Starting today, I am pleased to announce that we are adding a new member of the FlashReport Weblog cast of characters — Amy Thoma — who will be our new Central Coast correspondent!

Amy is currently the Executive Director of the Monterey County GOP, and involved a with a lot of grassroots Republican activities. A graduate of the University of California at Los Angeles, Amy will bring a lot to the table.

Her beat will be from Santa Cruz down to Ventura County – a wide swath. Any FR readers are welcome to reach out to her!

We’ll be looking for great, insightful new and analysis from Amy!

Welcome!

Jon… Read More

I just saw on OC Blog that the Lincoln Club of Orange County has endorsed OC Supervisor Jim Silva for the 67th Assembly District, where incumbent Tom Harman is termed out.

Jim Silva’s opponent is Harman’s wife Dianne. Furthermore, a few weeks ago the Lincoln Club endorsed Diane Harkey over Tom Harman for the 35th Senate District special election.

Thus, we have an interesting situation where the Lincoln Club has simultaneously endorsed against a husband and wife in the same election cycle.

On a related note, I’m pleased to see the Silva campaign has resurrected The Silva Bullet newsletter. I created The Silva Bullet while serving as consultant on… Read More

I want to say thanks to Jon and the rest of the Flashreport team for allowing me to add my voice to the mix of writers already on here. Not only will the Central Coast now get some attention, but I think I can add a fresh perspective as the only “young” person writing (sorry guys…).

I am the Executive Director of the Monterey County Republican Party which is a fantastic job. I get to live in a beautiful area, help Republicans win (and we do) in a decisively “blue” county and work with a committee that is not only professional, but extraordinarily dedicated to the Republican cause. Not too shabby.

I’m excited to begin highlighting some of the goings-on here on the Central Coast. The Central Coast is not only the most beautiful part of our state, but one of the most interesting as well. My area stretches from Santa Cruz all the way down to Ventura which, needless to say, is a huge area and encompasses around 5 media markets. I don’t think I’ll have a shortage of news to share. I’ll do my best to keep you informed!

Now to the news…

Senator Jeff Denham represents a good portion… Read More

Think you’re the only one confused by the "new" Arnold? Even the media can’t seem to get a handle on the big guy.

Yesterday, the Governator was in the Bay Area, taking part in a local King Day breakfast.

This morning’s headlines:

San Francisco Chronicle: "’New’ Schwarzenegger Gets Surprisingly Warm Welcome"

Oakland Tribune: "Schwarzenegger Gets a Hostile Response"

From what I saw lat night on local tv, the Trib was closer to the mark. What should have been a feel-good event instead turned partisan, with House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi taking a pot-shot at Arnold for bad budgeting (short-changing education, not enough for poor folks) and bad initiatives (last fall’s special election).

Coupled with Al Gore’s speech yesterday, as well as Hillary’s meltdown back on the East Coast (she accused Republicans of a "plantation" mentality — what a nice, non-threatening triangulating word… Read More

Adam Mendelsohn is a new dad. He and his family have just relocated from Washington, D.C., back home to California. You see, this new dad is now the new Communications Director for Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. After years of valient service, Rob Stutzman has departed the post (though he will still be doing work with the Governor’s re-election campaign).

Adam is a friend, and I think that he will do a great job for the Governor. Adam consented to an interview that is featured in today’s issue of the FlashReport! Congratulations, Adam!

(P.S. – Rumor has it that Adam has pledged to bring his new baby with him to work each and every day! Somehow I think Mrs. Mendelsohn might not like that idea…!)

View Full Commentary… Read More

Adam Mendelsohn is a new dad. He and his family have just relocated from Washington, D.C., back home to California. You see, this new dad is now the new Communications Director for Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. After years of valient service, Rob Stutzman has departed the post (though he will still be doing work with the Governor’s re-election campaign).

Adam is a friend, and I think that he will do a great job for the Governor. Adam consented to an interview that is featured in today’s issue of the FlashReport! Congratulations, Adam!

(P.S. – Rumor has it that Adam has pledged to bring his new baby with him to work each and every day! Somehow I think Mrs. Mendelsohn might not like that idea…!)

GOVERNOR IN SAN FRANCISCO Governor Schwarzenegger commemorated Martin Luthor King, Jr, day with an appearance in San Francisco, where he spoke at an event sponsored by labor… Read More

If you haven ever driven North on the 710 (Long Beach Freeway) you will find that find that is stops at Valley Blvd in Alhambra. You have toexit. For over forty years the residents of South Pasadena have stopped completion of the 710 through Pasadenaby filinglawsuits, declaring homes as historic landmarks and punishing local politicians. Neighboring cities and business interests don’t like that fact. However, the intensity is on South Pasadena’s side. You can see a good quick rundown on that history here.

In an attempt to get around this problem, my buddy Gil Cedillo has introduced legislation to build a tunnel. You can my FR post on that here.

Now the supporters of finishing the freeway are trying to get a piece of Arnold’s $222 billion. See full story here.

These kinds of localfights will happen all over California. If the 710is included South Pasadena… Read More

Congressman Jerry Lewis, chairman of the powerful Appropriations Committee, favored fellow Californian Ken Calvert to take the vacancy left by Duke Cunningham’s resignation months ago on his committee. However, former Majority Leader Tom DeLay is poised to claim that plum assignment. DeLay, a member of the committee, had taken a leave in order to allow more room for other GOPers to get on the committee. With his responsibilities as Majority Leader, he wouldn’t have been a very active member anyway. Now, looking to find new power bases, DeLay will return.

One of the primary motivations of DeLay’s return is NASA. Johnson Space Center is one of DeLay’s constituents and he is passionate about the space program. This committee would give him oversight on NASA funding.… Read More