With the latest Survey USA poll showing Jim Patterson with a 4 point lead over Jeff Denham, the Chukchansi Tribe in Madera County is funding a six figure IE against Mr. Patterson – a negative barrage of mail, radio and TV designed as one final assault on Mr. Patterson’s record.

The Fresno Bee carries a story on this today – make no mistake about it – there are several FEC complaints pending, and a huge mess to sort out with regard to the tribe’s coordinated "fundraising" event feating $150,000 in ads funded by Denham’s State account and featuring Denham himself.

If I were the Tribe I’d start the shredders and wipe the email servers. They’ve already fired 12 people connected with the "fundraiser" and they’ll get rid of anyone with a story to tell about this "independent" expenditure as well. And I have news for them – we aren’t letting this go.

In… Read More

Last week I penned a lengthy commentary where I highlighted the fact that San Luis Obispo County Supervisor Katcho Achadjian, who is seeking the GOP nomination for the 33rd Assembly District this Tuesday, had not signed the Americans for Tax Reform "No New Taxes Pledge."

Today, on behalf of Katcho’s campaign, I was faxed this signed copy of the ATR pledge. For and foremost, I commend Katcho for publicly committing to the voters that he seeks to represent that if he is elected to the State Assembly, he promises never to vote for a tax increase. In signing this pledge, Katcho joins with his two primary opponents, Etta Waterfield and Matt Kokkonan.

I do find it interesting to note that Katcho’s pledge is dated for May the 20th — a week and a half before I penned my column. So it does make one wonder why Katcho signed the pledge, but then kept to it himself… Read More

Very interesting numbers coming out of absentee data in the Special Election run-off to be held concurrently with the Primary Election on Tuesday.

As of Friday, absentee ballots returned:

This is a district with about 50% Democrats, 25% Republicans, and 25% DTS. About 1/3 of the voters are expected to be Armenian. This is significant because Republicans should have a much higher turnout on Tuesday with very competitive races for Governor and U.S. Senate while the Democrats do not have similar competitiveness (and let’s face it, less than hyper-partisan voters are not flocking to the polls to vote for Assembly).

Republican businessman Sunder Ramani has actually raised impressive amounts of money though not at the level of his Democrat opponent who is able to rake in special interest money from Sacramento.

Ramani has considerable support in the Armenian community and is considered a strong ally while the Democrat, Mike Gatto, is distrusted and has shown very little concern for Armenian issues. Ramani’s campaign has… Read More

Fontana City Councilwoman Acquanetta Warren did a interview weeks ago in a local newspaper, expressing support for the AZ law (SB1070) that created a statute allowing the state to inquire as to immigration status of those stopped for other offenses. The same law has been in place in Federal statutes for years, and even here in California, we have a similar law.

But now that the issue is garnering attention, radical liberals have begun a series of attacks against Warren in the media — even at City Council meetings as in the following video.

Rather than bow down to angry illegal immigrant activists, Warren stepped up her efforts, launching a petition to demand the legislature abandon efforts to try to punish Arizona for enforcing immigration laws. Thousands of people have signed up to distribute petitions (available at www.Acquanetta.org), Warren has since been featured on the John & Ken show, who have run the clip almost daily.

… Read More

It wasn’t too long ago that Tom McClintock supporters started a Draft Tom movement to encourage the then-state senator to run for Congress. Now, McClintock’s faithful supporters have dusted off the Draft Tom campaign—but this time it’s to encourage the Congressman to run for a far loftier office than Congress or governor; the goal is the White House. Yesterday I received a message from Sacramento Republican activist Steve Macías informing me of his involvement with the Draft Tom McClintock for President Committee. The web site for the committee features the viral YouTube video of McClintock denouncing Mexican President Felipe Calderón for attacking the Arizona immigration law in his address to Congress last month. With over a million views, McClintock’s defense of America has resonated with average voters throughout the country. The 2012 presidential race is already in full … Read More

This Tuesday many voters in San Bernardino County will have the opportunity to do something that I will not get to do — and that is cast a vote for my long time friend and fellow conservative leader Janice Rutherford (pictured) as she seeks election to a seat on the Board of Supervisors. I have know Janice for over twenty five years, and let me assure you that she would be an outstanding Supervisor. Of course Janice, never one to do things the easy way, has decided to run against an eight year incumbent.

Janice and I have a friendship that goes back to our high school days where we both "cut our teeth" in the Junior Statesmen of America, the nation’s leading non-partisan, high-school level organization all about politics and government. We both still give back today, she as a Director and me as a Trustee, of this great… Read More

This Tuesday many voters in San Bernardino County will have the opportunity to do something that I will not get to do — and that is cast a vote for my long time friend and fellow conservative leader Janice Rutherford (pictured) as she seeks election to a seat on the Board of Supervisors. I have know Janice for over twenty five years, and let me assure you that she would be an outstanding Supervisor. Of course Janice, never one to do things the easy way, has decided to run against an eight year incumbent.

Janice and I have a friendship that goes back to our high school days where we both "cut our teeth" in the Junior Statesmen of America, the nation’s leading non-partisan, high-school level organization all about politics and government. We both still give back today, she as a Director and me as a Trustee, of this great… Read More

Much has been made about the possibility of Meg Whitman and Carly Fiorina heading the two top spots on the ballot for Republicans.

What many miss is the dramatic increase that will happen at the State Assembly level. Conservative GOP women are heading to Sacramento.

The current count in the state assembly is 4. Diane Harkey and Connie Conway are staying where they are at. Audra Strickland is termed out and hopefully wins a County Supervisor seat in Ventura.

The fourth Jean Fuller will win her primary and win election to the State Senate. That would make two counting Mimi Walters. A third could be Lucille Kring running against Lou Correa in the competitive Senate District in Orange County.

In the Assembly, there are a several gains where for the most part CONSERVATIVE GOP women could win in heavily GOP… Read More