With redistricting for Congressional seats settled (barring a court challenge) candidates are starting to declare for 2012. On the Republican side Rep. Elton Gallegly is adding to the rumors that often come up that he is retiring by not making his intentions known and by not holding town hall meetings. I'm sure Linda Parks, Jeff Gorell, Tony Strickland, and Buck McKeon would be very interested in his plans.
The new district is most of Ventura County, except for large parts of Simi Valley. In 2008 Barack Obama won Ventura County and that was with Simi Valley included. This new district leans Democrats.
Click here for the new State Assembly, State Senate, and House of Representatives district lines.
Democrats have two announced candidates. David Pollock and David Cruz Thayne. I will post my thoughts on David Pollock later.
David Cruz Thayne is mostly unknown by local Democratic Party officials and activists. His website says he is a former professional tennis player and has pictures of him with Democratic Party leaders including Bill Clinton and Ted Kennedy.
Left leaning blog The Ojai Post has an entry that is critical for David Cruz Thayne being so mysterious.
With so little know about him here are my quick thoughts:
He has hired legendary and controversial political consultant Garry South. His campaign wouldn't be getting nearly as much attention if he hadn't hired a top consultant.
He doesn't have a long record of positions open to criticism.
He can run as an outsider.
He will need to put large amounts of energy into connecting with party activists to earn their support.
He hasn't been elected to any elected office.
Not sure what his ballot designation could legitimately be. If he coaches tennis is he going to go with the vague title of "educator" as many candidates do?
What are your thoughts? What candidates would you like to see run?
I would like to meet David. phone 805-377-6357
I have met David Cruz Thayne at two events and I can say he has many things going for him. First, he is new to the political scene and that in itself is a breath of fresh air.
Second, he is not beholden to anyone and when elected, he will do what's right for his constituents, for his district as a whole, and for the nation, as part of a new Democratic majority in the House.
Third, he has a strong team behind him and has the best chance of defeating his Republican "do-nothing" opponent.
Finally, he's a straight-shooter --- he tells it like it is and is always available and open to suggestion.