It seems as though every day, it is getting harder and harder to read the tea leaves and keep track of the changing dynamics of the special election in the 50th Congressional, to replace the disgraced and resigned Randy "Duke" Cunningham, who infamously admitted his guilt in taking over $2 million in compensation for doling out government contracts.

It is the backdrop of this being ground-zero for an electorate betrayed by their Congressman that makes the drama so intense. There is a dynamic here that has never existed in a California Congressional special election before…

I have told a number of people that because of the pricy real estate values in much of this coastal San Diego district, there are literally tens of thousands of potential candidates one mortgage away from self-funding a race. Well, today there is a new Republican candidate jumping into the race, and he won’t have to mortgage any of his (multiple) houses, including the one in Rancho Santa Fe that he, his wife, and their five children call home.

… Read More

The City of Torrance is nestled in the South Bay of Los Angeles County. The population is about 140,000. Michelle Kwan hails from there and I love eating at the nearby Alpine Village. It has a conservative reputation, even though two of the last three Assemblymen from the area were Democrats on the Torrance City Council.

i was wrong about the 100K it is actually more that you would need. The Daily Breeze has an article about the upcoming June 6 election for Mayor. The challenger has loaned his campaign 100K and expects to get outspent by current GOP registered Mayor Dan Walker. See the article here.

Remember the days when 110K meant you were a leading Assembly candidate?… Read More

As the famed, late Assembly Speaker Jesse Unruh (pictured) was famed for saying, "Money is the mother’s milk of politics."

For years now, Matt Rexroad over at Meridian Pacific has been known for producing some of the best information to keep track of how much folks have raised and spent on their campaigns. Hopefully Matt will continue with his great tracking of late-expenditures when we get to that season. But for now, you can direct your browser over to Meridian’s Cal-Races website and download an Excel Spreadsheet for your computer, that will allow you to look up any statewide or legislative races, and see the current snapshot of latest numbers filed with the Secretary of State.

THANK YOU to Matt and the team at Meridian for providing this resource!… Read More

Anyone reading my posts knows by now (yeah, ad nausem, you may say) that the San Diego County Board of Education will fill Ernie Dronenburg’s vacancy Monday night. The Union-Tribune this morning runs a detailed list of the 11 candidates, as well as another story, "Education board to fill seat," on the recent history and responsibilities of this sometimes enigma-of-a-body.

The latter-mentioned story, although not crediting the FlashReport (every other newspaper around seems to be lately), does make mention that "Conservative blogger and La Mesa Councilman Barry Jantz and online newspaper Voice of San Diego both raised questions about the county Office of Education’s failure to post news of the board vacancy until just days before the Jan. 27 deadline to apply." Factual, althoughI didn’t know that a strong belief in fully transparent government processes was something conservative. I thought it was common sense,… Read More

Even one of the most prolific writers has to take some time for himself. So I will not be penning a lengthy commentary for today. I would simply suggest that you should definitely read several of the articles featured on the main page today:

* The Chronicle looks at the controversy surrounding the Governor’s Chief of Staff, Susan Kennedy, being simultaneously on the government payroll and the campaign payroll. Carla Marinucci, the piece’s author, delves into this growing controversy. * In the Daily News, there is an article highlighting that Senate Democrats, lead by President Pro-Tem Don Perata, see ‘no need’ for the Governor’s proposed 6% spending cap. That it could tie the hands of future efforts at borrowing. Actually, the cap is one of the positive things in the Governor’s proposal. Perhaps their opposition to the cap will nix the whole borrowing scheme and we can focus on the Assembly Republican pay-as-you-go plan. * Debra Saunders has secured today’s "Golden Pen" award as she looks at a controversial issue – which… Read More

Even one of the most prolific writers has to take some time for himself. So I will not be penning a lengthy commentary for today. I would simply suggest that you should definitely read several of the articles featured on the main page today:

* The Chronicle looks at the controversy surrounding the Governor’s Chief of Staff, Susan Kennedy, being simultaneously on the government payroll and the campaign payroll. Carla Marinucci, the piece’s author, delves into this growing controversy. * In the Daily News, there is an article highlighting that Senate Democrats, lead by President Pro-Tem Don Perata, see ‘no need’ for the Governor’s proposed 6% spending cap. That it could tie the hands of future efforts at borrowing. Actually, the cap is one of the positive things in the Governor’s proposal. Perhaps their opposition to the cap will nix the whole borrowing scheme and we can focus on the Assembly Republican pay-as-you-go plan. * Debra Saunders has secured today’s "Golden Pen" award as she looks at a controversial issue – which… Read More

In further proof the this battle is shaping up for nowon geographical basis the Association of Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs (ALADS) have endorsed Chris Lancaster. Their website still says they have endorsed drop out Harry Scolinos. But below you can see the letter.

The union that represents San Bernardino County Deputies has endorsed Anthony Adams for the 59th.

Both unions opposed Prop. 75 and tend to endorse Democrats. They have both endorsed Steve Westly for Governor. But in these safe GOP seats they do endorse Republicans. ALADS does have a slightly more GOP tilt with support of Strickland in the GOP primary for Controller.

FR Contributor Brad Mitzefelt has the latest previous column on this race. In that story are links to my latest previous postthat has links to all the other earlierposts. Knock yourself out by looking here.… Read More

Here’s a quick update on San Bernardino’s county races. All six countywide offices are up for election. Of the countywide races, the one to watch will likely be Board of Supervisors Chairman Bill Postmus’ run for County Assessor. With the incumbent, Don Williamson, showing $7,455 in the bank and talking about either retiring or running for the 3rd District BOE seat, Postmus (my boss) might have anticipated skating to victory on his support base, list of accomplishments and warchest of $726,946. But there is a potential challenger in Michael Willhite, an Appraiser III from the Assessor’s Office who has yet to raise any money for his campaign.

Postmus’ Assessor Campaign website went live Friday at www.billpostmus.com.

Regarding the other countywide offices, Sheriff Gary Penrod ($180,906), District Attorney Michael Ramos ($317,299), Auditor/Controller-Recorder Larry Walker ($114,410), Treasurer-Tax Collector Dick Larsen ($141,037), and Schools Superintendent Herb Fischer ($221,457), don’t expect tough challenges this go-around. But you never… Read More