( Somebody get me a new video of this contest!)
A new group of Republicans that are supporting Democrat Hannah-Beth Jackson has formed.
Unlike the purported group of Democrats supporting Strickland this group has a long list of former party leaders and elected officials.
Why is the group of self-proclaimed Democrats not willing to put their names behind Tony Strickland?
I am sure that Republicans will try to diminish the group but before you do, who is the biggest name Democrat supporting Tony Strickland?
Who is the most surprising name that you see on the list?
Click here to see their petition.
Click continue reading to see their press release.
Click here for Timm Herdt's take on the new group.
( Warning: Timm is spelled with two M's. If you send him an email and spell his name wrong he will sign you up for spam.)
A friend of mine puts together websites for Democratic candidates if you want a website put up quickly send me an email.
Contact: Bob Larkin, 805 377-3116
Moderate Republicans Form Group to Support
Hannah-Beth Jackson's Run for State Senate
Moderate Republicans from the three counties represented by State Senate District 19 have announced support for Democratic candidate Hannah-Beth Jackson in her race against Republican Tony Strickland. The group includes many prominent names in political circles including former State Senator Cathie Wright, former executive Director of the Ventura County Taxpayers Association Jere Robings; past Ventura County Republican Central Committee Chair Bob Larkin; retired Mayor of Moorpark
John Lane; Judy Mikels, former Chairperson of the Ventura County Board of Supervisors; John Walker, President, Ventura Unified School District Board and
Velma Lomax, Ventura Unified School District Board.
"Our group, Moderate Republicans for Jackson, was formed out of concern that Strickland is a man who is far removed from the beliefs and ethical standards held by the majority of people in our neighborhoods," Larkin said. "Tony Strickland is an extremist. He was the founding president of the California Club for Growth, part of the ultra right-wing National Club for Growth which has made it a mission to destroy the political careers of moderate Republicans."
The subject of numerous legal investigations into his campaign finances over the years, Strickland has also solicited nearly $85,000 in donations from tobacco companies and in the Assembly consistently sided with tobacco, oil, and gambling interests.
A career politician, he has opposed nearly every law established to protect our water, air, mountains and beaches. He has voted against legislation that protects the rights of consumers and the health of children, lowering prescription drug prices and capping electrical bills during the energy crisis.
As a former Deputy District Attorney prosecutor, Jackson has the solid backing of the majority of law enforcement officials in the district. As a family law attorney for 22 years with a practice employing as many as 15 people, she is the only candidate in the race who knows what it is like to run a small business, make a payroll and pay benefits.
As an Assembly member she authored more than 60 pieces of legislation to protect consumers, the environment, crime victims, women's rights and children. She has written and passed legislation to keep prescription drug prices as low as possible, simplify payment of sales and use taxes by businesses, and issue tax credits for teachers. Constituent services are a very high priority for Jackson.
"Hannah-Beth Jackson is someone we can trust," Robings said. "She listens to our concerns and wants to end the extreme partisan gridlock that has paralyzed our government. She has a proven track record and worked her entire life to make California a better place to live and work."
The dems for Strickland have not come out because there are none. Republicans are coming out for Jackson because they know what an unethical creep Tony Strickland is and they want real representation in this district.
I imagine there are a number of Republicans that don't want to publicly support HBJ but will vote for her in the booth. Strickland and his people have alienated many Republicans over the years - mostly because nothing is ever done.
How will Non-Partisans and DTS's vote in the senate 19 race?
GS,
How do you think they will vote? Have you seen any attempt by the campaigns to reach them this early?
Did you get more mail from Tony Strickland recently?
This group needs a website where the names of Republicans supporting Jackson is posted and quotes from them are put up. I am interested if this is pretty much all they got or if they will be adding more names to it.
I'm waiting for Katie to come out of the closet on this too. She's already swung way over to the dark side.
Nearly 300 names on the list -- the release just lists the higher profile and electeds.
Nothing more from Stickland's mailer commandos except the 3 or 4 I received during the past four(?) months. Perhaps someone's wised up and removed me from the mailing lists.
My guess is that 45% of N-Ps will vote, about 6-4 for Jackson And 35%-40% of DTS's will probably vote, with just over 50% for Jackson. I think Demo voters will turnout in bigger numbers than Repubs, making the difference for Jackson. I'm thinking the results will be a squeeker: 51% to 49%, for Jackson.
Yawnnnnnnn,
Has beens, burnouts and losers. This is a press release that won't go anywhere.
Burn outs, has beens and losers.
This is a press release that won't go anywhere.
If you get active in the local Republican Party and you get disgusted with their tactics they will turn on you.
Just read what they are saying about the former hard of their party and their elected officals!
Voter,
I noted two Republican members of the Ventura School Board on that list. One is our president. They are both currently in office and are hard-working, dedicated individuals. I take VERY great offense at your characterizations.
The others are all names who have been or currently are prominent in county politics, especially Cathie Wright, who I have much respect for.
If these distinguished Republicans feel this strongly that Tony Strickland should not be elected, there must be a reason why. They have all been around long enough to know what they're dealing with here.
I have no respect for any organization which is intolerant of moderate views, which Tony Strickland's Club for Growth is infamous for.
I have found Hannah-Beth to be very open to listening to all points of view.
Marie,
You don't really have a good grasp of political history. If you did you would know that the one and only vote Cathie Wright is remembered for is the one that kept Willie Brown as speaker.
As far as your school board members are concerned I hope they enjoy their last term as elected officials.
As for why these people have banded together, revenge for past perceived indignities, lost elections or whatever else, these fellow travelers are joined in a fools errand that will prove to be the wildest miscalculation in their political careers.
Marie said it best. But then again, how about the Ventura County Sheriffs Association or the Ventura County Firefighters? Here I thought Cathy Wright was a stand up representative of the Republican Party for a great many years. Now she is a has been? What do all these people know that would cause them to turn on their own party's candidate? What does Strickland represent that caused these Republicans to take this drastic step? Rest assured we will find out. I've never known Cathy Wright to be a wall flower who was afraid to speak her mind. My guess is that these Republicans are not necessarily endorsing all of Jackson's political views. My guess is that they are, however, of the uniform position that Strickland is only out for his own interests and will lie, cheat and steal to enrich himself at the expense of the taxpayers. But lets wait for the Republicans to tell us why they have turned on Strickland.
Hey Bloggers and voters,
About time the facts come out about Tony and Audra Strickland and we can respect thinking Republicans in Ventura County. I note that Tony has more than two times as much cash in the bank to run this campaign against Hannah Beth Jackson, but truth like this will trump his big corporate, 90 percent from outside the District, very telltale donations.
Wow, Voter, those are serious threats.
The VCRCC has never lifted a finger to get either of these two fine school board members elected before. They get elected because they do their jobs very well and the Ventura voters know it.
What are your plans, then? "Membership mailer" hits on your own party members?
If I were a Republican in this county (and I used to be one), I wouldn't want your tobacco-money funded "help."
The term kiss of death comes to mind.
300 names on the list? Is it a secret list of is it available to the public?
The only person I have ever heard dissing Cathie Wright is the current chair of the VCRCC. Judy Mikels made the mistake of running against Tom McClintock.
It is offensive having any of the people named in the press release slammed by anonymous posters - but that is a typical MO.
And the current VCRCC already has a history of doing hit pieces on its own party members. Witness the mailers that went out against Pat Phelps (R) on the Conejo School District Board. Audra's employee and member of the VCRCC was quoted in it and printed it.
300 names on the list? Is it a secret list or is the list a public one? As of this moment, there's two names in the signature section of the petition and they have the same last name. I wonder if that claim can be backed up.
There is a difference between somebody that needs a job and somebody who wants one. Mr. Strickland needs a job. Hanna Beth Jackson sees an opportunity to make things better.
Would the VCRCC really take out 2 Republican school board members for endorsing the wrong way according to you without looking at what they are doing for local schools?
Why would you purposefully attempt to mess up local governance of schools out of spite? That seems so partisan that now we all know anyone running against these two aren't there for students!
All local Republicans should take a warning that these people don't care about local schools or our communities. They are rapid partisan.
By the way, how did the threats against Barbra Williamson come out? She is cruising to reelection even after lame threats to get revenge on her.
Can we all get an official statement from the VCRCC that they threatened to go after elected Republican school board members without a moment thinking about local schools?
If these incumbents face a challenge from anyone close to the central committee the mailers pointing out your partisan attempt at petty vengeance will remove any chances your party hacks had at winning over the stake holders.
But I guess you could have school board members ask for tobacco money. That's like having a DA ask a DUI defense attorney for money!
Boy, Voter sure does throw around the threats. I thought only Osborn used that tactic. Speak out against the Stricklands and you are finished. John Gotti ran New York with that language. He put his political enemies in concrete drums. Voter only resorts to political ends. Apparently Voter has a lot to lose if the Stricklands go on the unemployment lines. Here I thought good solid Republicans wanted less government and didn't like people tied to the political trough. Seems the Stricklands don't know any other employment than government and they sure do know how to milk it for every dime. Then again, maybe the Strickland Republicans only want go cut government funds to the poor. After all, the Stricklands don't see themselves as poor anymore. The government trough has been quite rewarding for these two and their hit man Jose Angeles.
Surfs up and I'll be cathing a few with my good friend Marie at the pier early in the morning.
@Warning - to answer your first question - absolutely the VCRCC would try to take out some Republican school board members - but you need to remember that it is a Strickland organization now, not a Republican organization. Several weeks ago John Walker received his threatening phone call for not endorsing Strickland.
Who did the phone call come from?
They better have unlimited nights and weekends because more names should be coming out soon!
All local Republicans should know that your local central committee is run by vindicative people not interested in good public policy.
This is the election to run them out of there!
Why is Mike Osborn, Chair of the Ventura County Republican Party, paying himself $2500 out of their funds? And why is the local VCRP sending big money to a candidate in Stockton?
The Stockton Republican Central committee just donated $40K to the Strickland campaign. Quid pro quo for the $30K the Ventura Central Committe donated to the Stockton guy?
Is the leadership of the VCRCC compensated from dues or donations?
Why would they donate the same amount of money back and forth? Are they just trying to inflate their numbers to trick reporters?
Do you have links to show they both donated to each other?
So no one is able to show where these supposed 300 names are? The signature section of the petition site still shows only two Pandolfis as having signed up. Beyond the "higher profile" elected officials on the list, where are the hundreds of other names that are supposed to exist? Are there really more than just the sour grapes crew who have been beating by McClintock or the Stricklands in other races and a few school board members?
The Republican Central Committee's Executive Committee is 7 members, including Caucus chairs for each district - should be 10 members (notice Simi, Oxnard and Camarillo have no representation on the Executive Committee).
Do the math. With seven members, a quorum is 4. A majority vote to authorize expenditures is only 3 persons.
Since Osborn and his wife Mary are two of the 3 votes needed to authorize expenditures (the third being Dean Kunicki) they pretty much have a blank check to spend money where and when they want, without needing a vote of the full committee.
This is one of the issues I had with the Republican Central Committee in Ventura County. I voted against giving the Executive Committee this authority. It's a perfect set-up for abuse.
Why do you need more names when you haven't explained the names on the list yet? Are you making an enemies list?
Is it true that you will target a Republican school board member just for endorsing the moderate in this campaign without even looking at their records?
Say hi to Pat and Checkers for me Mr. Nixon!
The Tony Strickland webpage is www.tonystrickland.com and the Hannah Beth Jackson webpage is www.jackson4senate.com. Both have endorsement tabs. They also make statements on issues they feel strongly about. I recommend that the voter being educating him or her self by looking at the web pages and checking them often.
Campaign contributions/expenditures can be found at www.http://cal-access.ss.ca.gov/Campaign/Candidates/
Leslie, your explanation might explain the mass exodus of many of the CC members - didn't agree or didn't want to get caught with their hand in the cookie jar.
I am wondering why Strickland hasn't posted his endorsements yet.
I am also wondering why the supposed Dems for Strickland group hasn't listed any names at all and why their domain name is registered under a service used by people who want to remain anonymous.
Domains by Proxy's motto is "Your identity is nobody's business but ours."
Marie,
It is interesting that Republicans are willing to go on the record opposing Strickland and put their names up for anyone to try to ridicule.
But for some reason almost every pro Strickland supporter doesn't use their real name.
There are many reasons to write under a screen name that I understand, but the disparity between the two sides is hard to explain.
There are many more Prominent Republicans that are in elected office that have endorsed Strickland out of fear of reprisal. When they are in the voting booth they will be endorsing/voting for Hannah-Beth Jackson. I won't out my friends but I am disappointed that they will not stand up for what is right.
They may be in the closet but I have been told by many of them personally that they are disgusted with Strickland and his antics. They are embarassed by how bad Strickland makes Republican's look and taint's their own reputation's. They now fear when they are running and the VCRCC mails membership communications their own reputations will be tainted with Strickland's and the VCRCC dirty money.
It will be interesting to see which elected officials agree to have their campaigns paid for by the VCRCC membership communications. Which Republican leaders will reject having the help of the VCRCC and denounce their tactics. If they don't have the courage then how will they represent us while in office when they are pressured. Strickland/Angeles/Kunicki/Osborn are big bullies and not all that bright. Voters Beware.
If any Republican uses any support from the VCRCC their opponents will be quick to point out that the support comes from tobacco money.
Be warned to not take their dirty money or your campaign will have anti-tobacco activists, Butt Man, and many others pointing it out!
Especially school board candidates. What could be worse for a school board candidate then to take tobacco money?
Some incumbents will reason that they need to remain quiet about Strickland so that they can remain in office and better represent the voters. Those candidates are simply fooling themselves AND the voters, for as last season's county school board elections proved, with the help of those incumbents the voters were not represented at all but ended up getting screwed.
Many of those same incumbents have an opportunity to put all that behind themselves and do the right thing.
Keep dreaming, "I've Got News 4 U." Your band of mysterious Republicans who are going to come out of the closet on election day are non-existent, and you know it.
This must be Katie Teague posting under a pseudonym that she attacks everyone else for doing. What a joke!
Mongo I hope your denial and arrogance is rampant in the minds of the Strickland minions.
Pride comes before the fall.
The Stricklands are like drug addicts when it comes to their campaign contributions and for that reason they remain in denial or they are blatantly arrogant about bamboozling voters. Shame on us!
Their minions Kunicki/Osborn/Angeles/Wangsoporn/Gibson are nursing the Strickland collective teat in their drunken orgy while they pat themselves on the back.
Our community will not live in fear and if the leaders don't take a stand we will vote them out.
Come on fence sitting Republicans come out of the closet and let the voters know "Enough with the dirty Money" you will not bed down with unethical people just to be "elected." Have some dignity!
Why doesn't Strickland have a list of Democrats supporting him?
His opponent has a long list of Republican leaders on her list.
I guess Hannah-Beth Jackson wins this round.
Hannah-Beth can win all the games of self-proclamation she wants. The real question is: Can she win this election?
The smart money (actually all the money), at this point, says she can't. Even the State Democratic Party is lukewarm in their support. They can read the writing on the wall.
Hannah-Beth can win all the games of self-proclamation she wants. The real question is: Can she win this election?
The smart money (actually all the money), at this point, says she can't. Even the State Democratic Party is lukewarm in their support. They can read the writing on the wall.
Entrenched Repubs are losing virtually every race across the country, at all levels, simply because they ARE Republicans and regardless of whether they're good representatives or not. This should be another very close race but don't be surprised if the "Dump the GOP!" trend doesn't bring Strickland's political plans to an abrupt halt.
I wonder if GS maybe right (I personally still support GW) but most voting Republicans have abandoned him.
If I recall, Huffington spent alot of money on his campaign as did the guy in the Bay Area (Urz?). Both lost.
In closely contested races, it isn't necessarily about the money but about the campaign. It should be about the voters and the needs of the district.
I have to say Obama has McCain on the run (which doesn't make this Republican very happy). HB seems to be outcampaigning TS. I think TS has the corner of the self proclamation market. Joel Angeles's implosion and TS's ballot designation as a "alternate energy executive" are minuses. He does seems to have a lock on business concerns though. But the one chamber that awarded his company is headed by a major contributor to his campaign. It will be interesting to see if the other chambers get involved.
The DNC is holding back on the money for HB - which doesn't make sense - I expect that to change. At this point they should support anyone that breathes - too much is riding on this election. But maybe they aren't getting the concessions they want out of her and she doesn't need their help.
The California Association of Political Centrists, along with the Ventura County Star and CLU, will be sponsoring a number of forums. Once again the Ventura County Star will be coming up with the questions and CLU will be moderate the forums.
Obviously, the voting public wants to know how their concerns will be addressed. The candidates both need to speak to the public - their campaigns shouldn't decide the vote - the public should.
I know both candidates agree with me and look foward to participating in the forums. More information including dates will be forthcoming.