the vote as his condecade old shoplifting charges and his that his graduate degree from USC wasn’t really awarded. (I guess the check bounced.) Garcia is open to the Emperor taking over LAUSD.

Can the unions rally enough to stop Garcia? Does it matter?… Read More

In case you want a public forum to comment on my Winners and Losers of the GOP Convention column, this is the place to do it. Click through to the link, then let us know what you think!… Read More

Jon may not want to get into the intrigue, but just some tidbits on tomorrow’s pending Plescia vote for Assembly Republican Leader…

With Walters, Keene and Runner on board, George has lined up 29 votes. Rumor has it that there are three hold-outs, some of whom may come on board today, perhaps as this is penned (er….typed).

I hope the holdouts strongly consider the importance of closing ranks and of having an energetic leader like George Plescia leading the charge. On a personal (if not geographic) note, there are plenty in San Diegowatching closely how the SD delegation votes….name the last time we had a leader from way down here, if you can….… Read More

PLESCIA SET TO TAKE REINS FROM MCCARTHY Thanks to a number of conversations with members of the Assembly Republican Caucus yesterday, the FlashReport is pleased to congratulation San Diego Assemblyman George Plescia on becoming the new Assembly Republican Leader! Over a week ago, the FR reported that AR Leader Kevin McCarthy was making ‘what if’ phone calls to members of the caucus, engaging them in ‘theoretical’ discussions about how long he might stay on as leader if he were to run for Congress. These calls, of course, were our first real hint that 14-term incumbent Congressman Bill Thomas of Bakersfield was seriously considering retiring from the House. This set into motion a behind-the-scenes scramble between various GOP legislators to see who would become the leader whenever McCarthy moved on, whether in days or months. By my reckoning,… Read More

PLESCIA SET TO TAKE REINS FROM MCCARTHY Thanks to a number of conversations with members of the Assembly Republican Caucus yesterday, the FlashReport is pleased to congratulation San Diego Assemblyman George Plescia on becoming the new Assembly Republican Leader! Over a week ago, the FR reported that AR Leader Kevin McCarthy was making ‘what if’ phone calls to members of the caucus, engaging them in ‘theoretical’ discussions about how long he might stay on as leader if he were to run for Congress. These calls, of course, were our first real hint that 14-term incumbent Congressman Bill Thomas of Bakersfield was seriously considering retiring from the House. This set into motion a behind-the-scenes scramble between various GOP legislators to see who would become the leader whenever McCarthy moved on, whether in days or months. By my reckoning,… Read More

Mary Jo Ford has taken out papers to run in the 53rd Assembly District. This is the district last year that Assembly leadership bungled the special election by supporting Ford over former Redondo Beach MayorGreg Hill. I’m sure the rematch will work out great.… Read More

The campaign for the 59th Assembly District continues to heat up with the endorsement of Chris Lancaster by Senator Bob Margett, the previous Assemblyman from the old pre-gerrymandered 59th District. See my past link on this race starting hereand fellow FR poster Brad Mitzelfelt’s start here. See the press release below.… Read More

WHALEN ON WESTLY Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has a lot of things going for him as he runs for re-election this year. But certainly one of the best things going is the poor quality of the two Democrats seeking the Democratic Party nomination – State Treasurer Phil Angelides, and State Controller Steve Westly. Last Monday, FR correspondent Dan Schnur wrote a great piece on Angelides, and today we feature a column penned by our own Bill Whalen on Steve Westly, who Whalen points out is ‘too cute by half’ – a definate ‘must read’ for today! WILL THOMAS RETIRE? WE HOPE SO! … Read More