Kamala Harris's Primary Wins

 

Sayonara, Lizzie!

GOP voters (except for about 30% of them) decided that they've had enough of Rep. Liz Cheney. She was beaten in the Republican Primary by Trump-backed Harriet Hageman.

This likely won't silence Cheney, but she's now been reduced to wacko gadfly status by her defeat.

Mark Levin posted:

Congratulations, Rep.-elect Hageman!  The better woman won. And no, Liz, you’re not Abraham Lincoln. More like Benedict Arnold. Your speech tonight and the Hollywood film crew you brought with you further underscores that your ambitions and ego are utterly out-of-control.

RPNM Press Release On Primary Election Results

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE RPNM Statement on Primary Election Results RPNM Chairman Steve Pearce Released the Following Statement on Tonight's Primary Election Results: "RPNM would like to congratulate each of our party's tremendous nominees for the November election. We also thank the tens of thousands of conservative voters across New Mexico who made their voices heard at the polls. Our strong slate of Republican candidates are well qualified and prepared to offer a clear contrast to the out of touch liberal policies represented by their Democrat opponents. " -Chairman Steve Pearce Statewide Republican Nominees: Governor: Mark Ronchetti Lt. Governor: Anthony Thornton Attorney General: Jeremy Gay Secretary of State: Audrey Trujillo Treasurer: Harry Montoya Commissioner of Public Lands: Jeff Byrd Supreme Court: Thomas Montoya Supreme Court: Kerry Morris Court of Appeals: Barbara Johnson Court of Appeals: Gertrude Lee Congressional Republican Nominees: NM01: Michelle Garcia Holmes NM02: Rep. Yvette Herrell NM03: Alexis Martinez Johnson

The Republican Party of New Mexico (RPNM) advances the ideals of individual liberties for the advancement of its citizens and the greater prosperity of our communities throughout New Mexico. Led by an Executive Board and its Chairman, former NM Congressman Steve Pearce, RPNM serves all New Mexicans via its headquarters in Albuquerque and can be contacted at (505) 298-3662.                                                                                            ###

Trump Triumphs At CPAC

Former President Donald Trump gave a rousing speech today at CPAC in Orlando, Florida.

He paid tribute to Rush Limbaugh, who passed away two weeks ago. His widow, Kathryn, was present to receive Trump's tribute.

He also strongly hinted that he will be running again in 2024 (Holy Grover Cleveland, Batman!). He also said that he will be out campaigning for America First Republicans and against RINO Republicans (he listed the RINOs he'll be going after).

Of course, he attacked His Fraudulency Joe Biden for his disastrously bad 40 days in office. 

Trump also won a straw poll of CPAC attendees by over 50%.

Primary Election Day: Screwed Up

Above, the Thoreau Fire Station. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

“What we've got here is failure to communicate.” - from Cool Hand Luke, 1967.

A little while ago, I returned home from voting in today's Primary Election in Thoreau, New Mexico.

Due to the coronavirus, voters in Jamestown, New Mexico have to vote at the Thoreau Fire Station. Normally, we vote at our own fire station (Whispering Cedars). Thoreau is about 14 miles east of Jamestown.

When I got to the polling place, the workers didn't have our precinct information (but they were able to get our information through their computers). I had a feeling that we would have some hassle to vote, so I brought along my voter i.d. card which contains all of my information, including precinct.

Instead of being handed a normal ballot, I was handed a provisional ballot. Because I voted via a provisional ballot, I have to check in ten days to see if my ballot was counted. I had to complete two forms on two envelopes.

When I was done voting, the poll worker told me to hand my ballot to her. Lord knows where she put it. It certainly didn't go into a secure and sealed box.

Above, the notice on our community bulletin board. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

On the way back home, I saw Mindy Schultz in front of our fire station and stopped to chat with her. She said that they didn't get any notice on the voting change. She found out through the notice posted on the community bulletin board. A great case of the right hand not telling the left hand what's going on.

Well, at least I got my voting done.

UPDATE:

This afternoon, I was interviewed by Richard Reyes of the Gallup Independent on the irregularities of today's voting in Thoreau.

UPDATE II:

I received another call from Reyes of the Gallup Independent this evening. He said he spoke with the elections board and they told him that I (and others from Jamestown) had to vote by provisional ballots because "the computers were down". I told him this was untrue as the poll worker successfully scanned the barcode on my voter i.d card and she read off my information with no problem. He said that others who wanted to vote got so frustrated with what was going and decided against voting. 

Brilliant, Just Brilliant!*

*That was sarcasm, folks!

Above, the notice on the Whispering Cedars bulletin board. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For the June 2 Primary Election voting, we in Jamestown, New Mexico (specifically, Whispering Cedars) have to vote at the fire station in Thoreau, which is about 14 miles east of us. The above notice is posted on our community bulletin board.

Normally, we vote at the Whispering Cedars/McKinley County Fire Station. But the "powers that be" here decided to have us and voters from Smith Lake Chapter House vote in Thoreau due to COVID-19. Instead of voting at our normal polling place where we have (maybe) two with coronavirus, we will be exposed to others outside of our community. Smith Lake Chapter is in the Navajo Nation, which has a high number of coronavirus cases. That's not too smart on someone's part. 

Maybe there's another motive. Someone may think that instead of driving to Thoreau, voters may opt to vote by absentee ballot. The Democrats are pushing hard for mail-in voting (where they can pull their usual chicanery). Our community is relatively conservative and somebody may think they can dissuade our voters from voting.

Well, since I don't trust Democrats, I am driving to Thoreau to vote.

Elisa Martinez For U.S. Senate

Above, Elisa Martinez.

Yesterday, the Pre-Primary Republican Convention was held in Albuquerque and the candidate field for the GOP nomination for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Democrat Tom Udell. The convention vote left two candidates standing and will be on the ballot for the June 2 Primary.

The Albuquerque Journal reported:

Anti-abortion advocate Elisa Martinez and former television meteorologist Mark Ronchetti emerged as the top Republican challengers to Democratic Congressman Ben Ray Luján in the race to replace Tom Udall in the U.S. Senate. 

Martinez received the most votes, and Ronchetti finished second at the New Mexico Republican Party Pre-Primary Convention on Saturday at Hotel Albuquerque. Former Trump administration official and ex-New Mexico State University professor Gavin Clarkson, Albuquerque contractor Mick Rich and businessman Louie Sanchez failed to receive 20% of the vote required to secure places on the ballot, and must submit more petitions to remain in the primary race. 

“The bottom line is that New Mexicans have been left behind by our politicians in D.C.,” said Martinez, who credited her first-place finish to her grassroots campaign. “It’s time we start putting New Mexico first. … We’re behind. We’re last in everything good, and first in everything bad. And we need to flip that by focusing on the economy and jobs.”

Electing Rep. Ben Ray Lujan to the U.S Senate would be a disaster for the country and New Mexico. His stands on the issues is in direct opposite of common sense and what the people want. His cousin, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham is one of the most unpopular governors in the country. She has caused deep divisions within the state and Ben Ray Lujan also part of the left-wing wackos who have taken over the Democrat Party. To paraphrase Rev. Jesse Jackson, "Stay out of the Lujans!"

As such, I see Elisa Martinez as having the best chance to defeat Lujan in November. I agree with her stands on the issues and has already built a good campaign organization. Ronchetti may be a good man, but in comparison to Martinez, he is a political novice.

Accordingly, I am supporting Martinez for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate from New Mexico. I have notified her campaign of my support and made a contribution to her campaign. 

To access Elisa Martinez's campaign website, go here.

New Mexico Republican Pre-Primary Convention Held Today

Above, U.S. Senate Candidate Elisa Martinez garnered most votes and will be in the top position on the Republican Primary ballot.

New Mexico certainly has a different system of selecting party candidates for federal offices.

Today, the New Mexico Republican Party held its pre-primary convention in Albuquerque.

According to KRQE:

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Saturday, more than 800 Republicans from around New Mexico took part in the State Pre-Primary Convention. Delegates had been elected from their counties to attend the convention and they selected federal candidates for New Mexico’s June 2 primary election. 

The votes capped the convention steered by Convention Chair, and former Party Chair, John Billingsley and current Party Chair Steve Pearce. All 16 candidates gave speeches in hopes of snagging the open U.S. Senate and three Congressional District seats. 

In the U.S. Senate race, Elisa Martinez received the most votes and will be in the top ballot position. Mark Ronchetti will also be on the ballot. 

To get on the primary ballot, candidates must have received 20% of the vote. If they fall short, they may elect to get signatures to try to qualify to get on the primary ballot.

The New Mexico Primary Election is on June 2.

To read more, go here. 

I Voted!

Above, the polling place was set up in the Whispering Cedars Fire Station conference room. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For the first time, I did my civic duty in New Mexico by casting my primary election ballot.

For our area of Jamestown, New Mexico, the polling place is at the Whispering Cedars Fire Station. It is a nice facility and the polling place was set up in a conference room.

Above, one of the station's fire engines. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Voting here is a bit different than in California. Usually, of someone is not being contested during a primary, their names don't appear on the ballot. Here, all offices up for election were on the ballot and, strangely, none of the offices had a contested primary. There was just one name for each office.

Above, the Whispering Cedars paramedics unit. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Also, California mails sample ballots weeks before an election. Here, none were mailed out but the poll workers had two separate stacks of sample ballots, one for the Democrats and one for the Republicans.

Anyway, it was an easy process to vote. 

New Mexico Primary Election Day June 5

Above, the Whispering Cedars Fire Station, the location of my polling place. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Like Commiefornia (i.e., California), New Mexico's primary election day is Tuesday, June 5.

One of the first things I did after moving to New Mexico was to register to vote. Our polling place is at the Whispering Cedars Fire Station.

One thing I noticed in New Mexico is that some Democrat candidates for such offices as County Sheriff and others that are usually non-partisan, have their party affiliation on their campaign signs. Frankly, the way the Democrats have been behaving since the 2016 election, I don't see this as any help to their campaigns. This may result in a "red wave". We shall see.

People, quite frankly, would be crazy to vote for a Democrat for any law enforcement-related position since they corrupted the U.S. Department of Justice and the FBI, essentially turning them into the KGB. Also, the Democrat Party has been taken over by radical leftists. There are no traditional Democrats left like Henry "Scoop" Jackson, Sam Nunn, JFK and others.

Thus far, I have met the Republican candidate for New Mexico U.S. Senator, Mick Rich. He will face the Democrat incumbent in November since he's running unopposed.

This election should prove to be very interesting!

CALGUNS.NET California Primary Endorsements

We are facing an unprecedented attack, not only on our Second Amendment rights but on ourselves as individuals and gun owners. This election is crucial, not only to determine the future of Second Amendment rights in California for ourselves but also whether or not our children will have the right to keep and bear arms in the future. They are relying on US to fight for their right to not only protect themselves but their children as well.

We ask that you as Californians with a vested interest in our Second Amendment rights not only register and vote but also encourage others both in and out of the shooting sports community to do so as well. We cannot preserve our right to keep and bear arms without a voice and we cannot have a voice if we do not vote. We have been silent for too long and we only have to look around to see the cost. This election is a mid-term election and turn out is expected to be low which means if we vote in numbers our voices will be that much louder.

If you're not registered to vote you have until May 21st to register, you can register online at https://registertovote.ca.gov/  If your friends, family or coworkers are not registered to vote encourage them to both register and to vote for candidates that will respect and protect our rights and freedoms.

Earlier this year we reached out to candidates in several races regarding their position on Second Amendment rights and preserving and protecting the rights of the citizens of California. The answers we received, the ratings given by 2nd Amendment organizations like the NRA and CRPA and the voting of the Calguns.net community members were used to choose candidates to support and endorse.

Calguns.net endorses Travis Allen for Governor in the 2018 Primary.

Travis Allen's stance on Second Amendment rights as well as his proven voting record shows him to be the best candidate for the office of Governor for California's firearms owners, shooter, hunters and shooting sports enthusiasts. Find out what you can do to help elect a pro-2A Governor by going to https://jointravisallen.com/

Calguns.net endorses Bob Lindsey for Sheriff of Los Angeles County.

Bob Lindsey's experience, integrity and stance on all aspects of 2A rights including ‘Shall Issue’ has earned him both an 'A' rating with CRPA (the only 'A' rating in the L.A. Sheriff's race) and the support and endorsements of Calguns.net and the Calguns.net community! Help elect a pro-2A/pro- Shall Issue Sheriff in L.A. County, https://sheriffboblindsey.com/

Calguns.net endorses Sydne Jane Michel for Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Seat # 16

Sydne Jane Michel respects the rule of law and the constitution, brings extensive experience as a civil attorney and prosecutor and understands the need to be fair but also tough on violent criminals. The election of Judges is frequently overlooked, often to our detriment. Help elect a Judge that respects your rights and the Constitution, https://www.michelforjudge.com/

You CAN make a difference in this election so get registered and VOTE June 5th!!!

Mark Reed For Los Angeles City Council District 7

Above, Armand with Mark Reed and a campaign supporter at the Valley Relics Museum in 2014.

No sooner than the 2016 election is over and done with, there's another election that Los Angeles residents have to deal with.

According to Ballotpedia:

The city of Los Angeles, California, will hold primary elections for mayor, eight city council seats, city attorney, and city controller on March 7, 2017. Any race where no candidate earns a majority (50 percent plus one) of the primary votes cast in that race will advance to a general election on May 16, 2017. Thus, the March election is functionally a general election and the May election is functionally a runoff, as it is only held for races that are not determined in the primary. 

Terms won in this election will be impacted by Charter Amendment 1. Passed in March 2015, the amendment shifted city elections to even-numbered years beginning in 2020. As a result, any officials elected in 2017 will win special five-and-a-half year terms ending in 2022. The following candidates are running in the primary election for the District 7 seat on the Los Angeles City Council.

District 7 is on the northern edge of the San Fernando Valley. The communities in the district are:

• Pacoima
• Lake View Terrace
• Sunland-Tujunga
• Mission Hills
• North Hills
• Shadow Hills
• Sylmar

Mark Reed, a former candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives is running for this city council seat and would be a good voice for the district. He is not part of the leftist Democrat-controlled establishment.

In a letter to the Daily News:

Elizabeth Chou
City Hall beat reporter
LA Daily News 

Hi Liz, 

Thank you for reaching out. 

The northeast San Fernando Valley has always been represented by insiders looking to advance their political careers, consequently we have always been short changed in resources. The idea that Mayor Garcetti did not even reach out to the other candidates, or interview them for endorsement consideration tells me we will get the same as we have in the past if she is elected. Monica Rodriguez is an insider backed by the political machine and the unions and has no real interest in the community she wants to serve. You can not serve two masters. It's time we have a council person who will serve the community as if it were their home front. I have an extensive background both on the local and national stage. I have lived in the community for 60 years. I have several proposals to address the main issues in our communities. Would love to sit for an interview to discuss them. 

Thank you again for reaching out. 

Mark Reed 

One advantage that Reed has over other candidates is his name recognition from his past congressional campaigns.

Vote for Mark Reed on March 7!

UPDATE: I sent this blog post to Mark Reed and received this reply:

Thank you Armand Vaquer for your continued support. We can and will win this one. We need volunteers for phone banking. Please email at mrcongress@verizon.net.

Sen. Greg Smith and Other Conservatives Lose Primaries To RINOs

Above, Sen. Greg Smith of Kansas.

One has to sometimes wonder what drives the electorate to vote the way they do. Today is one of those times.

Kansas State Senator Greg Smith, along with several other conservative legislators, lost their primary bids last night.

According to the Wall Street Journal:

TOPEKA, Kan.—A top Senate leader and at least 10 other conservative Kansas legislators have lost their seats as moderate Republicans made GOP primary races a referendum on education funding and the state's persistent budget woes. 

Senate Majority Leader Terry Bruce was among the lawmakers ousted amid a backlash against Republican Gov. Sam Brownback and his allies. 

Besides Mr. Bruce, the conservative senators who were unseated were Tom Arpke, of Salina; Forrest Knox, of Altoona; Jeff Melcher, of Leawood; Larry Powell, of Garden City; and Greg Smith, of Overland Park. All are allies of Gov. Brownback.

That is one of the reasons that I don't trust moderate Republicans. They would find any excuse to stab conservatives in the back during a primary or, failing that, support a Democrat in the general election.

Word has reached me that Smith's opponent, Dinah Sykes, ran a well-funded campaign (teacher's union money?). It will be interesting to see where her campaign contributions came from.

We are also seeing this on the national scale as moderates (RINOs) are backing Hillary Clinton over Donald Trump.

Sen. Smith served his community and state well. I was proud to support him. I hope this setback is only temporary and that he'll jump back into the arena.

To read more, go here.

Ben Sasse Leads In Early Vote Totals

Above, Ben Sasse.

One of the U.S. Senate candidates I contributed to is now leading in the early vote count.

With 4% of the vote counted, Ben Sasse is way ahead at 44%.

According to ABC News:

Tea party-favorite Ben Sasse seized an early lead on Tuesday in Nebraska's Republican primary for the U.S. Senate, outpacing a wealthy banker and the establishment-backed candidate in a race that highlighted the fissures within the GOP. 

With 4 percent of precincts reporting, Sasse, the president of Midland University, had 44 percent of the vote to 25 percent for Sid Dinsdale and 22 percent for Shane Osborn. 

The tea party, outside conservative groups and two of the right's heroes — Sarah Palin and Sen. Ted Cruz — had rallied behind Sasse. For months, he was locked in an increasingly negative race with former State Treasurer Osborn, who had the backing of the Washington establishment and allies of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.

 For more, go here.

UPDATE: The Associated Press via ABC News has called the race in Nebraska for Ben Sasse:

University president, tea party favorite Ben Sasse wins Nebraska GOP US Senate nomination.

UPDATE: The Lincoln, Nebraska Journal Star has also declared Sasse the winner:

Midland University President Ben Sasse emerged from a rough and tumble race to claim a substantial primary victory over Republicans battling for a U.S. Senate seat. 

The Associated Press declared the race for Sasse shortly before 9 p.m.

The Wilshire Brown Derby

Above, the original Wilshire Blvd. Brown Derby Restaurant in the 1950s.

A kind soul posted the above photo of the original Wilshire Blvd. Brown Derby Restaurant over on Twitter. This jogged a memory of my last meal there.

It was on primary election night in June 1980 in which former Governor Ronald Reagan won the California Primary for the GOP nomination for president. I was an area chairman for the Reagan campaign in the Hawthorne-Gardena area of Los Angeles County. The victory party was held that night at the Ambassador Hotel across the street from the Brown Derby. This was probably the first presidential campaign victory party held at the Ambassador Hotel since Sen. Robert F. Kennedy's assassination there in June 1968.

Before heading over to the Ambassador, I stopped at the Brown Derby for dinner. Much to my delight, they had a special of two lobster tails for around $12 or $15. So, I had two lobster tails that night.

According to Wikipedia, I was lucky to eat there as the restaurant was permanently closed later that year:

Opened in 1926, the original restaurant at 3427 Wilshire Boulevard remains the most famous due to its distinctive shape. Whimsical architecture was popular at the time, and the restaurant was designed to catch the eye of passing motorists. The Brown Derby name originated from a Malverne, New York-based restaurant of the same name which had been a popular hang-out for vaudevillians in the 1920s.^[2] 

The small cafe, close to popular Hollywood hot spots such as Cocoanut Grove at the Ambassador Hotel, became successful enough to warrant building a second branch. 

The original, derby-shaped building was moved in 1937 to 3377 Wilshire Boulevard at the northeast corner of Wilshire Boulevard and Alexandria Avenue, about a block from its previous location (and about a block north of the Ambassador Hotel). 

After being sold in 1975 and renovated, the building was finally replaced in 1980 by a shopping center known as the Brown Derby Plaza.

The Derby was incorporated into the new shopping center building after preservationists campaigned to save it.

Above, actor Michael Landon and Gov. Reagan at the private reception in the Ambassador Hotel in June 1980.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After dinner, I headed off to the Ambassador Hotel for the victory party. While the main party was in the Embassy Ballroom, I was in a separate reception room for campaign officials where the Reagans, along with actor Michael Landon, made an appearance before Gov. Reagan made his public victory speech. I took several photographs of them, one of which was published on the front page of the Los Angeles County Republican Central Committee's The Trunkline newspaper.

O'Donnell Defeats Castle

Above, Delaware GOP U.S. Senate nominee Christine O'Donnell.

Christine O'Donnell, appears to be the victor in the Delaware GOP U.S. Senate primary over Rep. Mike Castle, a R.I.N.O. Republican.

Delawareonline.com is reporting:

With 98 percent of the primary vote tallied across Delaware, Christine O'Donnell is defeating U.S. Rep. Mike Castle in the Republican primary for the U.S. Senate.

In unofficial returns, O'Donnell has 53.2 percent of the votes tallied; Castle has 46.8 percent.

The Associated Press has called O'Donnell the winner.

The ruling-class R.I.N.O. Republicans are probably shaking in their boots tonight!

UPDATE: The Hill is reporting:

A Rep. Mike Castle (R-Del.) campaign source confirmed to The Hill late Tuesday that the longtime congressman will not be endorsing Christine O’Donnell.

Typical of R.I.N.O.s, sore losers!

Vote Today!

Today is Primary Election Day in California.

Don't let your vote go to waste. It is better to participate in the election process than let others elect people who don't share your views.

For the state's Republicans, check out each of the candidates' backgrounds, voting records and past statements. Too often, some GOP candidates talk a good game, but turn out to be Republicans In Name Only, or R.I.N.O.s.

We need more elected conservatives, not a bunch of "moderates" who are Democrat-light.

The main thing is to get out and vote!

California GOP Primary and Propositions Recommendations - Part 2

Here, as promised is the California GOP Primary and Propositions Recommendations - Part 2. Some are repeats of previous recommendations.

Statewide

Governor: Meg Whitman. Not my idea of a great conservative but far better than Poizner who is worse than she is. A part of my rationale is that her money could possibly help other GOP candidates on the ballot that are in close races by bringing out more Republicans and like-minded independents to vote.

Lt. Governor: St. Senator Sam Aanestad. He has been endorsed by major conservative groups. Need another reason? The current Lt. Governor, Able Maldonado is a lying liberal wienie.

Secretary of State: Damon Dunn. The other guy is a lunatic birther! Not just a lunatic birther but a big-time lunatic birther!!!

Controller: Tony Strickland. A conservative, who knows how to campaign. Best shot at wining in November. A hack politician, but a good guy and we have to get over our fears of hack politicians if they are good guys!

Treasurer: Mimi Walters. Currently a Republican state senator, and more importantly, the only GOP candidate running for Treasurer.

Insurance Commissioner: Brian Fitzgerald. Best reason? He's not Mike Villines, a well-known wienie.

United States Senator: Carly Fiorina. Not nearly as conservative (especially on social issues) as Chuck Devore, but Chuck Devore will go down the tubes big time in November if he is the GOP nominee. Just a fact. Tom Campbell is a liberal! His campaign using Ronald Reagan's name and image is disgusting to me. Another reason for Carly Fiorina is she can and will finance her own campaign with what it takes to run a great campaign. And like Whitman, the money she spends to draw out voters could help other GOP candidates.

Board of Equalization, District 4: No GOP candidate filed to run. No recommendation.

Superintendent of Public Instruction: You are on your own here. I'll probably vote for Karen Blake because she says she will end bi-lingual education. That's a good start. But I haven't had time to research the candidates for this office and have found no endorsements for anyone yet.

STATEWIDE MEASURES

Prop. 13. Seismic Retrofits. YES: Earthquake proofing your house shouldn't trigger a tax increase until you're ready to sell. Any questions?

Prop. 14. Distorted Primary. NO: (Note: Beware of the deceptive language in the title of this Proposition) Instead of voters of each party putting their best candidate forward, this jerry-rigged system is designed to disguise the difference between the parties and force those pesky third parties off the general election ballot entirely. It could result in run-off elections between two Democrats rather than a Republican, a Democrat and other third parties. Political parties should have the right to choose who their candidate is. This is a bad proposition for the possibility of electing Republican (or third party) candidates in the future.

Prop. 15. Taxpayer Funded Elections. NO: The real purpose of this measure is to allow the legislature to tap taxpayers to finance political campaigns. Jefferson said it best: "To compel a man to subsidize with his taxes the propagation of ideas which he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical."

Prop. 16. Utility Elections. YES: Cash-guzzling city governments have been taking over the territory of utilities through eminent domain and PG&E wants to put it to a vote. This measure gives you the choice upon whose mercy your future electricity bills will depend: the monopoly of city hall or the monopoly of your utility. Here's a better idea: restore the freedom of individual consumers to choose among competing providers who actually have to earn their business. Alas, that part was left out by the suits at PG&E.

Prop. 17. Insurance Rates. YES: A simple question: should drivers be able to take their "continuous coverage" discount with them when they change insurance companies? A simpler question: why are our laws such a micro managing mess that we have to vote on something as self-evident as this in the first place?

LOCAL MEASURES

Prop. E. LAUSD Parcel Tax. NO: The LAUSD is proposing a parcel tax of $100.00 per household for additional school funding. LAUSD has been unable to manage its funds efficiently, has made no efforts to significantly decrease its wasteful spending. We believe that no parcel tax should be imposed on already over-burdened homeowners. Let LAUSD do the work of reducing spending before it asks homeowners to bail it out.

Judicial Recommendations (from the California Republican Party)

The following are our recommendations for Los Angeles County Superior Court Judges. This is based, for the most part, on the recommendations of Craig Huey on his site, Judge Voter Guide.

Judge-Superior Court; County of Los Angeles; Office 28
Kim Smith

Judge-Superior Court; County of Los Angeles; Office 35
Soussan G. Bruguera

Judge-Superior Court; County of Los Angeles; Office 73
Laura A. Matz

Judge-Superior Court; County of Los Angeles; Office 107
Tony De Los Reyes

Judge-Superior Court; County of Los Angeles; Office 117
Pattricia M. Vienna

Judge-Superior Court; County of Los Angeles; Office 131
Maren Elizabeth Nelson

Thanks to Glenn H. Thornhill, B.A., ECV, noted political analyst, for his assistance in compiling these recommendations. For the races not mentioned, go to Part 1.

California GOP Primary and Propositions Recommendations: Part One

Tuesday, June 8 is Primary Election Day in California. There are a number of candidates to choose from in the GOP Primary.

If you are confused on whom to vote for and what ballot propositions to support or oppose, here's some recommendations for the GOP Primary. More recommendations will be posted at a later date.

For Governor: Meg Whitman. Whitman is a strong fiscal conservative who may be able to straighten out California's financial mess. Steve Poizner is no conservative, despite what his ads say. Whitman also would have the financial means to conduct a winning general election campaign against former Governor Jerry Brown (a.k.a. Governor Moonbeam).

For Attorney General: Tom Harman.

United States Senator: Carly Fiorina. Carly Fiorina would be a strong voice in the U.S. Senate for gun owners. So would Chuck DeVore. But Fiorina would have the financial means to wage a vigorous campaign against Barbara Boxer. Boxer has shown what she would fight from the gutter in past campaigns. Fiorina would be able to overcome that. Tom Campbell has cast many anti-gun votes during his political career. So he's no friend to gun owners.

U.S. Representative, 27th District (San Fernando Valley): Mark Reed. Navaraj Singh was the GOP nominee for congress two years ago and did not mount much of a campaign. Mark Reed has entertainment industry ties and may be able to raise the funds to mount a campaign against Brad Sherman. Although the district is heavily Democrat, there may be enough angry Democrats over the socialist votes Sherman cast since Obama took office to vote Republican. Let's give Reed a chance and see how he performs.

The Propositions:

Proposition 14: No. This is just a scheme to rig California elections so that the top two vote-getters square off in the general election. The top two could be Democrats, thus leaving Republicans with no candidate!

Proposition 15: No. Public financing of candidates for California Secretary of State. The state is already broke, need I say more?

Proposition 13: Yes. Limits on property tax assessment. Prevents reassessment of existing properties (i.e., higher taxes) that are retrofitted to meet seismic regulations. This will prevent seismic improvements to cause existing properties to be reassessed at a higher value, causing higher taxes.

Proposition 16: Yes. Imposes new two-thirds voter approval requirement before local municipalities can get into the electricity provider business. Definitely one to vote for!

Proposition 17: Yes. Allows auto insurance companies to base their prices on a driver's history of insurance coverage.

Los Angeles Unified School District Special Election:

Measure E: No. Another tax increase scheme. If this passes, and if you are a renter, your landlord would be pressed to raise your rent to pay the tax. Over the past 13 years, the LAUSD lived high on the hog with voter-approved bond measures. Now they want even more money!

There are other offices where there is a contested primary campaign. Those will be covered in a future post.