It usually only happens once or twice every election cycle–the piece of campaign mail that is worthy of my sample mail file (because I might just use it myself in a future campaign, just changing the names and photos).

A cross between a timeshare sales brochure and what I imagine Don Lapre would use to promote his latest infomercial product, it’s a damn good piece of direct mail.

Dave Gilliard (GBW&A) is running Diane Harkey’s campaign for the 35th Senate District against Assemblyman Tom Harman. Giliard’s "Harman Method" highlights how Harman has ‘gotten rich’ off being a legislator. My research firm is doing Harkey’s polling.

Some people might think the piece is too cute, but it is well done and is even designed to be at first glance, a pro-Harman piece. Which is all the better because once you start reading it, it’s clearly not.… Read More

Today’s Marysville-Yuba City Appeal Democrat has a story about Secretary of State Bruce McPherson’s effort to visit all of California’s Registrar of Voters offices.

Yesterday, McPherson visited his 56th and 57th counties — leaving only a visit to Los Angeles to complete his tour. According to the Appeal Democrat story, many of these smaller counties have never been visited by the state’s top election officer. It’s part of McPherson’s effort to build a strong working relationship with election officers.

For those who know Bruce, they understand this is just the type of person that he is — hardworking and always willing to reach out and work with people.… Read More

We continue to highlight the appointments made by Governor Schwarzenegger — late last week, the Governor made two important appointments, Republican Lynn Jacobs as director of the Department of Housing and Community Development and George Valverde as director of the Department of Motor Vehicles. Here is more information about them:

GEORGE VALVERDE Valverde has served the State of California for thirty years, much if it in managerial roles, with a focus on operations and budget issues. He has served the State and Consumer Services Agency (SCSA) as undersecretary since 2004. Valverde was previously deputy secretary for fiscal operations from 1995 to 2003. Prior to his tenure with State and Consumer Services, he served in the Department of Finance as an assistant program budget manager of the Capitol Outlay Unit from 1990 to 1995, principal program budget analyst from 1985 to 1990 and budget analyst from 1981 to 1985.… Read More

Governor Schwarzenegger is making a bad call in saying that he will not appoint a new Chairman to the California Prop 10 Commission, which would have the effect of terminating Rob Reiner, who was appointed by Gray Davis, and who’s term has expired (apparently you serve ‘until replaced’). In today’s San Diego Union Tribune, the paper editorializes against this unfortunate decision. The piece can be found here.

The Governor should reconsider this decision. And, oh yes, he should also come out publicly against Reiner’s tax-increase measure right away.… Read More

Yesterday I wrote about Steve Schmidt, who is now closing in on two months as the campaign manager for Governor Schwarzenegger’s re-election. There was a story in the Capitol Weekly that was focused on Schmidt’s first three paychecks, which were pretty large. As I said in my piece, Schmidt not only got a hiring bonus (remember, he relocated his family to California from a pretty sweet-gig in the Administration in D.C.) but also may be the best investment that the campaign makes for the discipline and organizational skills he will bring to the campaign. This will pay off the most dividends if Schmidt can introduce some ‘consulting reform’ to the statewide campaign. A look back at traditional statewide campaigns and ballot measure efforts, most definately including the Governor’s past campaigns in both regards, show that a small group of consultants walk away with… Read More

Yesterday I wrote about Steve Schmidt, who is now closing in on two months as the campaign manager for Governor Schwarzenegger’s re-election. There was a story in the Capitol Weekly that was focused on Schmidt’s first three paychecks, which were pretty large. As I said in my piece, Schmidt not only got a hiring bonus (remember, he relocated his family to California from a pretty sweet-gig in the Administration in D.C.) but also may be the best investment that the campaign makes for the discipline and organizational skills he will bring to the campaign. This will pay off the most dividends if Schmidt can introduce some ‘consulting reform’ to the statewide campaign. A look back at traditional statewide campaigns and ballot measure efforts, most definately including the Governor’s past campaigns in both regards, show that a small group of consultants walk away with… Read More

Robin Lowe has been allowed onto the June Primary ballot for the 65th Assembly District, a campaign spokesman has confirmed. The Republican Mayor of Hemetprevailed in Sacramento Superior Court today after having been disqualified from the ballot by the Riverside County Registrar of Voters for insufficient signatures. Read previous coverage here.

According to Lowe consultant Jim Nygren, four voters who had been deemed ineligible to sign nomination papers by the Riverside registrar were technically still legally registered to vote in the district even though they signed the papers using a new address. "They could have voted in their old precincts," said Nygren, adding, "I’ve been through a similar drill before."

The candidate was in court for today’s proceedings. Nygren said while the fight to get on the ballot was admittedly a distraction, Lowe never stopped campaigning. "Wealways thought she’d end up on the ballot," Nygren said.… Read More

Long Beach is huge city and like many large cities it has an elected auditor. This year incumbent Gary Burroughs has an opponent in Water Repleshiment District Controller Laura Wilson Doud. Burroughs has been Auditor since 1992. Doud worked in the office until 1996. Hell hath no fury like an employee scorned. All gloves are off in this one, including Doud attacking Burroughs for his Amway business. She says she was asked to join, but didn’t. If shehad only joined and been in his downline? A little residual income could have made this all go away. See the story here.… Read More