Sen. Gloria Negrete McLeod removed as Committee Chair

Senate leader Darrell Steinberg announced yesterday that he was replacing State Senator Gloria Negrete McLeod as Chair of the Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee. Sen. Curren Price Jr. (D-Inglewood) will be the new Chair.

McLeod told the LA Times, "It's the prerogative of the pro tem to appoint who he wants. I just wish I had gotten a heads-up.''

Election Results: All Three Corners Incumbents Reelected

From the Secretary of State (100% of precincts reporting):

42nd Congressional District
Gary Miller (R) 61.8%
Mark Lambert (L) 5.9%
Michael Williamson (D) 32.3

32nd State Senate
Gloria Negrete McLeod (D) 68%
Earl De Vries (R) 32%

60th Assembly
Curt Hagman (R) 64.8%
Gregg Fritchle (D) 35.2%

61st Assembly
Norma Torres (D) 60.8%
Ray Moors (R) 39.2%

72nd Assembly
Chris Norby (R) 62.3%
Jane Rands (G) 6.0%
Esiquio Ramos Uballe (D) 31.7%

Press Enterprise looks at 32nd Senate Race

The Press Enterprise took a look at the 32nd Senate race between Democratic Senator Gloria Negrete McLeod and Republican Earl De Vries in today's paper.

One part of the article discussed the political leanings of the district.

"The district is overwhelmingly Democratic, having preferred Barack Obama by 38 points over John McCain two years ago. But it also has a socially conservative streak; Prop. 8, the narrowly approved 2008 measure that banned same-sex marriage, passed with two-thirds of the vote in the 32nd."

32nd Senate Candidate Earl De Vries launches web site

Earl De Vries, Republican candidate in the 32nd State Senate district has a campaign website.

De Vries is challenging Democratic Senator Gloria Negrete McLeod in the November General Election.

Candidate for State Office but no Campaign Web Site

With the primary election over and the General Election less than four months until the election there are two candidates who appear not to have campaign web sites. Campaign sites can be one of the most important tools for a candidate to communicate with voters about what they stand for and believe in.

I have not been able to find sites for Earl De Vries and Gregg Fritchle. De Vries is the Republican nominee in the 32nd State Senate district, challenging Sen. Gloria Negrete McLeod. Fritchle is the Democratic nominee in the 60th Assembly District, challenging Assemblyman Curt Hagman.

If they put up a web site just let us know and we will mention it on our blog.

We are still relevant...claims SB Co. Dem Party

Tomorrow in the Daily Bulletin there is going to be an article about a local meeting of Democratic candidates who are running for San Berdoo County offices and are sad that they won't get elected.

Assemblywoman Norma Torres, a member of the Democratic brain trust in Sacramento fired up the crowd in Rancho Cucamonga. "We don't want to just register Democrats, we want to be the Democrat in charge," Torres said. "We are the majority, not them. Let's exercise our muscle.

What a brilliant insight and wonderful grammar. You so good for California!

Ron Wall, Richard Galvez, and the other members of the local brain trust running for County Supervisor certainly sound like a bunch that will be on the losing end of Election Day. Thankfully for our County, State, and Nation the Democratic Party is on the opposite end of public opinion. Their tyranny of taxation, government intervention in our personal lives, and anti-capitalistic actions are closely being watched by the voters.

Norma Torres, Gloria Negrete McLeod, and other local elected Democrats have made us less safe by voting to allow criminals out of prison early. Thanks!

UPDATE: Here is the link to the Daily Bulletin article.

Picture courtesy of a Guatemalan Website: http://www.mcd.gob.gt/2009/04/01/legisladora-norma-torres-invita-al-primer-festival-nacional-de-arte-y-folklore-jose-ernesto-monzon/

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.

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.

State Candidate Fundraising Totals

State candidates were required to file their fundraising reports for the second half of 2009 this week.

60th district Assemblyman Curt Hagman filed reports for two committees. Together he raised $133, 834.96 and spent $109,101.64. One committee has no cash on hand. The other has $29,631.45 on hand.

61st Assemblywoman Norma Torres raised $146,948.89 and spent $109,586.51. She has $154,698.43 on hand.

32nd State Senator Gloria Negrete McLeod has two committees. Together she raised $61,221.00 and spent 8761.45. Combined she has $990,880.72 on hand.

Daily Bulletin forgets about Phil Liberatore, David Su and Michael Bryant?

The Dailly Bulletin ran an article today by Will Bigham on the political races in the Inland Empire. Problem is that they left out several candidates while focusing on others.

In covering the 32nd State Senate race they mention it will be tough to beat Senator Gloria Negrete-McLeod, her 2006 primary opponent will not challenge her and that she didn't have a 2006 general election opponent. They fail to mention that Michael Bryant of Ontario has pulled Signatures in-lieu papers to begin the process of challenging her.

The story about the 42nd Congressional race mentions both Democratic candidates, Louie Contreras and Michael Williamson, but only mentions that Lee McGroarty is challenging Congressman Gary Miller. It lists Lee McGroarty's criticisms of Miller. Phil Liberatore formed a Congressional committee with the FEC over a month ago to challenge Miller in the Republican primary. He has also began the filing process with the Los Angeles County Registrar of Voters. David Su pulled Signatures in-lieu forms with the LA County Registrar about a week ago to also join the primary. Neither Liberatore or Su appear to have been given a chance to say why they are running against Miller.

I found that these candidates were running by checking with the FEC and the three county Registrar of Voters offices. One would think the Daily Bulletin would do the same. It is hard for a challenger to beat an incumbent like Negrete-McLeod or Miller. They will rely heavily on free publicity like the media. It is unfortunate that they were not featured in this article. Hopefully they will be in in future articles about these races.

Local State and Federal Race Update

Nothing has changed in the state races since our last update.

However, there has been news on the federal side. Local CPA Phil Liberatore of Whittier has entered the Republican primary for the 42nd Congressional district. Michael Williamson is officially seeking the Democratic nomination in the 42nd Congressional race. Williamson finished second in the 2008 primary and last in the 2009 Mission Viejo city council race.

Filing starts Monday, so we will have a lot more next week. Will Curt Hagman, Gloria Negrete McLeod or Norma Torres run uncontested? Will Ron Shepston seek a rematch with Williamson? Will Gary Miller draw more primary challengers? Will Lee McGroarty stay in the 42nd race or rally behind Phil Liberatore to try and defeat Miller? We will find out soon!

Congressional Prospects

A few days ago I wrote that Sen. Bob Huff was being mentioned in circles as a possible Congressional candidate if an incumbent retires and/or redistricting creates a competitive seat for a Republican. I thought I would list a few others mentioned as possible candidates for a possible Three Corners new seat or retirement of an incumbent in the next 2-6 years after reapportionment. The 2012 elections would be when the newly drawn Congressional lines would go into effect. Please remember that this is all speculation, so that is what makes it interesting. Feel free to add your thoughts.

Assemblyman Curt Hagman-His current seat includes a large portion of the current 42nd seat. In fact the 42nd contains almost all of his Assembly seat. Reapportionment will probably take the southern portion of the 42nd away and replace it with more of the Inland Empire. This would make Hagman or Sen. Bob Huff the strongest candidates for, the new 42nd when Rep. Gary Miller retires, or a competitive new western Inland Empire seat held by a Democrat.

Assemblyman Jeff Miller- Miller has earned his stripes in the Riverside County Republican Party and would be considered a favorite when fellow Corona resident Rep. Ken Calvert retires. The only question would be how much of Orange County the new district will contain. Chances are that the 44th will lose its Orange County section and move farther east. But if Orange County makes up more of the district at least one Orange County elected would make a run. Miller caused speculation about his future when he put his district office in Mission Viejo right on the border of his Assembly district. Many think that Miller suspects a future State Senate or Congressional run will involve that area of Orange County.

Assemblywoman Norma Torres- Torres is a Democratic possibility if a Republican held seat gains the entire city of Pomona. Also, Rep. Grace Napolitano's seat will probably move east and north taking in more of Torres' seat. She is in her first term in Sacramento and really hasn't made much of an impact. It was rumored that her fellow council members in Pomona were thrilled that she was elected to the State Assembly so that they no longer had to deal with her, so that might play into if they would take a shot at a higher office.

Orange County Supervisor Chris Norby- Norby is expected to win the 72nd Special Election, which makes him another strong 42nd seat candidate. It was rumored several years ago that Norby was thinking about challenging Miller in a primary, so he has definitely thought about Congress. He has recently shown that he can best the party establishment in an election, so that certainly makes him a Wild Card.

San Bernardino County Supervisor Gary Ovitt- Former Ontario Mayor Ovitt currently represents a large portion of the 42nd and Rep. Joe Baca's seat. If Miller retires or Baca's seat becomes more competitive, Ovitt would be a strong candidate. He is very well regarded in the district and has been very involved with the county Republican Party.

Former State Senator Dick Ackerman- When Rep. Chris Cox retired, Ackerman was seen as the favorite until John Campbell jumped into the race, so he has an interest in serving in Congress. Ackerman could be a possible candidate for Miller or Rep. Ed Royce's seat upon retirement. Ackerman has moved before and would probably do it again. He has represented several cities in both current districts. Reapportionment could possibly move most of Northern Orange County into one seat, making him a strong contender if Miller's home town of Diamond Bar moves into another district and Royce retires.

Senator Gloria Negrete McLeod- Her senate seat includes most of Baca's 43rd seat. She would be a strong candidate for his seat when he retires. She does have a portion of Miller's Congressional seat, but not much. With the bad blood between her and Baca it is also possible she could challenge him in 2014 when she is termed out. She could possibly tap into locally elected Latina Members of Congress who have a feud with Joe Baca and his desire to place his kids in elected offices.

Other possibles include former Senator Joe Dunn, former Assembly Members Fred Aguiar, Lynn Daucher, Todd Spitzer and Bob Pacheco, Anaheim Mayor Curt Pringle and Orange County Supervisor Bill Campbell.

Local State and Federal Race Update

The campaign filing season will kick off in less than three weeks with signatures-in-lieu. Nothing has changed from my previous state and federal updates. More details are in the previous updates but I will recap.

State
Assembly Members Curt Hagman and Norma Torres have not yet drawn challengers that have filed intent with the state.

Senator Gloria Negrete McLeod has also not yet drawn a challenger.

Federal
Rep. Gary Miller and Businessman Lee McGroarty will be facing off in the 42nd Republican primary.

Michael Williamson is running for the Democratic nomination. Ron Shepston has not decided on trying again. Ed Chau will not be seeking the nomination and closed his FEC committee.

Local State Race Update

With filing quickly approaching for Federal and State offices I took a look at who has filed "Statements of Intention" to run for local State races.

As of today Assembly Members Norma Torres and Curt Hagman have not yet drawn a challenger. State Senator Gloria Negrete McLeod also has not drawn a challenger. State Senator Bob Huff is not up for reelection until 2012.

The special election for the 72nd Assembly seat is tomorrow.

Candidate filing begins with signatures-in-lieu of filing fees forms on January 1. Although County Registrar of Voters offices will not be open until January 4. The deadline to file nomination papers is March 12.