Jeff Gorell is wasting no time getting ready to run for termed out State Assembly Member Audra Strickland's seat in 2010. I don't know enough about him yet but if he can show he can compromise in the state legislature and get bills passed that will show to many people he is a break with the current crop of Ventura County Republican leaders. Have you seen the articles about Audra Strickland's and Tom McClintock's inability to get anything done in the state legislature?
His reason in starting his campaign so early is that:
Organizing an effective campaign now will enable Jeff to "clear the field" so he can avoid a divisive, contested June primary election and focus his resources on winning the all-important November 2010 election.
So far it seemed like the safe bet as he already has endorsements from Simi Valley city council members and many others that want to help in discouraging anyone to challenge him in the primary.
I have plenty of questions for Jeff Gorell to understand what type of Republican he is more.
With about two years to go we have the time. I remember from his last run against Audra Strickland that he seemed to be an Arnold Schwarzenegger type Republican.
1. Does Jeff Gorell support civil unions? Many conservatives, like Tony Strickland, opposed them because they thought they would lead the way for gay marriage. How would have Jeff Gorell voted on the law that created civil unions in California?
2. Would Jeff Gorell sign Grover Norquist's no new tax pledge or is he open to raising taxes like the governor or the Democratically controlled legislature?
3. Who, if anyone, did he support in the Republican primaries for president this year?
If you know the answer to these questions, please let us all know.
Insider Newsletter
November 2008 Vol 1, Issue 2
Greetings!
The Jeff Gorell for Assembly 2010 Campaign will be kicking off an early start. By doing so, the committee hopes to build the momentum necessary to avoid a divisive, protracted and expensive election next year and into 2010. And the committee needs your help to unify the party and the community around common values and strong leadership offered by this candidate.
Campaign Kickoff Fundraiser & Holiday Party!
tPlease join us for the Campaign Kickoff and Holiday Party
December 4, 2008
6 pm
At the home of Frank and Sharon Visco
at Lake Sherwood
Special Guests of Honor include:
* State Senator George Runner, Senate Republican Caucus Chair
* Host Committee Chair: Assemblyman Michael Villines, Assembly Republican Leader
* Assemblyman Cameron Smyth
Event Sponsored by the Ventura County Lincoln Club
To RSVP, please contact the campaign at info@jeffgorell.org or (805) 299-2396.
You can also RSVP online via the donation website at here. Thank you!
$125 per person
In This Issue
Kickoff Fundraiser Party Set!
The Consultant's Corner
Contact
P.O. Box 1378
Camarillo, CA 93011
(805) 299-2396
Fax (805) 299-4499
Website:
www.jeffgorell.org
Emails:
info@jeffgorell.org
jeff@jeffgorell.org
The Consultant's Corner -- "So, Why the Early Start?"
"So Why the Early Start?"
by Chris Jones
Navy Reserve PromotionTo many, it may seem early for Jeff to begin his campaign. But it's not.
The 37th Assembly District promises to be a prime election battleground in 2010. That's why is has become vital that Jeff's committee begin preparations early by raising funds and securing endorsements for his candidacy. He and his committee have already begun to do so with great success.
Because of his background and vision, Jeff is in a unique position to unite the party and the local community. Organizing an effective campaign now will enable Jeff to "clear the field" so he can avoid a divisive, contested June primary election and focus his resources on winning the all-important November 2010 election.
(Chris Jones is chief consultant and strategist for Jeff Gorell for Assembly 2010)
Campaign Receives New Major Endorsement
The Ventura County Lincoln Club endorsed Jeff Gorell for State Assembly 2010 adding to the growing number of community organizations and individual leaders who are jumping in early to support Jeff Gorell. The Lincoln Club is added to the followng (partial) endorsement list:
Former California Governor Pete Wilson
Ventura County Supervisor Peter C. Foy
Ventura County District Attorney Gregory D. Totten
Ventura County Sheriff Bob Brooks
Retired U.S. Congressman Robert John "Bob" Lagomarsino
Ventura County Treasurer and Tax Collector Lawrence L. Matheney
Mayor of the City of Simi Valley Paul Miller
Mayor of the City of Thousand Oaks Jacqui V. Irwin
Mayor of the City of Camarillo Charlotte Craven
Mayor of the City of Santa Paula Bob Gonzales
Mayor of the City of Ojai Sue Horgan
Mayor Pro Tem of the City of Ojai Joe DeVito
Mayor Pro Tem of the City of Thousand Oaks Thomas P. Glancy
Mayor Pro Tem of the City of Fillmore Cecilia Cuevas
Mayor Emeritus of the City of Camarillo Stan J. Daily
Thousand Oaks City Councilman Dennis C. Gillette
Camarillo City Councilman Mike Morgan
Simi Valley City Councilman Glen T. Becerra
Simi Valley City Councilman Steven T. Sojka
Simi Valley City Councilwoman Barbra Williamson
Ventura County Fire Chief Bob Roper
Ventura City Councilmember James L. Monahan
Former California State Assembly Member Keith Richman
Former Mayor of Fillmore Ernie Villegas
Former Mayor of Camarillo Ron McConville
Former Mayor of the City of Port Hueneme Tony Volante
Former Mayor Pro Tem of the City of Westlake Village Jim Bruno
Former Chairman of the California Republican Party Frank A. Visco
Former State Assembly Member & Oxnard Harbor Commissioner Nao Takasugi
Oxnard Harbor District Commissioner Ray Fosse
Board Member, Conejo Valley Recreation and Park District Joe Gibson
Chair, Thousand Oaks City Planning Commission Daryl Reynolds
Vice Chair, Conejo Valley Recreation and Park District Susan Holt
Ranch Simi Recreation and Park District Director Elaine Freeman
Conejo Valley Unified School District Board Member Dolores Didio
Pleasant Valley Mutual Water District Trustee Dr. Jon Williams
Casitas Municipal Water District Trustee Bill Hicks
President of Ventura County Agricultural Association Rob Roy
Jeff Promoted to Lt. Commander in Navy Reserve
Jeff Gorell Navy Promotion
Jeff was recently promoted to Lt. Commander at a small ceremony outside the Camarillo Chamber of Commerce. Jeff is a third generation navyman, veteran of the War in Afghanistan, and currently serves as an intelligence officer in the Navy Reserve. He was joined at the "wetting down" ceremony by his wife Laura, his six-year-old step-daughter Ashley and dozens of friends and family members.
Please consider forwarding this email newsletter to your friends and family in the community and asking them to sign up for more information about the campaign. Thank you for your interest and support.
Sincerely,
Campaign Committee
Jeff Gorell for Assembly 2010
I met Jeff a few years back when he was running against Audra Strickland. He's a stuffed shirt and a right winger for sure. I'm a Republican that voted for Audra and his campaign was full of lies against Audra. The fact that he has now kissed TS's A__, doesn't make me feel like he should represent us. He's a typical politician. I understand there are at least 3 other Republicans that want to run for Audra's seat. I'll wait to see if they enter because Jeff is a no in my book.
I walked for Jeff when he ran against Audra. If he doesn't have the huevos to take her on during the last election then he probably doesn't have what it takes in Sac.
Are Audra's balls bigger than Jeff's?
He was known as a not-too-sharp Deputy D.A. and a very boring right winger as well. He kissed Tony's butt and now wants a free pass to the Assembly. I'd support just about any Republican over Gorell.
I remember his assembly race very well and he was the most moderate and the most responsive of the three. He was pro-choice at the time. It was very ugly between Mike Robinson and Audra Strickland - lots of mailers - but I think Jeff was out of the fray. He did very, very well on the day of the election but lost by a couple hundred of votes with the Absentee Ballots.
His endorsers are right-wingers and moderates - don't see any Dems listed as of yet. He wasn't listed on Strickland's endorsement page but he did hold a fundraiser for him.
I don't think he is a right-winger but some of his guests of honor are - I think I'll sit this fundraiser out!
Jeff would probably be very competent in Sac or even DC but he has to avoid drinking the kool-aid. I am hopeful this will happen.
Gorell critics,
From what I remember he was the moderate in the three way race, not exactly a right winger. If you have something more specific than a few buzzwords to throw out there, like a particular statement or policy position, then post it.
Katie, did he earn your vote last time?
I don't remember Jeff Gorell's campaign being overly compelling, but I think that's because the Mike Robinson/Audra Strickland fight drew so much more attention. I was actually approached to design the website for Mike Robinson early on before things heated up and I knew it was going to get interesting. Nevertheless, if memory serves, Gorell ranked second in number of votes for that election (I could be wrong). I haven't followed his career since, however.
Brian, yes he did.
Here are the results from the 2004 Republican Primary election:
AUDRA STRICKLAND 15,463 35.0%
JEFF GORELL 14,519 32.9%
MIKE ROBINSON 13,134 29.8%
ERIC MCCLENDON 873 2.0%
Write-in candidate(s) 143 0.3%
David T,
Yeah that's what I thought. He's got an impressive list of supporters as well. I'll bet he's in there in 2010.
Jeff better not get the VCRCC endorsement - they had virtually a 100% failure on the non-incumbent endorsements. Bryan McDonald might squeak by on the Oxnard City Council and that's it.
Jeff Gorell has an excellent Facebook page, one of the best I've seen for a politician:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jeff-Gorell-For-Assembly-2010/12909833682
I lost all respect for Jeff when he supported Keith Richman's pension initiative that would have taken survivor benefits from the families of fallen police and firefighters.
Interesting that the Stricklands won't endorse Gorell. I wonder if they have someone else in mind for that seat.
Just a couple things to say -
First, I know for certain that Jeff will make a great Assembly Member and I look forward to helping him in 2010 while making sure Cameron is re-elected to a third term.
Second, I would not be doing my job if I did not mention that as a freshman Republican Cameron successfully authored twelve pieces of legislation through the Democrat controlled Legislature during his first two years in office, including the Surrogate Stalker Act, a sweeping bi-partisan ADA reform measure, and legislation that secured the right of homeowners living in HOA’s to install solar on their homes. Cameron also looked out for his district by getting the Simi Cemetery Bill passed and created a new vision for the much maligned Rocketdyne property by introducing legislation to turn the property into a state-park, preserving critical wildlife corridors and creating new recreational opportunities for the area. As you can see, in his brief two years in the Assembly, Cameron has proven to be an effective legislator with a positive reputation with his Democrat colleagues. When talking about the Ventura County Delegation, please keep this mind.
Jarrod, but according to the Strickland lovers it is impossible to get any legislation passed because of the Dems. I hear it all the time.
Why hasn't Elton endorsed Jeff? What do he and the Stricklands know or have in mind? Please don't tell me it is Mike Stoker.
Stoker? Gimme a break.
Besides, he will take over the same position for Tony Strickland as he had for McClintock in Sta. Barbara County, while he waits for Elton to step down. He wants to be a congressman so bad it hurts.
That is interesting information you brought up Jarrod - so it is possible for a Republican assembly person to pass Legislation. What part of Ventura County does Cameron represent? What will happen re: redistricting in 2010? Is his slice of Ventura County going to be cut out? What will happen to Jeff's area? Or does Prop 11 go into effect after 2010?
I don't recall Jeff Gorell supporting all of the pension reform ideas. Does somebody have a link to read more about that issue?
Cameron Smythe will have a shot at one more term in two years in the same district. Click on my name and that should take you to a map of the district. I would look for him to run for George Runner's Senate seat next. As former mayor of Santa Clarita and former president of the huge Chamber of Commerce, he is well suited for the district and has business and political savvy beyond his years. That has made him an effective Republican in a a Democratic legislature.
Redistricting will take place after the 2010 census, so the new districts won't appear for Assembly seats for that election. It will be interesting to see what happens when the new districts are drawn, because they are not supposed to give weight or priority to existing legislators and their place of residence. Were Jeff Gorell to win in 2010, he might find himself in another district for the 2012 election!
I do not know this fellow, but declaring for the term that will starts before the next one has even started has the look of:
a.) incredible naiveity
b.) a stalking horse
c.) inside information on a pending vacancy
d.) ___________________________________
"Ya pays your money and you takes your choice."
Simon, that's nonsense. He's starting early to raise money early.
So far, the campaign looks pretty strong.
Gorrell also appears to be getting some early flak on this blog, which usually means he's got a really good shot at winning.
Ha ha! So true.
The way registration numbers are changing and the way the GOP is shrinking their tent it could be that the 37th is a blue district in two years. Had the dems put money in earlier Masry would have beaten do-nothing Audra. As it was she barely lost.
Scott,
I agree he has a strong shot if that wasn't clear in my writing. I am going to take your statement to mean that some of the comments were critical of him.
Is he the type of moderate Republican you would like to see elected?
It would be interesting to know how he answers to the question, "Are you pro choice?"
This is not the defining issue of out current political times, because the economy and taxes ace that any day. But, Gorell stated many times in early years that he was pro choice. Will he cater to the right wing in order to gather the "base" of support of the party (a la McCain), will he find a middle ground (if there is such a thing), or will he speak openly about his position.
His answers will display his frankness (or lack there-of)and also something of his strategy.
If he is still pro-choice, will the Stricklands or Foy or the Mormons feel obligated to recruit a socially conservative challenger?
I sure hope we Republcans have a choice during the primary in just under two years. I would hate to think that Gorell's jumping in this so soon will preclude others from considering a run for the Republican nomination.
I also think it is quite funny that so many would endorse Jeff so soon, not knowing who else may be considering a run for this office. We have a number of local elected officials and civic leaders that have as much if not more to offer than Jeff. Wouldn't it be great to have to make a choice. Lets not settle on a single candidate so far in advance of the election cycle.