Backs Andal in Race for Congress

At 2 P.M. this afternoon in Danville, Assemblyman Guy Houston will declare his candidacy for Contra Costa County Supervisor by challenging sitting incumbent Mary Piepho. Houston, a veteran of a targeted seat in the 15th district, will have a huge advantage in fundraising and name identification (as well as the gratitude of the GOP for giving Dean Andal a clear shot at McNerney). Piepho has had trouble solidifying her seat and will now be facing a formidable opponent in Houston. As the long-time Mayor of Dublin before his tenure in the Assembly, Houston is no strager to the importance and differences that a non-partisan race entails and has always had a strong base of democrat support due to his hard work and fiscal conservatism.

After speaking to the Assemblyman, it is apparent that the major financial problems of Contra Costa County were an important factor and he feels he "can do a lot of good" on the Board of Supervisors. He was also keenly aware that a primary in the 11th congressional district would not help the GOP and would waste valuable resources. When discussing… Read More

SENATE GOP RESOLVE AND SOLIDARITY The built-in deficit in the budget passed by the California Assembly is actually about $2.9 billion. This is significantly more than the numbers being thrown around by those advocating the passage of that document in the Senate. One of the problems is that with a budget that is so huge, there are so many areas that can be interpreted and analyzed in different ways. I can tell you that over the years, I have come to rely on the financial acumen of State Senator and FR friend Tom McClintock for some clarity and truth on fiscal matters. $2.9 billion is his number. He also reminds us that this year’s proposed budget represents a $21.7 BILLION dollar increase in state spending since the recall election that brought Arnold Schwarzenegger to Sacramento. So with this as some very sobering context, we have to applaud what are being referred to as the "Magnificent 14" for their solidarity. Republicans sticking… Read More

That is the question all GOP donors and activists need to ask themselves after last nights budget vote. Don’t get me wrong. I like Abel personally. He is a nice guy. If he is the nominee CRA is bound to support the nominees of the party. But his district is a tough one and he will have a tough time in his re-election campaign. It will cost the GOP big bucks to keep him there. Registration has been slipping etc… So is he worth a cool million dollars? Because of the 2/3rds vote needed to approve a state budget, it is the one time that our GOP Senators can make a difference and make a stand. There are no judicial confirmations or leadership control issues at stake. These issues are often used by liberal Republican to persuade us to vote for their candidates. … Read More

Today, termed-out Republican Assembly Guy Houston (pictured to the right), who represents an east Bay Area legislative district, announced plans that he is running to unseat incumbent Republican Supervisor Mary Piepho. This, of course, is bad news for Piepho (who had not been making any sounds about retirement) and very good news for former Board of Equalization Member Dean Andal.

Piepho, from what I understand though FR sources, is not too popular amongst the GOP activist and donor communities in Contra Costa County, and may have big troubles fending off a strong challenge from the charismatic Houston. That said, the power of incumbency is strong, and particular for County Supervisors who typically have mastered the art of performing "cashectomies" on the large group of people who care a lot about the decions made by county government.

… Read More

SENATE GOP RESOLVE AND SOLIDARITY The built-in deficit in the budget passed by the California Assembly is actually about $2.9 billion. This is significantly more than the numbers being thrown around by those advocating the passage of that document in the Senate. One of the problems is that with a budget that is so huge, there are so many areas that can be interpreted and analyzed in different ways. I can tell you that over the years, I have come to rely on the financial acumen of State Senator and FR friend Tom McClintock for some clarity and truth on fiscal matters. $2.9 billion is his number. He also reminds us that this year’s proposed budget represents a $21.7 BILLION dollar increase in state spending since the recall election that brought Arnold Schwarzenegger to Sacramento. So with this as some very sobering context, we have to applaud what are being referred to as the "Magnificent 14" for their solidarity. Republicans sticking… Read More

Legitimate, real and important policy differences separate Senate Republicans and Democrats in the budget debate.

After it was clear that no forward momentum on a budget would take place (Senator Dennis Hollingsworth attempted to bring up GOP programmic changes and belt-tightening trailer bills to no avail), Senator Jeff Denham tried to bring up a motion to fund vital government services during this impasse. The Democrats voted as a block against this reasonable accomodation.

So to all of you TV, radio and newspaper reporters, you should report that it is the Democrats who want to use those in need of services as “pawns” to try and put on pressure for a bad budget resolution.

The Senate is in recess.… Read More

The State Senate is in session tonight, and despite knowing that the Republican Caucus has not agreed to a budget deal, Perata forced yet another vote on the fat, bloated state budget.

The vote failed, but it is notable that moderate Republican Abel Maldonado decided that hanging tough for real spending cuts and programmatic reforms was a bit too much for him. I don’t know what his pressure points were but when choosin’ time came, and he voted, he went with all of the Democrats instead of his colleagues.

To be commended are the 14 solid Senate Republicans who are keeping faith with each other, and are commited to some real reforms and spending cuts.

More to come, I’m sure…… Read More

With the reports in, here is how the fundraising is shaping up in the Riverside County State races for the period of January 1 through June 30. I posted only Republicans in the 37th SD and 64th AD since they are Republican seats. I will post the Democrats in a day or so for the 80th AD which is more highly Democrat than Republican:

SD 37 to replace termed out Jim Battin

Current 64th State Assemblyman John J. Benoit $441,000 Cash on Hand, $218,019 raised in the period.

Former 65th State Assemblyman Russ Bogh $427,000 Cash on Hand, $157,664 raised in the period.

Bothhave raised a mix of Sacramento and local funds.

AD 64 to replace termed out John J. Benoit

Rose Ramirez Girard$78,920 Cash on Hand, $101,901 raised. Loaned campaign $66,000, raised $37,000 from district

Kelly McCarty$81,078 Cash on Hand, raised $81,795. No personal money. Virtually all came from individual collision centers throughout the state.

John Pate$100,394 Cash on Hand, $106,840 raised. Loaned campaign… Read More