Candidate Filing Begins Tuesday

Federal and State candidate filing begins on Tuesday. Monday was to be the official start but the Presidents Day holiday moved it until Tuesday.

Candidates for office must return nomination papers and pay the filing fee by March 12. Candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives, State Senate and State Assembly must have 40 valid nomination signatures. The filing fee for the U.S. House is $1,740. The filing fee for the State Legislature is $952.91.

Candidates can offset the filing fee by collecting signatures in-lieu. The signature in-lieu forms have been available since January 4 and are due by February 25. We explained more about the signature in-lieu process in early January.

Congresswoman Diane Watson to Retire

CQ is reporting that Los Angeles area Rep. Diane Watson will not be running for reelection this year. Watson won election to Congress in 2001.

Two Democrats and two Republicans had already declared for the seat, but the Watson retirement should bring several more candidates. Karen Bass, former Assembly Speaker, is rumored as a possible candidate.

UPDATE: Politico is reporting that Watson has scheduled a 10a.m. press conference.

More on Earl De Vries entering 32nd Senate Race

As we reported yesterday, Earl De Vries, has pulled signatures in-lieu papers for the 32nd Senate race. The seat is currently held by Democrat Gloria Negrete McLeod.

Earl is involved with the San Bernardino County Republican Party and California Republican Assembly (CRA).

Earl was elected to the San Bernardino County Republican Central Committee Central Committee in 2008. He is the President of the West Valley CRA and 32nd Senate District Deputy Director on the CRA's Board of Directors.

In 1994 he won the Republican nomination for the 32nd Senate district. He was defeated in the General Election by Ruben Ayala 60.7% to 39.3%.

Tuesday, February 9 Filing Update

List of those that have begun the filing process as of 6:00 pm.

Earl De Vries, the 1994 32nd Senate district Republican nominee, pulled signatures in-lieu today for the 32nd Senate seat currently held by Gloria Negrete McLeod.

Congress
42nd (Gary Miller)
Gary Miller-Rep
Lee McGroarty-Rep
David Su-Rep
Philip Liberatore-Rep
Louie Contreras-Dem
Michael Williamson-Dem
Mark Lambert-Lib

State Senate
32nd (Gloria Negrete McLeod)
Gloria Negrete McLeod-Dem
Michael Bryant-Rep
Earl De Vries-Rep

State Assembly
60th (Curt Hagman)
Curt Hagman-Rep

61th (Norma Torres)
None

72nd (Chris Norby)
Brian Lee Cross-Lib
James Gerbus-Rep
Jane Rands-Green

We will post an update when new candidates have pulled signatures in-lieu papers.

Chris Norby's Assembly Web Site Active

The web site of Assemblyman Chris Norby is now active, but doesn't have much on it yet.

Most Read Stories: Week of Feb. 1-7

1. Liberatore Uses Book Endorsements for Campaign?
2. Conservative Party Endorses in 42nd Republican Party Primary?
3. Conservative Party Pledge signed by McGroarty
4. Lee McGroarty, Gary Miller announce Fundraising totals
5. More on Liberatore Jumping into 42nd Race