The List of Possible Political Drop Outs

With three more days of candidate filing left I thought I would look at the list of candidates who may be rethinking their plans.

Below are individuals who took out signature in-lieu (SIL) forms to lower the cost of the filing fee, but have not yet pulled nomination papers. Nomination papers must be filed to place your name on the ballot.

Maybe they are just waiting until the last minute, but this could also be the first indication of a possible drop out.

Congress
42nd (Gary Miller)
Lee McGroarty-Rep
Louie Contreras-Dem

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

State Assembly
72nd (Chris Norby)
James Gerbus-Rep (pulled, but never returned SIL forms)
Brian Lee Cross-Lib

James Gerbus out of 72nd race? Su out of 42nd race?

This past Thursday was the deadline to file signatures in-lieu (SIL) with County Registrar of Voters. Each signature a candidate receives on these forms lowers the cost of the filing fee required to run for office. While not required, most candidates pick up these forms to not only make their fees cheaper, but to send a message about their support in a district.

There were two candidates in the Three Corners Region that did not return their forms by Thursday. This is a good indication of who may be getting out of a race.

James Gerbus was issued SIL forms for the 72nd Assembly Republican primary on January 8, the first week the forms were available, but never returned them. He was also issued SIL's during the Special Election in which Chris Norby won the Republican nomination, but didn't return those either. So it wouldn't be surprising if he has decided once again not to run for the Assembly. Gerbus, so far, is the only Republican to give any indication of a run against Norby for the Republican nomination. He has not filed any campaign finance paperwork with the California Secretary of State or created a campaign web site.

David Su was issued SIL forms for the 42nd Congressional Republican primary on January 8, but didn't return them. Su has made appearance's at the City Council meetings of Diamond Bar and Chino Hills stating that he was thinking about running against Rep. Gary Miller in the Republican primary. He has not filed any campaign paperwork with the FEC or set up a campaign web site.

Only time will tell if these candidates are in or out, but chances are that they are out.

Norby Wins 72nd

As expected, OC Supervisor Chris Norby won the 72nd Assembly seat last night. With all precincts reporting Norby was leading John MacMurray 62.9 % to 31 %. Green Party candidate Jane Rands received 6.1%.

Norby will be up for election again this June. As of today, Norby may be facing James Gerbus for the Republican nomination. Gerbus pulled Signatures In-Lieu papers last Friday. He also pulled nomination papers for the 72nd Special Election but never returned them.