While the media focuses on the actual or potential spending in the GOP Gubernatorial Primary, Republicans down-ballot are finding it more difficult to rally up the funds required to run statewide. Based on reported contributions to all committees controlled by a candidate, through Friday, Insurance Commissioner candidate Assemblyman Mike Villines (932k raised, 180k cash on hand) and Attorney General candidate State Senator Tom Harman (672k raised and 313k cash on hand) lead the pack. Villines obviously had the advantage of having been Assembly Republican Leader, and Harman has really improved his fundraising capabilities since he was first elected, mostly through hard work. Damon Dunn (129k raised) is the only non-elected Republican downticket candidate to break 100k.

Raised, by candidate:

Whitman for Governor $49.9 million Poizner for Governor $20.8 million Villines for Insurance Commissioner 932k Harman for Attorney General 672k Walters for Treasurer 211k Aanestad for Lt. Governor 163k Maldonado for Lt. Governor 129k Dunn for Secretary of State 129k Cooley for Attorney General 88k Eastman for Attorney General 20k… Read More

To conclude that the state is bankrupt is to suggest that the state is unable to pay its debtors even after selling all its assets and giving up all its income. That is simply not true. The reality is that the state is choosing to spend more than it takes in, which is a policy choice that needs to change, but those who believe bankruptcy would make Sacramento face reality would not like the result.

In the past I have been loose with the word ‘bankrupt,’ but even if some court could have bankruptcy jurisdiction the state would still not be insolvent to file for relief. To be insolvent is to have debts greater than assets. Our debts are roughly $131 billion in General Obligation Bonds (issued and eligible) and leasing arrangements, plus around $500 billion in present and future pension and health liabilities, for a total of around $630 billion. On the asset side, the PERS account (underfunded but still substantial), plus all state property – the buildings, state parks, beaches, oil leases etc and other investments – is greater than $635 billion. As far as debt service, according to the Treasurer’s 2009 report, our annual total debt service is around… Read More

It didn’t take long this morning before an inquisitive FR reader asked about my endorsement of Marco Rubio for U.S. Senate in Florida, and whether I am obliged to stay neutral in his showdown against liberal GOPer and Florida Governor Charlie Crist.

I checked in with the California Republican Party’s legal counsel on this very point. Bell assured me that the bylaws of the State GOP prohibit elected CRP Officers from endorsing in contested partisan primaries here in the Golden State — but do not keep us from endorsing Republicans in primaries outside of California.

Good to know!… Read More

[Cross-posted from RedCounty.com]

I’ve learned that Anaheim Councilwoman Lucille Kring visited the OCRegistrar of Voters office earlier this afternoon and pulled papers to run against Democratic incumbent Sen. Lou Correa in the 34th Senate District.

This is bad news for the vulnerable Correa, who was getting tantalizingly close to avoiding a real opponent in what promises to be the worst year for Democrats in a long, long time.

You can read the rest of the post here.… Read More

The race for California Governor "officially" now has a candidate – Steve Poizner. This morning the Insurance Commissioner filed his papers making his candidacy official. Courtesy of his campaign, here is some local MSM news television coverage of his filing…

… Read More

The speculation has lasted for several months whether appointed incumbent San Diego County Assessor/Recorder/Clerk David Butler would seek election in his own right.

Appointed by the Board of Supervisors last year after 25-year office holder Greg Smith resigned in late 2008, Butler offficially announced today he will run for the seat. Very officially. After all, what better way to get the word out than by letting County employees know through use of the publicly-owned email system?

His first campaign missive has established Butler’s efficiency! Why develop your own campaign distribution list, when the taxpayers’ system is already in place?

Okay, some might say that the message below from Butler doesn’t actually say anything akin to "Vote for me," or direct anyone to a campaign website. It could be construed aspertinent information for the office. Yet, it does include items for which he is taking credit, while titling them "Critical Long Term Projects," the implication clearly being they are important enough that Butler needs to continue to serve.

After the recent Walt Ekard flap over his email… Read More

One of the funny things in running for statewide office in California is that if you want to take advantage of the 250 word ballot statement that comes with accepting the expenditure limits under Prop 34 you have to do it prior to the filing deadline.

So if you still are planning to run for statewide office or Board of Equalization and you did not file your ballot statement with the Secretary of State by February 17th then you missed an opportunity to pay $25 a word to get your message out to every member of your own party in the state. It also makes me wonder what happens if you place the ballot statement and then don’t actually file for office.

If you are interested in reading the statements they are available for public review until March 15th. Read them here.

After looking at these a couple things jump out.

1) Senator Barbara Boxer claims to be helping small businesses thrive. That is just crazy.

2) Ted Costa paid $25 to have a one word ballot statement get sent out in his campaign for State Controller —- www.tedcosta.com.… Read More

One of the most anticipated races in the county this year (if not the most) is for San Diego County Sheriff, due to the "open seat" status resulting from the early departure of Sheriff Bill Kolender and the subsequent appointment of Bill Gore to the position by the Board of Supervisors.

At this point the race is being defined by the money trail, through December 31 of last year, focusing on the all important cash-on-hand category:

Jim Duffy, former Sheriff Department lieutenant and former chief of staff to Supervisor Ron Roberts-Raised (July-Dec 2009): $34,225 -Cash on Hand: $47,421 -Debt: 0

Bill Gore, appointed San Diego County Sheriff-Raised (July-Dec 2009): $103,488 -Cash on Hand: $111,981 -Debt: $35,886 (no personal loans)

Jay La Suer, former Department Undersheriff and retired 77th District Assemblyman-Raised (July-Dec 2009): $30,363 -Cash on Hand: $10,337 -Debt: 0

Bruce Ruff, retired Sheriff Department sergeant and three-time prior Sheriff candidate -Raised (July-Dec 2009): $5,300 -Cash on Hand: $942 -Debt: $8,000 (all personal… Read More