( Video of Scott Wilk speaking to Ventura County Republicans. Ventura County Republicans support Scott Wilk.)
The Santa Clarita Republican Assembly, a conservative grassroots group, held a straw poll for the new 38th Assembly District.
Republican Scott Wilk easily won the poll with the most votes. But what surprised me is that Democrat Edward Headington won 2nd place!
Seems Patricia Scott is highly unpopular with grassroots activists. I wonder if the money Buck McKeon raises for her will overcome the antipathy from her own party.
Congratulations Edward McKeon and Scott Wilk.
Thanks for the mention Brian. To be perfectly honest, I didn't realize I was under consideration at the GOP Straw Poll so I appreciate what looks like strong cross-over support.
That Scott did well is not surprising given that he was promoting the straw poll and also has be angling for this seat since Smyth joined the Legislature. And that's not meant as a dig--more of an observation that he's been working some of these political vineyards longer and a little harder. And I congratulate him on the 1st place finish.
What will be interesting to see is how the McKeon Rose Garden strategy plays out. It might be enough to get her through the primary given her surname and money, but at some point--as Rick Bennett pointed out in a recent Letter to the Editor (http://www.38edheads.com/2012/03/bennett-on-what-should-really-matter.html), you have to talk to folks about your platform, qualifications, ideals and values.
I think that Strickland is a factor as well (also) because of his surname and record of community involvement and willingness to engage.