95 percent accurate*
The Ventura County Star's Sacramento Bureau Chief Timm Herdt on state issues and politics from Sacramento to Ventura County. He can be contacted at therdt@venturacountystar.com.
The Ventura County Star's Sacramento Bureau Chief Timm Herdt on state issues and politics from Sacramento to Ventura County. He can be contacted at therdt@venturacountystar.com.
Rumors abound that there will be a post-primary revolt in the Ventura County Republican Central Committee, with a move afoot to oust five-year party chairwoman Leslie Cornejo as payback for her endorsement of challenger Michael Tenenbaum over 10-term incumbent Elton Gallegly in the 24th Congressional District GOP primary.
Cornejo's tenure has brought an era of stability and professionalism to a party committee that had been previously wrought with ideological strife and power struggles between social conservatives and moderates. Cornejo, from the moderate wing, has managed to move the central committee beyond ideology and allowed it to regain its focus on the nuts-and-bolts of electoral politics: raising money, organizing volunteers and registering voters. Under her direction, the party has hired an executive director and opened multiple offices during campaign seasons. Last fall, Ventura County was one of the few Republican-dominated counties to deliver for Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's failed special election ballot initiatives. For its efforts, the county party was singled out by state party leaders.
But Cornejo's endorsement of Tenenbaum over a sitting Republican congressman has been too much even for some of her moderate allies to take. There is talk of removing her from the leadership post when the committee meets in late June, its first meeting after the primary election.
Gallegly has many allies on the Central Committee, including Clark Johnson, whose wife is the congressman's campaign manager; Peggy Sadler, a long-time friend dating back to Gallegly's days on the Simi Valley City Council; and ex officio alternate member Brian Miller, the congressman's popular and able district staff chief.
Cornejo endorsed Tenenbaum during the uncertain weekend following Gallegly's retirement announcement on Friday, March 10, and his change-of-heart the following Wednesday, after it had become clear there was no way he could have his name removed from the ballot and that there could be no extension of the filing period to allow other potential candidates to come forward.
Although others, including committeeman David Tennessen, also endorsed Tenenbaum over that weekend, they rescinded their endorsements after Gallegy re-entered. Cornejo stuck by her decision, although she says she has done nothing on Tenenbaum's behalf since.
Sources say Gallegly himself is not orchestrating the coup, but that the effort has developed powerful momentum. "The endorsement has broken up her coalition," said one committee member, who asked not to be named. "She's going to get removed. It's absolutely going to happen."
Cornejo's plans are to voluntarily step down at the end of the year, believing that five years at the helm are quite enough. A leadership revolt between the primary and the general election, she believes, would not be in the party's interest as it gears up for a fall election that promises to be difficult for Republicans nationwide.
Posted by Timm Herdt at May 16, 2006 9:26 AMMr. Herdt,
This is the first time I've posted here. Thought you'd like to see what I just wrote supporting Leslie Cornejo in Brian Dennert's site under the Chicken Suit story.
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"We Ventura County Republicans are certainly not shredding apart our party just because of some healthy competition. We do not "eat our young" like the local DEMs. And Leslie Cornejo has the admiration of thousands of Republicans who appreciate her dedication and her skill at running the County meetings with polish. Republicans are the Law and Order people and we like our meetings to be civil and efficient and run in accordance with the classic Roberts Rules of Order. Leslie is a master of traditional parliamentary procedure, the secret ingredient which aids our party tremendously. The County meetings are well attended and jam packed with information, thanks to Leslie and her staff. And THAT'S why our disciplined Party comes out on top at every Ventura election."
(Posted on Brian Dennert's website by:
Cathy Carlson at May 16, 2006 08:04 PM
I guess Elton will have much more time for things like personal vendettas once Tenenbaum throws him out of office. It's garbage like the described situation that show exactly why we should toss the bum out.
Posted by: Dane Wisher at May 17, 2006 8:23 AMI am in the latter part of my second term on the Republican Central Committee. There is not a person who has met me that will walk away believing I am anything but a conservative, through and through. With that said, I am publicly stating my unequivocal support of Leslie Cornejo in her roll as the Chair of our County Republican Party.
I have consistently found that she stays above the fray on ideologically focused battles. Leslie understands the focus of the party is to implement the plan to register Republicans, to get out the vote and to facilitate a permanent structure to be able to do this election cycle after election cycle. She has personal views but she knows that it is up to the candidate to define their ideology.
I have spoken personally with Congressman Gallegly about the Republican Central Committee. He has assured me that he has no interest in initiating or supporting a move to oust Cornejo as our County Chair. He knows, as should everyone else, that we will have our organizational meeting in December. At that point, the voting members of the Ventura County Republican Central Committee will have their choice for the officers of the local party, inclusive of the Chair.
The anonymous assertion from a member of the Central Committee that, "She's going to get removed. It's absolutely going to happen,” may be overly optimistic. I think that cooler heads will prevail and people will place the well being of the party above any personal vendettas. Leslie and I may have some minor differences of opinion, but I have the utmost respect for her in her actions as our County Chair.
Mr. Herdt,
I want to commend you for your astute analysis of Leslie Cornejo's leadership qualities as the Chair of our VCRCC. I have served with Leslie on the VCRCC for almost two years now, as well as the VCLC for sometime now. As Chair of the VCRCC she has successfully melded both factions within the VCRCC - Conservatives and Moderates. This cohesiveness is the reason for the many accomplishments and achievements of the VCRCC under her tutelage. I have no idea if this current petty and nasty attempt at a "coup" will be successful. I do know these bullies have brought undeserved embarassment and attention to the entire VCRCC. Is it no wonder good and decent people shy away from becoming involved in politics? Truly it is so much easier to simply write a check and leave the opportunity to subject one's self to unnecessary disparagement behind.
Alexandra M. Dymond
Posted by: Alexandra Dymond at May 17, 2006 1:56 PMLeslie Cornejo's able leadership of the Central Committee was one of the main reasons I felt comfortable leaving the committee in order to concentrate on Lincoln Club activities. Under her direction, the committee has been able to concentrate on its core functions of registering Republicans and getting them to the polls. While I am a Gallegly supporter, I certainly have no animosity toward anyone who supports any other Republican candidate. This is not the time to fight among ourselves and I urge everyone involved to take a step back and elect officers to the Central Committee who will promote continued smooth operation.
Posted by: Karen Kurta at May 17, 2006 1:58 PMLeslie Cornejo's competence, courage and integrity are beyond question. She is a principled individual and graceful leader whom I am proud to know.
Posted by: Amy W. Lyons at May 17, 2006 4:14 PMThe VCRCC shouldn't throw people out of their club for having integrity. Leslie Cornejo is better off without them.
Posted by: Michael Stein at August 19, 2007 11:51 PM