I am proud to be an officer of the California Republican Party, serving as the CRP’s Vice Chairman, South. There is so much to enjoy about the position, working with so many great Republican activists, donors and leaders throughout the Southland and beyond. Sometimes people ask me what I like least about the position. I always tell them that it is an easy call — the party’s rules expressly prohibit me, and my fellow CRP officers, from endorsing in contested Republican primaries for partisan office. I believe that the future our party truly lies in Republicans making the right decision in these races.

In the GOP primary for U.S. Senate, there are two candidates running — Assemblyman Chuck DeVore and Carly Fiorina, the former Chief Executive Officer of Hewlett Packard. Over the next seven months or so, we’ll be featuring a lot of coverage in the race between these two for the GOP nomination. We’ll try to help you to make an informed decision, or if you’ve already decided, then we’ll give you a "front row seat" to… Read More

From today’s Wall Street Journal Political Diary…

Arnold’s Heir Transplant?

Arnold Schwarzenegger likes to drop big political news on Jay Leno’s TV show. In 2003, he announced his campaign for governor there. Last night, he followed that tradition by announcing his pick to be California’s next lieutenant governor — State Senator Abel Maldonado, an Hispanic Republican who’s the closest thing the governor has to an ideological ally in the legislature.

The job became vacant three weeks ago after Democratic Lt. Governor John Garamendi won a seat in Congress. Mr. Maldonado is a 42-year-old moderate whose family emigrated from Mexico to start their own farm. But… Read More

I tried to think of something special for my friend Richard Costigan to commemorate this, his birthday. I went to his FB page, and realized that he’s got plenty of people there wishing him well on his big day (FR friends John Bovee and Nancy Bennett among many others).

So, Richard, for you — a birthday cake right here on the FlashReport blog.

Hope you have a great one!

(Also, on behalf of all of your friends, we "get it" that you are disappointed that the Governor tapped Maldonado and not you to be Lt. Governor. Better luck next time — get over it!)… Read More

Last Tuesday voters in Orange County went to the polls to pick their next Assembly member. This was a hotly contested race on the Republican side, and while the race sometimes turned ugly, I was pleased to see the final results.

I endorsed Chris Norby because I believe he does what he says and he says what he means. As Floor Leader I need members like Chris by my side to help us push the Republican vision. I am confident that Supervisor Norby (and now, presumably, Assemblyman Norby) will make the voters of his district proud and will be a valuable asset to our caucus.

While this was a special election and Chris will still have to face a run-off, I have no doubt that he will be working with us in the Capitol come next year. Congratulations Assemblyman Norby, and welcome to Sacramento.… Read More

Senator Cogdill’s decision not to run for re-election may impact the race to replace Bill Leonard on the Board of Equalization.

Former Assemblyman Alan Nakanishiis seriouslylooking at a run at Senate District 14. Nakanishi previously ran for Senate against Mike Machado in 2000 and just missed. The race, assuming Mike Villines stays put for Insurance Commissioner, has only one other big name opponent, Assembly Tom Berryhill. Berryhill is oft mentioned as a possible successor to Sam Blakslee as Assembly Republican Leader.

Nakanishi would have to be able to get his money back from the various slates he bought. That would give him the half a million needed to run in the senate race. Having him change to Senate race changes the dynamics in a race that featured him, State Senator and rumored ballot title "Taxpayer Advocate" George Runner, Former Assemblywoman and Leonard’s deputy Barbara Alby and Senator Roy Ashburn.

His odds to win the Senate seat seem better than beating both Runner and Alby.

And people say nothing politcal happens over the holidays.… Read More

It is extremely annoying to have Governor Schwarzenegger (among others) attacking his fellow Republicans for being ‘partisan’.

I don’t want to speak for all of those elected Republicans in the State Capitol — but I will speak for myself. I am not a conservative because I am a Republican, I am a Republican because I am conservative.

The reason why conservatives in the legislature seem to

I think what Schwarzenegger is trying to say is that he doesn’t believe that there should be ideologues in Sacramento — individuals who are committed to a certain set of principles and ideas. Never mind the fact that it was a group of committed ideologues who founded the very republic in which we all enjoy our freedom.

Conservatives believe that practical solutions to solving problems facing our state should be looked to, first, beyond government. To individuals, to families, and communities. Ultimately, where government involvement is required or desired, it must be done mindful of the fact that the first most important calling of government officials should and must be to ensure that they do not set into motion actions by… Read More

Apparently the Governor just announced on the taping of tonight’s Jay Leno Show his announcement that he is nominating State Senator Abel Maldonado to be Lt. Governor. We extend congratulations to the Senator.

We are now commencing a 24 hour "nice nice" period where we shall say nothing critical.

(Of course, the blog post below this one was penned and posted BEFORE the breaking news.)

That said, the smarter people out there will write about timelines and such for confirmation votes. But it does immediately create a new political dynamic in the lower chamber where (presumably) Assembly Republican Leader Sam Blakeslee will now be focusing his energies into a forthcoming special election for the State Senate — which likely starts a countdown clock to his stepping aside from his Assembly Leadership position.

We’ll reach out to him to find out what he’s doing.… Read More

… Read More