Interesting Comment: A 42nd Challenger with Baggage?

As some of you know, all comments are moderated before being posted. This morning I received a very interesting comment. I have been debating for several hours what to do with it. Do I ignore it or post it as a comment like the author intended? I decided that it was note worthy but if simply a comment most of our readers would miss it. So I have decided to post it as a story.

The author does not specifically name the candidate, or candidates, that the three questions (which I highlighted) apply to. It could be a primary and/or general election challenger(s) the author is referencing.

Rep. Gary Miller is being challenged in the Republican primary of the 42nd district by Phil Liberatore, Lee McGroarty and David Su. Michael Williamson and Louie Contreras are seeking the Democratic nomination. Mark Lambert is seeking the Libertarian nomination.

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Now that I am retired, I have extra time to research candidates and look carefully at what they are saying and more importantly what is being said about them. With filing nearing a close, I see that the challengers in the 42nd Congressional District are rehashing 4 year old newspaper allegations against Congressman Gary Miller.

Whatever happened to these allegations? I cannot find any public record of any criminal or legal action that stemmed from them. Why in four years has nothing happened? Most likely because the allegations were sensationalized hype churned by overzealous reporters trying to be the next Woodward or Bernstein.

Why are we hearing these same old, unproven stories again?

Do Congressman Miller’s challengers really think that anyone will vote for them simply because they throw rocks and stir up mud?

If I was advising Congressman Miller, and I am not, the first thing that I would do is take a peek at the available public records on these rock-throwing challengers. Some of the questions that I would look into are:

· How many prior elections did these people actually vote in? (Available at the Registrar of Voters)

· How many times were they and their businesses sued? (Available on-line from various background search engines)

· Were they ever subject to disciplinary action or lose a professional license? (Available from the State of California)

Before these kids start yelling how much the room smells, they should check their own diapers and see how full they really are. I’ve taken the time to do a preliminary look into these candidates and I’ve seen what a mess their diapers really are.

For the next few months, I’m going to sit back and watch these children throw rocks at the Congressman and wait. I’ll wait for the Congressman to get tired of this silliness and pick up a few thousand pound boulders and toss them back.

Not only are these challengers backgrounds so littered with dubious behavior, Congressman Miller has a huge campaign warchest to let every voter in the district know everything about his opponents.

Now it’s time to sit back and watch this election unfold.
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42nd Candidate David Su launches web site but...

42nd Congressional candidate David Su has launched his website but currently has nothing on it except a silhouette of an elephant wearing a necklace and visor. With three months until the election it is surprising Su has waited this long to put up a web site.

Su seems to be going for the young Republican vote using the web address younggungop.com.

Su is challenging Rep. Gary Miller for the 42nd Congressional Republican nomination.

Coffee and Conversation with Curt Hagman

Assemblyman Curt Hagman will be hosting an informal discussion over coffee March 6 in four Orange County cities.

10:00am – 10:45am
Red Robin
The Village at Orange
Orange, CA 92865(in the covered, outside patio)

11:00am – 11:45pm
Java Jean Bar
116 S. Fairmont
Anaheim Hills, CA 92808(at Santa Ana Canyon Rd)

12:00pm – 12:45pm
Borders Bookstore
22401 Old Canal Rd
Yorba Linda, CA 92887(on the outside patio)

1:00pm – 1:45pm
Rockwell’s Cafe
17853 Santiago Blvd.
Villa Park, CA 92861(at Ralph’s Center)

For more information contact Hagman's office at (909) 627–7021.

Frank Pastore Endorses Liberatore in 42nd

Phil Liberatore's campaign site has announced the endorsement of KKLA Talk Show host Frank Pastore. Pastore, a former Major League Pitcher, has hosted the Frank Pastore Show since 2004.

"I’m thrilled to endorse my friend Phil Liberatore for Congress. Especially these days, we need men and women of not only honor, character, and integrity to run for political office, but men and women who have the right values when it comes to family, limited government, fiscal responsibility, and strong national security. Phil is one of the most beloved employers in Southern California, not just by other business leaders, but by his employees, both current and former. I think the 42nd Congressional District deserves a truly conservative candidate who will serve them well in Washington, D.C. Phil is such a man."

Liberatore is challenging Rep. Gary Miller for the Republican nomination in the 42nd Congressional district.

42nd Congressional Candidate David Su Launches Facebook Page

42nd Congressional Republican candidate David Su has launched a campaign facebook page. He currently does not have a campaign web site.

He currently has 23 fans, 4 more than fellow 42nd Republican candidate Lee McGroarty's campaign facebook page, but 500 less than 42nd Republican candidate Phil Liberatore's campaign facebook page.

Most Read Stories of February

1. Conservative Party Endorses in 42nd Republican Party Primary?
2. More on Liberatore Jumping into 42nd Race
3. 42nd Congressional Candidate David Su speaks at Chino Hills Council
4. Daily Bulletin forgets about Phil Liberatore, David Su and Michael Bryant?
5. Liberatore Uses Book Endorsements for Campaign?

Most Read Stories: Week of Feb 22-28

1. Top Political Facebook Pages from Three Corners Area
2. Norma Torres Draws Republican Challenger
3. Liberatore Launches Online Campaign Ad
4. 42nd Candidates on Birthright Citizenship
5. 42nd Congressional Candidate David Su speaks at Chino Hills Council

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.

Norma Torres Draws Republican Challenger

Assemblywoman Norma Torres has drawn a Republican challenger. Ray Moors, owner of Joey's B-B-Q, pulled nomination papers today from the San Bernardino County Registrar of Voters. Filing these nomination papers would place Moors on the June primary ballot.

Torres has not yet pulled nomination papers but she is expected to seek re-election. Her most recent campaign finance reports showed Torres had about $150,000 cash on hand. If able to raise funds Moors could be a very competitive challenger for Torres.

Liberatore Launches Online Campaign Ad

The campaign of 42nd Congressional candidate Philip Liberatore has launched an online campaign ad. Titled, "Real Solutions for Real People," it runs nearly 3 minutes and introduces Liberatore, his reasons for running and his qualifications.

Liberatore is seeking the Republican nomination for the 42nd Congressional seat. He faces Rep. Gary Miller, David Su and Lee McGroarty.

Most Read Stories: Week of Feb 15-21

1. More on Liberatore Jumping into 42nd Race
2. 42nd Candidates on Birthright Citizenship
3. A Ban on a College Tuition Break for Illegal Immigrants?
4. McGroarty campaign website runs false support list?
5. Local Members of Congress on Birthright Citizenship

Top Political Facebook Pages from Three Corners Area

Below are the top Facebook State and Federal political pages for the Three Corners area, as of tonight.

1. Bob Huff, currently 1,431 friends
2. Curt Hagman, currently 782 friends
3. Liberatore for Congress 42nd District CA, 320 fans
4. Chris Norby, 239 friends
5. Gary Miller, 160 fans (Note: Doesn't appear to be controlled by Miller)
6. Earl De Vries, 144 friends
7. The Next Generation for Phil Liberatore, 139 members
8. Norma Torres for California State Assembly, 98 members (Note: Doesn't appear to be controlled by Torres)
9. Jane Rands Green for State Assembly, 93 members
10. Recall Bob Huff, 25 members
11. Lee McGroarty for Congress, 17 fans

I searched for all active candidates but if I missed one please let me know and I will add it.

Candidate Filing: Week 1 Update

It was a slow start to the first official week of candidate filing for state and federal offices. Only three candidates from the Three Corners region have started the nomination filing process. The process involves paying the filing fee, gathering enough nomination signatures and filling forms that officially place a candidate on the ballot.

Those beginning the nomination process are Assemblyman Chris Norby (72nd Assembly seat), Senator Gloria Negrete McLeod (32nd Senate Seat) and Michael Williamson (42nd Congressional).

Signatures gathered on Signatures in-lieu forms apply to the nomination signatures required. Our most recent signatures in-lieu update provides the names of those that gathered signatures in-lieu. It is not necessary to gather these signatures but most candidates do. So far, Assemblyman Norby is the only candidate that did not.

Liberatore Campaign Kick Off this Sunday

Congressional candidate Philip Liberatore will be hosting his campaign Kick-Off Reception this Sunday, February 21, at 2pm. Contact the campaign at (714) 310-3062 for more information.

Liberatore is challenging Rep. Gary Miller for the Republican nomination in the 42nd Congressional district.

Orange County Group offers Scorecard on Local Officials

Liberty First has created a scorecard for city councilmembers and County Supervisors in Orange County. Officials are rated on three categories; freedoms/good governance, fiscal issues, and property rights.

H/T to Chris Emami at Red County.

Note: When looking at the scores remember that we don't know the motive behind the scorecard, who is paying for it or why certain votes were scored.

A Ban on a College Tuition Break for Illegal Immigrants?

Yesterday we posted a story about the Daily Bulletin's article on legislation co-sponsored by Rep. Gary Miller and Buck McKeon to ban automatic citizenship for children born to illegal immigrants. We also posted a story on the positions of the 42nd Republican Congressional candidates on the issue.

The Daily Bulletin has another article on another piece of pending legislation in Congress dealing with illegal immigration. The bill, supported by Rep. Buck McKeon and Gary Miller, would ban illegal immigrants from receiving in-state college tuition. California allows illegal immigrants to receive in-state tuition.

Rep. Miller told the Daily Bulletin,"You're telling me somebody who is an American citizen, was born here and parents pay taxes has to pay more than somebody here illegally. That's not right. We have a shortage of space for many students and you have limited dollars. With the dollars available, they should first be applied to people that are legally in this country and are citizens."

As I did for yesterday's post I will list the position of the other candidates for the 42nd Congressional race.

Rep. Gary Miller opposes in-state tuition for illegals, as is noted above.

David Su does not have a website or way to find out his position.

Lee McGroarty does not specifically address the issue in his immigration section. However in discussing what to do with the illegal immigrants already here, he proposes a program that would allow them to stay in the country. While in the program they would have to adhere to certain standards including, "No welfare programs or government assistance available while in program."

Philip Liberatore does not mention the issue of illegal immigration on his site.

Michael Williamson does not state a specific position but does mention the issue on his site under the immigration section. "Michael Williamson, a front line criminal justice professional has seen the streets of Los Angeles invaded by illegal aliens who have enjoyed the sanctuary protection of Special Order 40, taxpayer paid in-state school tuition for illegal migrants, and government acceptance of the sham matricula consular identification cards from Mexico."

Louie Contreras does not currently have a campaign web site.

Most Read Stories: Week of Feb 8-14

1. More on Liberatore Jumping into 42nd Race
2. Liberatore Uses Book Endorsements for Campaign?
3. Daily Bulletin forgets about Phil Liberatore, David Su and Michael Bryant?
4. Orange County Register: Running for Congress costs a million
5. McGroarty campaign website runs false support list?

42nd Candidates on Birthright Citizenship

As we posted earlier, the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin wrote an article on the position of local Member of Congress on Birthright Citizenship when it comes to illegal immigration.

I thought I would see if any of the 42nd Congressional candidates have a position on this important.

Obviously Rep. Gary Miller opposes automatic citizenship for children of illegal immigrants since he is a co-sponsor of the bill that would clarify the 14th Amendment. That clarification would ban automatic citizenship for children born to parents illegally in the United States.

David Su does not have a web site yet, so we can't find out his position.

Philip Liberatore does not address his positions on illegal immigration on his web site.

Lee McGroarty's section on immigration says,"Children born in the United States are citizens under the Constitution. However, those not born here and are under this program will not benefit from any public assistance." (The second sentence seems to be missing a word, but I copied the quote just like it is on the web site).

Local Members of Congress on Birthright Citizenship

The Daily Bulletin has an article written by Stephen Wall about efforts by two local Congressman to clarify the 14th Amendment when it comes to immigration, effectively banning automatic citizenship for children of illegal aliens. It allows us to see where our elected officials stand on this important issue.

Rep. Gary Miller, a co-sponsor, addressing the costs of automatic citizenship says, "You have many people coming to this country illegally. They come to this country and have babies. The children are citizens. The children are eligible to go to school. They receive food stamps and social programs. The American taxpayers are paying for it."

Rep. Joe Baca calls the bill "unconstitutional."

Rep. Grace Napolitano declined comment on the bill.

Rep. Buck McKeon, a co-sponsor who represents portions of San Bernardino County, addressing the need for the bill says, "There's an incentive for people to come here and quickly have a baby. Since the baby is a citizen, it's harder to send the family back to where they came from if they came illegally. Now you have a citizen and it would split up the family."

Rep. Jerry Lewis, according to the article, has not yet taken a position on the bill.

Read the article for more comments including comment from Rep. David Dreier's office, and more from Rep. Baca, Miller and McKeon.

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.