[Note: I totally OWE FR Los Angeles Blogger Mike Spence now — get this, he had this breaking news much earlier than me, and had posted it up as a "draft" in our system. When I heard about this, I called him, and asked if I could put up his post. He said to go for it. One wrong button pushed, and instead of putting up his draft, I deleted it! Oops. So this is my apology to Mike, and my pennance – I had to write a post on this – but Spence gets the breaking-news nod, and he may post his analysis (again?) on the ramifications – Flash]

In 2004, the only thing that stood between ultra-liberal Adam Schiff’s re-election and retirement was Republican candidate Harry Scolinos. Scolinos would be in Congress today were in not for the horrific ‘incumbent protection plan’ that redrew this Burbank/Glendale/Pasadena House seat from one that would elect Jim Rogan into one that… Read More

With all due respect to Duane Dichiara, one of the FlashReport’s San Diego Correspondents,, whom I respect immensely, I am very pleased that one of the candidates for Congress has hired you. Former Congressman Brian Bilbray had the foresight to hire you, and since he is a regular reader of the FlashReport, he knows of your role with us. I would be disappointed, disclaimers included, if you did not help out your client, on occasion, with a positive post (perhaps you can talk about his lawsuit arguing how wrong it is that illegal aliens pay less tuition in California colleges than his children).

That said, I will be making great efforts to personally cover this special election as I have endorsed no candidate in the race, nor has any candidate hired me (though two have purchased ads on this site…so far). So if you have any thoughts or input on this race, by all means send them to Jantz and Dichiara (and to our DC Correspodent, Jason Roe) if you want, but please send them… Read More

Despitethe FR Publisher’s attempt to delete my post. See below. Here is the post Jon didn’t want you to see :).

In a move upsetting the long held assumptions about this race, Harry Scolinos dropped his bid for the Republican nomination in 59th Assembly District.

For my past report on this race click here.

Scolinos’s campaign needed to get get going in order to win this race. A successful lawyer and bisinessman, it looks like he liked making money instead of running for Assembly. (BTW nothing wrong with that)

This changes the dynamic in the raceinthree ways.

This self funding conservative dropping his bid should help front runner Anthony Adams. Clearly Anthony Adams looks like the most conservative candidate.

But in this district geography is an issue. You have the San Gabriel Valley in Los Angeles County and the High Desert in San Bernardino County and a forest in between. Scolinos and the other two major candidates hail from the San Gabriel… Read More

In response to yesterday’s post on retired NFL cornerback Scott Turner making a run for Duke’s former congressional seat, which apparently resulted in a few media inquiries, I received a call from Congressman Duncan Hunter’s office this morning.

Scott Turner, although he has interned for the Congressman and assisted the office with support-the-troop efforts, is not an aide to, or in any way a paid employee of Duncan Hunter.

He is, however, running for Congress. (You still read it here first.)

I stand corrected, as does this blog, and I apologize for my reference to Scott as an "aide to Congressman Duncan Hunter."

I am, however, glad to know the media and congressional staff are reading the FlashReport.… Read More

Pomona sits on the eastern border of Los Angeles County and is aDemocratic Town. Except the last mayor Eddie Cortez was a Republican as was his predecessor Donna Smith. Pomona has had a GOP mayor for sometime. That may change Jan. 10. Eddie passed away and a special election was called. Imagine campaigning through Christmas and New Years Day. Any beats on turnout? Eleven candidates have thrown their hats in the ring. 5 are current or former council members. And three are Republicans. Republicans might have a shot at keep this Blue state city in Red state hands, but it won’t be easy. Democrat Norma Torres is council member who planned to run for the Democrat leaning 61st Assembly District against Senator, former Assembly member and former Pomona council member Nell Soto. This opened up as she transferred some of the cash she had. … Read More

I received a phone call after I posted about the 38th Assembly District race.The callerdidn’t buy my analysis. See it here.

Seethe personis in the slate mailing business and had a couple calls from consultantsasking to keepthat space open for a well funded, yet undeclared candidate in the 38th GOP primary.

I know a year ago the actor Joseph C Phillips (Cosby, theDistrict,Vegas and more)had looked at the race and decided against it.

Who is the mystery candidate?

Come out, come out where ever you are.

In the mean time, Smyth may have to start walking the district and raise more campaign cash.… Read More

The published story this morning is that Escondido Mayor Lori Holt Pfeiler is out, and Rancho Santa Fe businessman (read: has money) Ken King is in the race to succeed Duke Cunningham.

The unpublished story, found only here on my blogbarry, is that recently retired NFL cornerback and aide to Congressman Duncan Hunter is just days away from jumping into the mix.

The nine-year veteran of the Redskins, Chargers and Broncos has apparently been thinking about his next career for some time. The following was posted last year on ESPN.com:

August 13, 2004 – Broncos cornerback has his eye on politics in his next career: Scott Turner might someday trade in his helmet and pads for a suit and tie, and start passing laws instead of knocking down passes. Turner, 32, an eight-year veteran, worked as an intern in the San Diego office of U.S. Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Calif.… Read More

Well, since old Cunningham decided to write about the OC Lincoln Club, I thought I’d finish the short report I was writing on the San Diego Lincoln Club.

Last Thursday night I attended the 22nd Annual Dinner of the Lincoln Club of San Diego County. It easy fell into the top few local political fundraising events I’ve attended over the last ten years or so, and demonstrated the meteoric re-birth of the organization. The dinner featured a moving tribute to one of San Diego’s truly great men, Corky McMillin, a Cardinal of the Republican Party who passed away this year, and a keynote address by new Mayor Jerry Sanders.

It’s no national secret that I really dislike speeches – particularly the run of the mill boring non-partisan ones, but also the long ones over say 10 minutes. Jerry Sanders was neither boring nor long. In fact, and this is a rare treat, I and the other folks at the Francis table were moved and excited. In about ten minutes, Sanders outlined a program of real reform at City Hall with the calm authority of a man that says what he means, and means what he says. He was very clear… Read More