Earlier this afternoon, at a meeting of the incoming Assembly Republicans (which is to say retiring "seniors" were not there, and incoming but-not-yet-sworn-in freshman were) — a change in leadership took place. Assembly Republicans elected Connie Conway of the Central Valley as their new leader. Conway was just re-elected to her second term on Tuesday.

It is not unusual to see a change in legislative leadership when seats (or in this case a seat) are lost in an election. Garrick will have been one of the shorter-tenured leaders, having been elected to his post earlier in the year.

Conway made an attempt to displace Garrick during the state budget drill, which was not successful. Subsequently Garrick released her ("you’re fired!") from her role as Caucus Chairman. While we don’t know who the new Caucus Chairman will be, it’s a safe bet it won’t be Garrick…

Senate Republican Leader Bob Dutton is secure in his… Read More

The Fresno County Clerk’s Office needs to be investigated. Victor Salazar, who ran unopposed this year, has made a mess out of the entire voting and ballot counting process. The Fresno Bee has an opinion piece on the mess here, and you can read this news story here.

Like most government officials, they blame their incompetence on lack of funding. But that is not going to change anytime soon, and they knew about budget cuts 6 months ago. The real problem is a complete lack of creativity, entrepreneurial thinking, and planning for right sizing government. We have all had to do this in our business lives, but the Fresno County Clerk evidently doesn’t have the capacity to operate without unlimited funding.

Salazar had 6 months to create a volunteer brigade, engage students, lower the poll worker stipend, and communicate the polling place consolidation plan to the community, and he didn’t do it. Now, given the problems, we can’t… Read More

I asked throughout the nite for folks to weigh in. Some samplings…

10:21 am Wednesday…from Bryan Bloom, Priority Moving…

"Californian’s are best known for riding waves except political ones. We are the only state that allows the Democrats complete control of the government, even after they have proven they cannot effectively govern. "We have earned our reputation again as kooks, as voters turned down virtually every proposition to increase taxes or government spending yet voted in leaders at every level known for increasing taxes or government spending. Thus my neighbor doesn’t want his taxes increased, just mine. Get ready for more gridlock, more exodus from the state of jobs and wealth, and brace for increased wasteful spending and higher taxes and unemployment."____

10 am Wednesday…See Steve Baldwin’s SD Rostra post on the Tea Party and Nick Popaditch…

No tidal… Read More

Republicans were returned to the majority in the House yesterday with the largest change in House seats since 1948. We picked up 6 seats in the Senate, 19 state legislatures, and many governorships across the country. And, it’s all thanks to you, the voting public, who would not go quietly into submission to ever larger, more oppressive government and ever reducing hope and aspirations. You sent a message last night, and it was a resounding one.

Thank you for your trust, support and confidence. I am honored and truly humbled by it.

But, now the real work begins. This election was much more a rejection of the policies of Obama and Pelosi than it was approval of what Republicans have done. We have much to prove in the next 2 years.

As a Californian, my elation over the national results is tempered by the establishment of a state government here that is likely to be a disaster. It strikes me that Barbara Boxer and others campaigned on the threat of losing jobs to China and other foreign countries. California’s more immediate danger will be losing jobs and productive people to Texas and Tennessee.

The election is over. There will be time… Read More

In the world outside of California, the GOP: Six new U.S. Senators, Sixty new U.S. House Members – and control of the House of Representatives, at least ten new Governors, and picked up 10 new state legislative chambers. Wow, what a GREAT night for the GOP – everywhere else. Here in California, the GOP: Lost the Governorship (if you feel we had it), lost every statewide election (except maybe one), may have picked up two (or maybe zero, they’re that close) House seats, appear to have stayed even in the State Senate, lost a seat in the Assembly. California voters spoke loud and clear about tax increases, rejecting Prop. 21, Prop. 24 and Measure D in San Diego. Be careful what you ask for: With the passage of Prop. 25 and Prop. 26, it appears that Democrats will be able to draw up their own spending plans for California, but will need GOP votes for any tax OR fee increases. Have fun! Especially with the state budget implications of the passage of Prop. 22… While Governor races and state legislative chamber holds and switches are being talked about by pundits this morning … Read More

Election day is finally here – the end of what has been one of the most tumultuous and unpredictable election seasons that I can recall. My election day column issues a cautionary note to Republican voters – actually, more than that – a warning. While there are not nearly as many so-called “slate cards” dropping in year’s general election as we saw in the primary, there are still a good number – and this year we have seen a rise in Mercenary Slates that are pretending to have some sort of Republican pedigree, when the reality is apparently far from the truth. I use the term “Mercenary Slates” to describe slate cards that have defining ideology or commitment to actual Republican positions on the issues. The vendors of these faux-GOP slates are mercenaries, looking to make money while advancing causes that are counter to that of the Republican Party, and voters should not be fooled. Especially while these folks hide behind the false rhetoric of saying, “But we featured the GOP ticket…” That is a false argument since voters looking to support statewide GOP candidates… Read More

Later on tonight, after the polls close in California, we’ll be doing some blogging here on the results. In the meantime, polls are closing back east and I find that I am looking at both the Politico and National Journal websites.

I am already tweeting so you can see that here.… Read More

The only poll that counts is the one counted tonight.

Given the states registration numbers and hyper-gerrymandered districts, we won’t like see the same wave as what we are hoping for from across the country. However, the first job of keeping the seats we have to ‘hold’ as Republicans looks very good, with up to 2 pickups on the Assembly side and par on the State Senate, though one or par is more likely in the Assembly too, given late developments if polls can be believed.

In SD 12, the Jeff Denham seat, I was very impressed as to how our nominee Anthony Cannella and his operation was doing having spent the last 2 days there, walking and knocking in Modesto. He’s a great candidate, will be a great Senator and I think a new favorite, as I got to know him better during the walks. Kudos to Asm. and [incoming Senator], Tom Berryhill for all the hard workby his team in helping this neighboring district. It was great to join with he and Anthony for part of our precinct walks. And much praise for all the staff volunteers who have traveled to Modesto, Merced, Salinas, etc. The hard… Read More