Updated 3/12

First off, Brett Wagner has been saying this for months. ( Which proves that this blog is the source for Ventura County politics!).

The Democrats now have an open seat with two candidates that have been running for months. Update: Mary Pallant has dropped out of the race.
The Republicans will have a bloody primary( if the filing period is court ordered to open up again). Right now as we speak, I know calls are being made and support lined up. Update: Only a bloody primary if the filing period opens up again. Or Elton runs and wins, then retires and a special election is called to fill his place.

So, what Republicans might run?

Here is my list:

1. Glen Becerra. His seat is up on the city council this November. He has always made noises about running for higher office. He is a professional Republican and politician. I can't imagine him getting a day job in an investment firm. Will he do it?

This would also open up a seat on the city council. That brings a whole list of questions. Who will run for that seat? Bill Davis? I just hope the city doesn't appoint someone so they can run as a semi-incumbent. Update: Becerra said he is out. He has young children and now is not the right time. That speaks to his character.
2. Paul Miller. He has the name ID and is currently the elected mayor of one of the largest cities in the district. On top of that, the ballot might say " Retired cop" and that would look golden.

3.Michael Tenenbaum. I don't know much about him so I will quote from The Star:

From The Star Timm Herdt ...

County GOP Central Committee Chairwoman Leslie Cornejo said she was "floored" when she heard the news. She said Tenenbaum became active in local GOP politics last fall, and she was so impressed she appointed him to the state Republican Central Committee.

"I saw him as a young man with a future," Cornejo said.

Tenenbaum, 37, has taken out nomination papers and has until today to return them.

He was reared in Thousand Oaks and was valedictorian of the Thousand Oaks High Class of '87. He returned to the county after graduating from Harvard Law School and now practices law and runs a business-consulting firm.

Tenenbaum said he is confident he will have ample resources to mount a serious campaign but will not entirely self-fund a challenge. "I'm not a rich-guy candidate looking for something to do," he said.

4. Tom McClintock or Tony Strickland. Both of these guys have already started to run for higher offices. But I guess it is never too late? Update: It is too late. So far, unless something changes, running for another office prohibits someone for signing up.

5. Cathy Carlson/Mike Dunn. This would force the Republican Party to move right in the primary and try to move back towards the center in the general.

Thoughts? Parting wished for Elton Gallegly? Looking for a link to Ferial Masry's website?

Gallegly won't seek reelection
March 10, 2006

Congressman Elton Gallegly announced today he would not run for reelection, citing "a medical issue that is yet to be resolved."

In a press release, Gallegly said it has been a privilage to have served Ventura County for the past 20 years, but said "circumstances over the past two weeks have comnvinced me that it is now time to begin the next chapter of my life."

"I have been dealing with a medical issue that is yet to be resolved," Gallegly said in a press release. "Although I am hopeful it will be resolved positively, it would not be fair to my constituents and supporters should I be forced to withdraw from the race mid-year. This has not been an easy decision but I believe it is the correct one."

Gallegly, R-Simi Valley, has been in Congress for more than 19 years. On November 2, 2004, voters elected him to his 10th term in the U.S. House of Representatives with more than 62 percent of the vote. He was first elected to public office in 1979 as a Simi Valley City Councilmember and was elected to Congress in 1986.

More details will be added to this story as they become available.