I’ve been engaged in politics, either as a volunteer or professionally, for over two decades now. During that period of time, I have seen Tom Campbell successful run for state and federal legislative offices with success. The area in which he lived, south of San Francisco near San Jose, during the 90’s was home to a lot of GOP officeholders who tended to gravitate more conservative fiscally and more liberal socially. Time having gone by, no that turf isn’t even friendly to moderate Republicans anymore.

Tom Campbell has made runs for statewide office three times now (if you include the current quest for the GOP nomination for Governor). In 1992 he narrowly lost (by less than 3%) the Republican primary for U.S. Senate to conservative icon Bruce Herschensohn (who went on to then Congresswoman Barbara Boxer). In 2000, a cycle with which I am very familiar as I was Executive Director of the California Republican Party at the time, Campbell won the primary (besting then… Read More

Many are wondering why Harry Reid, sitting Majority Leader, is in such a perilous political position after being a dominant political figure in Nevada for 40 years. There’s a not-so-obvious reason worth noting. Yes, Reid is a liberal but he is also considered pro-life and pro-gun. How has someone holding those views climbed to the position of leader in a caucus typically intolerant of dissension on those issues? I have no idea. But politically, it is one of the reasons that Reid has had an electorally trouble-free existence: He unites the Democrats with a coalition of independents and moderates in part due to his positions on guns and babies. Now, however, Reid has become the poster boy for an unpopular political agenda topped by a government takeover of healthcare. Across the nation polls show independents increasingly opposed to health care “reform” and Reid’s ability to appeal to indies and moderate Republicans has dissipated. And just when he needs the liberal base the most, the most rabid segments… Read More

Late last evening the Bob Whalen campaign filed his end of year finance reports. The numbers themselves are shocking with only $7000 on hand and bills totaling $9000.

The Whalen campaign has less than zero dollars. Meanwhile the only other candidate in the race is Madera farmer Don McKinney who (disclosure: client) will report over $120,000 in cash on hand when his reports are filed.

McKinney has continued to impress with his work ethic, knowledge of the issues and focused campaign that has continued to build momentum. Meanwhile Whalen’s campaign has been a train wreck and without the ability to compete financially it makes one wonder just how long that campaign will continue. Word on the street is he no longer has the services of his fundraiser and the wheels are coming off.

McKinney is now in a position to drive this race and lock down the primaryto save resources for the GOP in the fall. The momentum has clearly been moving McKinney’s way. Now it should grow even stronger.… Read More

FIRST POSTED AT 8:22AM. Updates below. I am sick this morning over the news that last night, while playing basketball, longtime GOP Capitol staffer Will Smith suffered a heart attack that took his life. Will was a great guy and what a tragedy to be struck down in the prime of his life. Smith had been serving as Chief of Staff for State Senator George Runner. Please keep his family in your prayers. I’m sure we’ll have more on this.

Breaking political news generally is a fun task. This morning, it is a horrible one.

Rest in peace, my friend. UPDATED 8:55AM.

Below is a brief statement from Will’s wife, Anissa, and also some thoughts from one of Will’s friends, Chris Jones. FR readers with thoughts of Will are invited… Read More

FlashReport readers know that Damon Dunn is a newcomer on the political scene, but has made quite a splash with his candidate for the GOP nomination for Secretary of State.

I received an interesting note from Anthony Bookman, Damon Dunn’s Jr. High classmate, college friend and Stanford teammate. It is an interesting read and provides some great insights into Dunn. I have reprinted it below. Since Anthony played football at Stanford, I "Googled" him and came up with this great article where he played a key role in a major Cardinal defeat of Notre Dame back in 1997. This photo is Anthony setting up a touchdown in the 4th quarter of the game.

Understanding The Real Damon Dunn… Read More

FlashReport readers know that Damon Dunn is a newcomer on the political scene, but has made quite a splash with his candidate for the GOP nomination for Secretary of State.

I received an interesting note from Anthony Bookman, Damon Dunn’s Jr. High classmate, college friend and Stanford teammate. It is an interesting read and provides some great insights into Dunn. I have reprinted it below. Since Anthony played football at Stanford, I "Googled" him and came up with this great article where he played a key role in a major Cardinal defeat of Notre Dame back in 1997. This photo is Anthony setting up a touchdown in the 4th quarter of the game.

Understanding The Real Damon Dunn… Read More

It’s no secret that I strongly oppose Project Labor Agreements (PLAs). They’re nothing more than special interest giveaways to unions and provide no benefit to taxpayers. I can’t imagine any Republican that would support these agreements. Construction contracts of any kind should be awarded to the best bidder, regardless of if they’re union or non-union.

My friends on the left love to claim that these union giveaways guarantee quality and accountability on taxpayer financed projects. However, the Associated Builders and Contractors, California Cooperation Committee (ABC-CCC) and their Taxpayer Accountability Project have blown a hole in that argument. The City of Milpitas enacted a PLA for the construction of a $39 million library project. City officials boasted that this project, because of the PLA, was a resounding success. The problem for City officials stems from the fact that they never anticipated that any organization would actually audit the project to ensure state labor laws were followed.

ABC-CCC, under the leadership of executive director (and friend of the FlashReport) Kevin Korenthal, conducted an independent labor… Read More

Fresno City Councilman Larry Westerlund announced his intention todayto run for the Republican nomination for the 19th Congressional District seat currently held by retiring Congressman George Radanovich. Westerlund become the 4th candidate, and the3rd candidate from outside the District, toseek the nomination. Former Fresno Mayor Jim Patterson is the only declared candidate that lives inCongressional 19, and is joined by former Congressman Richard Pombo (Tracy) and State Senator Jeff Denham (Salinas).

Westerlund’s run is interesting, to say the least. The Lincoln Club of Fresno County has supported him for his Council campaigns twice, but even the most casual observer knows he has no chance to win the Republican nomination for CD 19. So what is his candidacy all about? Time will tell, but it is far from a wild conspiracy theory to believe he is part of a strategy to deny former Fresno Mayor Jim Patterson votes in the Fresno area.

For now, Patterson’s greatest asset is strong name id locally, and a popular following among KMJ 580 radio listeners. Pombo, if he is to be succesfull, will ride the endorsement of Congressman… Read More