Sep 302023
 

CAGOP Chairwoman Jessica Patterson refused to lead on the platform fight. Your intrepid blogger can’t tell if that is because she wanted to shred the platform, McCarthy wanted to shred the platform or that she really did not care about this foundational issue. None of these scenarios are good at all.

Four years ago when the far-left of the CAGOP tried to shred the platform, CAGOP Chair Jim Brulte put an end to the drama himself. This is called leadership.

The below email came out yesterday from the California legislative Republican leaders and then said leaders showed up to the convention. The result? The garbage produced by the platform drafting committee was discarded and the full committee voted 69-31 to re-adopt the existing CAGOP platform. It now requires a 2/3 vote to do anything but re-adopt the existing platform at tomorrow’s floor session.

Platform Committee Members:

As proud conservatives and the Leaders of our respective Caucuses, we believe in the foundational principles of the Republican Party. Principles of human freedom and equality, the dignity of all life, free enterprise, and time tested moral wisdom.

We need to reach more Californians with our values.  Younger voters and minority communities are responding to our message when we show up and apply those values to the issues they face: crushing everyday costs, crime that makes them feel unsafe, and education that is failing our kids. Republicans have answers to each of those problems.
Every so often, a robust discussion about our platform is necessary and essential.  When we do it’s important that we hear from everyone in our Party.  We are a big tent, a Grand Old Party, and all of our members are valued.  Sometimes we may disagree, but our differences are reconcilable and we cannot allow that to distract from our fight for the future of California. This is a state we all love and one that is currently being destroyed by the secular progressive values of the Democrats.
This is why we are asking the Platform Committee to simply re-adopt the existing party platform on Saturday. This platform covers a broad assortment of the policies and principals we support even if we have some differences over language. We cannot risk a divisive platform debate extending to the next convention during an important election year.
We appreciate the work that has gone into this process and value the various opinions that have been shared by many of our friends. We do not need unnecessary division in our Party.  Instead we must come together and focus on getting more Republicans elected to office in order to Fix California. We stand ready to lead in that fight!
Thank you for your service and consideration of our request.

James Gallagher
Assembly Republican Leader

Brian Jones
Senate Republican Leader
Sep 282023
 

Blogger’s Note: New Endorsements are in Bold. Scroll Down. They have achieved critical mass

 

Dear CAGOP Delegate,

Our Declaration of Independence celebrates “self-evident truths” in the ordering of the universe, contained in the “laws of nature and of nature’s God.”  Truths evident in history, human nature, and written in the Scriptures, are never to be compromised.

In our more recent past, former California Governor Ronald Reagan, addressing the Republican National Convention in 1976, said, “I believe the Republican party has a platform that is a banner of bold, unmistakable colors with no pale pastel shades.”

In 2023, at a time of great uncertainty, with the fundamental building blocks of society as we know it under attack by the radical left, will WE be the ones to lead the California GOP away from our bold, unmistakable principles in exchange for watered-down, fuzzy knock-off – the very pale pastels Reagan warned us about? At a time when Americans, betrayed by our political leaders, are seeking leadership based on timeless principles, will we let them down by retreating when we should, instead, advance?

We, the undersigned, ask you to join us to save our bold, unmistakable California Republican Party Platform.

Our existing CAGOP platform takes clear and firm stands on the following core, conservative principles: Economy and Jobs; Crime and Justice; Taxes and Government Spending; The Right to Life; Traditional Marriage; Family; The Right to Keep and Bear Arms; Religious Freedom; Election Integrity; Education, Immigration; National Defense; Private Property Rights; Veterans Affairs, our historic and ongoing Support for Proposition 13, and more. You can view our current platform HERE.

The current draft drops our commitments to traditional marriage, to the right to life, and to Proposition 13, while watering down our language on many other core principles through vague language and faddish buzzwords in a strained attempt to stay “current.”  Remember New Coke? Exactly. You can view the drafted platform HERE.

Great movements are built on foundational principles.  We are confident that our Republican Party can grow strong again by basing our efforts as a party on the bedrock, eternal truths in our U.S. Constitution. Look what happened with Republican, pro-life Governor Glen Youngkin who won Virginia and lit the path forward by combatting the absurdity and evil of the culture war issues, not by capitulating to them. We must do the same. Bud Light, Target, and the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts learned hard lessons when they embraced leftist extremism and forgot their base. California Republicans cannot afford to make the mistake of capitulating to the woke left instead of standing firm on our traditional values and core principles.

As a Party, we live as principled Republicans or die as a pale, pastel imitation of the Democrats. Abandoning our principles will not get us votes, but it will, most certainly, cause us to lose our most principled and loyal supporters and volunteers. Therefore, we ask that the CAGOP maintain its foundational principles and respectfully ask for your commitment to VOTE to keep our platform “as is” and would be grateful for your support.

CLICK HERE TO PLEDGE YOUR SUPPORT AT SaveOurPlatform.com
Important: Send Your Comments to the Platform Committee HERE
Respectfully,

CALIFORNIA REPUBLICAN PARTY BOARD MEMBERS

Harmeet K. Dhillon
California RNC National Committeewoman

Laurie Wallace
Northern Regional Vice Chair

Bryan Pritchard
Northwest Regional Vice Chair and Chairman, Lake County Republican Party

Randall Jordan
Central Coast Regional Vice Chair

John Dennis
Chair of the County Chairmen’s Association and of the San Francisco GOP

Doug LaMalfa
U.S. House of Representatives, CA-1

Ted Gaines
Board of Equalization Member

CURRENT AND FORMER ELECTED OFFICIALS

Young Kim
U.S. House of Representatives, CA-40

Michelle Steel
U.S. House of Representatives, CA-45

Brian Jones
California State Senate Republican Leader

Brian Dahle
California State Senate, District 1

Janet Nguyen
California State Senate, District 36

Megan Dahle
California State Assembly, District 1

Joe Patterson
California State Assembly, District 5

Jim Patterson
California State Assembly, District 8

Phillip Chen
California State Assembly, District 59

Tri Ta
California State Assembly, District 70

Kate Sanchez
California State Assembly, District 71

Diane Dixon
California State Assembly, District 72

Laurie Davies
California State Assembly, District 74

Mike Morrell
Former California State Senator

Diane Harkey
Former Legislator and Board of Education Chairwoman

Jessica Martinez
City Councilmember, City of Whittier

CURRENT CANDIDATES AND FORMER NOMINEES

Scott Baugh
Official Endorsed Candidate for U.S. House of Representatives, CA-47

Brian Maryott
2022 Nominee for U.S. House of Representatives, CA-49

Eric Early
Candidate for U.S. Senate

Peter Hernandez
Candidate for U.S. House of Representatives, CA-18

Toni Holle
2022 Nominee for California State Assembly, District 53

Mike Tardif
2022 Nominee for California State Assembly, District 68

CURRENT AND FORMER COUNTY REPUBLICAN LEADERS

Fred M. Whitaker
Chairman, Republican Party of Orange County

Paula Whitsell
Chairwoman, Republican Party of San Diego County

Tony Krvaric
Chairman Emeritus, Republican Party of San Diego County

Tonya Pearcey
Chairman, Del Norte County Republican Party

Todd White
Chairman, El Dorado County Republican Party

Susan Moxon
Chairwoman, Humboldt County Republican Party

Jack Wilkinson
Chairman, Marin County Republican Party

Richard Westfall
Chairman, Mariposa County Republican Party

Deb Hughes
Chairwoman, Mendocino County Republican Party

Bob Zane
Chairman, Modoc County Republican Party

Doris Gentry
Chairwoman, Napa County Republican Party

Mac Young
Chairman, Nevada County Republican Party

Mark Wright
Chairman, Placer County Republican Party

Matthew Dobler
Chairman, Riverside County Republican Party

Anna Kramer
Chairwoman, San Mateo County Republican Party

Dan Sloan
Chairman, Shasta County Republican Party

Dan Dorsey
Chairman, Siskiyou County Republican Party

Matt Heath
Chairman, Sonoma County Republican Party

Lloyd Leighton
Chairman, Sutter County Republican Party

Michael Holtsclaw
Chairman, Tehama County Republican Party

Diane Richards
Chairwoman, Trinity County Republican Party

Dan Brown
Chairman, Yolo County Republican Party

Johanna Lassaga
Chairwoman, Yuba County Republican Party

Susan Vander Schaaf
Former Chair, San Joaquin County Republican Party

Siaka Massaquoi
Vice Chair, Los Angeles County Republican Party

John Pero
Vice Chair, Madera County Republican Party

Debbie LeBoy
Vice Chair and Election Integrity Chair, Sonoma County Republican Party

Lisa Remmer
Vice Chair of Political Affairs, San Francisco Republican Party

Rebekah Carlson
Vice Chair, Yuba County Republican Party

Nelda Martin
1st Chair, Santa Barbara County Republican Party

Holly Verhalen
1st Vice Chair, Sutter County Republican Party

Colleen Waugh
2nd Vice Chair, Butte County Republican Party

Tom Pessoa
2nd Vice Chair, Yuba County Republican Party

Vicky Reinke
Treasurer, Calaveras County Republican Party

Marvel Northrup
Treasurer, Lake County Republican Party

Fran Freedle
Treasurer, Nevada County Republican Party

Jackie Terwilliger
Treasurer, Siskiyou County Republican Party

Chuck Smith
Treasurer, Sutter County Republican Party

Brent Vann
Treasurer, Yolo County Republican Party

Bob Rintel
Treasurer, San Francisco County Republican Party

Catherine Lara
Director of Election Integrity, San Bernardino County Republican Party

Eunice Malley
Election Integrity Officer, Solano County Republican Party

Nancy Cochran
District 1 Chair, San Joaquin County Republican Party

Ryan Christie
District 2 Chair, Humboldt County Republican Party

Lisa Morehouse
District 5 Chair, Humboldt County Republican Party

Gia McElroy
District 5 Chair, San Joaquin County Republican Party

Peter Amundson
Chairman, Los Angeles County Republican Party, AD-49

Jack Mercica
Vice Chair, Los Angeles County Republican Party, AD-41

Sylvia Southerland
Vice Chair, Los Angeles Republican Party, AD-56

Emily Lares
Treasurer, Los Angeles County Republican Party, AD-56

VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATION AND COALITION LEADERS

Carl Brickey
President, California Republican Assembly

Thomas Hudson
President, California Taxpayer Protection Committee

Patti Siegmann
Chair, California Republican Veterans Association

Dran Reese
President, The Salt and Light Council

Mike Netter
Co-Chair, Rebuild California

Brian Johnston
Western Regional Director, National Right to Life Committee

Sam Paredes
Executive Director, Gun Owners of America

Bill Cardoza
National Committeeman, California Republican Assembly

Gina Rishwain
President, Stockton Republican Women Federated

William Donahue
President, College Republicans of America

Dennis Mattock
Executive Vice President, Ventura County Republican Assembly

Joy Miedecke
President, East Valley Republican Women Patriots

Robert Kowell
President, Murrieta Temecula Republican Assembly

Sep 282023
 

The Frank-Hamburger Alliance is not a BBQ you want to dine at

Your intrepid blogger has known DJ Hamburger for a long time as well. I’ve never taken him seriously, ever. When I heard that DJ had decided to run against Suzette Valladares, I knew from my history with the players involved that DJ did not develop the idea independently.

In the previous post, when I wrote about Suzette Valladares’ long-standing record of service to the Republican Party, I failed to mention that she was instrumental in DJ getting his first internship. In fact, when I met DJ years ago, it was through CRA, and DJ was affiliated with the Buck McKeon crew.

DJ’s history as an activist should give the CAGOP purity police pause. He was a board member of an organization that promotes Gay Marriage, is generally pro-choice, and is pro-trans. That group also supported nationwide bans on Christian parents seeking counseling for children struggling with their sexuality and bans on faith-based groups that do not toe the line on homosexual adoptions. It is a sad irony that the Barbeque of Bulls–t has fired up over one LGBT bill and one abortion vote when the case could easily be made that DJ is far to the left of Suzette on various social issues.

Then you have to ask yourself why Steve Frank would align with someone socially liberal. It can’t be for the paycheck, as DJ Hamburger’s campaign will not be able to afford to walk and chew gum simultaneously.

I also know that Steve Frank hates anyone attached to former Congressman Buck McKeon. In 1996, Steve Frank ran for Assembly and was beaten by Tom McClintock. Scott Wilk, the outgoing Senator, worked for McClintock. Buck McKeon, apparently, joined with others to aid McClintock at various stages of McClintock’s political career.

Buck McKeon has been out of office for a damn near a decade, but the rage lives on.

Hamburger helped cure ballots for Suzette Valladares when she lost by about 500 votes for re-election to AD40 in 2022! He also interviewed for a job with her as well. That could be added to the motive mix as well.

Thus, the Frank-Hamburger alliance was born. Then the carnival act started soon after that.

Many of you know that Steve Frank was rightly critical of former State Senator and Lt Gov Abel “Maldo” Maldonado. Frank should have reviewed Hamburger’s resume…

That’s right, DJ worked for one of the most Liberal Republicans we’ve seen in a generation. Maldo was one of the GOP votes to place Prop 14 on the ballot, went up on Arnold’s massive borrowing, tax increases, and a grab bag of lefty initiatives. There was DJ Hamburger right in the middle of it all.

DJ also has some interesting stuff on the internet advertising his skills for employment. For $1.98, you can hire him for a cameo.

No one should take Hamburger seriously. At Right on Daily, we will let the young man’s actions speak for everything needed.

Scott Weiner 2.0

I think Mr. Hamburger should take his mentor through several Yoga sessions. Mr. Frank could use a mental cleansing for sure…

As I typed in my previous post, Hamburger has so much stuff on his social media that should he make the runoff against a Democrat for SD-23, he’d get massacred. Judge for yourself with this sample. Your intrepid blogger is not camera-shy, but I would not want to be in the video, either! (You need Facebook access to experience this video)

It is usually a disaster when candidates run for office halfcocked to seek revenge. Welcome to the Frank-Hamburger Alliance.

Sep 272023
 

Blogger’s Note: This whole effort would not be necessary if the Chairwoman of the CAGOP would engage and do what Jim Brulte did 4 years ago. Why she has said nothing is beyond me, as this debate is destructive to the CAGOP cause.

 

Dear CAGOP Delegate,

We wanted to express our heartfelt gratitude to you for joining the mission to save our bold, unmistakable California Republican Party platform from being watered down to the “pale pastels” that President Reagan warned us about. Thank you for joining the fight to stand firm in our core beliefs!

Since last Friday, scores of delegates, including esteemed legislators and grassroots leaders, have rallied behind our cause. Your unwavering support demonstrates the strength and unity within our Party when we unite around our fundamental values.

To ensure that the CAGOP remains a stronghold of conservative values, we must expand our coalition. As you’ve seen in the original email, it’s crucial that more voices join our cause, fortifying our resolve to uphold these principles.

We are calling on each of you to assist us by sharing the original email we sent (SEE BELOW) with fellow delegates and elected officials in our Party network. Encourage them to join our mission by adding their signatures. Together, we can make a resounding statement about our commitment to preserving our platform. We are deeply grateful for your support and assistance in this matter.

Respectfully,

Harmeet K. Dhillon
California RNC National Committeewoman

Ted Gaines
Board of Equalization Member

Fred M. Whitaker
Chairman – Republican Party of Orange County.

Paula Whitsell
Chairwoman, Republican Party of San Diego County

Matt Heath
Chairman, Sonoma County Republican Party

Mike Morrell
Former California State Senator

Tony Krvaric
Chairman Emeritus, Republican Party of San Diego County

Doug LaMalfa
U.S. House of Representatives, CA-1

Michelle Steel
U.S. House of Representatives, CA-45

Young Kim
U.S. House of Representatives, CA-40

Janet Nguyen
California State Senate, District 36

Joe Patterson
California State Assembly, District 5

Jim Patterson
California State Assembly, District 8

Phillip Chen
California State Assembly, District 59

Tri Ta
California State Assembly, District 70

Kate Sanchez
California State Assembly, District 71

Diane Dixon
California State Assembly, District 72

Laurie Davies
California State Assembly, District 74

Scott Baugh
OCGOP and CRP Endorsed Candidate for CA-47

Brian Maryott
2022 Nominee for CA-49

Laurie Wallace
Northern Regional Vice Chair

Randall Jordan
Central Coast Regional Vice Chair

John Dennis
Chair of the County Chairmen’s Association and of the San Francisco GOP

Todd White
Chair, El Dorado County GOP

Bob Zane
Chair, Modoc County GOP

Mac Young
Chair, Nevada County GOP

Mark Wright
Chair, Placer County GOP

Matthew Dobler
Chair, Riverside County GOP

Anna Kramer
Chair, San Mateo County GOP

Dan Sloan
Chair, Shasta County GOP

Dan Dorsey
Chair, Siskiyou County GOP

Lloyd Leighton
Chair, Sutter County GOP

Michael Holtsclaw
Chair, Tehama County GOP

Dan Brown
Chair, Yolo County GOP

Johanna Lassaga
Chair, Yuba County GOP

Siaka Massaquoi
Vice Chair, Los Angeles GOP

Vicky Reinke
Treasurer, Calaveras County GOP

Jack Mercica
LAGOP AD-41 Central Committee Vice Chair

Emily Lares
LAGOP AD-56 Central Committee Treasurer

Sep 252023
 

Poor little guy didn’t know when to retire.

So, let’s say you are a Republican running in a D+7 District (like, say, Greg Wallis or Josh Hoover). Do you walk down Main Street beating your chest, screaming Abortion is Murder?

Apparently, Steve Frank and DJ Hamburger – known as the Frank-Hamburger alliance think this is the way to win the SD-23 election. Mr. Frank has yet to be able to win an election in the CAGOP. I am unsure what makes the 50-year veteran of losing Republican politics think 2024 is the year it all changes.

Let’s talk about Suzette Martinez. At least she was Suzette Martinez when I met her 20 years ago. Unlike many now in the legislature, Suzette started out as an activist, came up through the ranks that way, and got the attention of former Congressman Buck McKeon and others. She got her first job in that arena around the time I met her.

Like many in this game in California, I’ve known them since they were teenagers or barely older. Suzette is no exception. Her married name is Suzette Valladares, which is how most of you know her.

But, I will leave it to NARAL to summarize the Suzette Valladares I know:

NARAL Pro-Choice California Director Shannon Olivieri Hovis released the following statement:

“Voters in Assembly District 40 must not be misled by this deceptive mail piece claiming that anti-choice Republican Assemblymember Suzette Valladares supports reproductive freedom. To be crystal clear, Valladares earned an “F” onNARALPro-Choice California’s Reproductive Freedom Legislative Scorecard. Time and again, Valladares has voted against reproductive freedom: she voted against bills to protect Californians from criminalization for pregnancy outcomes, stabilize California’s abortion provider network, ensure that all people regardless of income can access abortion care, and much more. The mail piece is dangerous and entirely misrepresentative of Valladares’ dismal record on reproductive freedom.

When the chief pushers of Abortion in California go that berserk on a candidate, it should tell anyone that the Frank-Hamburger alliance is a Barbeque of Bulls–t. (More on that soon) I disagree with Suzette’s vote on the ballot measure thing, but she still got straight F’s from Murder, Inc.

When in AD-40, Valladares earned an A Rating from the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, a glowing recommendation from the Cal-Chamber as an advocate for business in California, and an A Rating from the NRA.

From the near-hysterical emails being sent, you would think that Suzette wanted your children to have sex changes. The only “Republican” to vote yes on the version of AD1184 that passed was Jordan Cunningham. During the multi-vote process that creates bills, even diehards like Kevin Kiley and Shannon Grove had abstentions recorded into the record! Should they be put in the Barbeque of purity as well?

In a D+7 district, having someone like Suzette is better than the usual Republican who would represent such a district! (See also Jordan Cunningham)

The Suzette I know has volunteered hundreds of hours for candidates. I’ve seen it. She was also a CRA member for years.

It is rare to see someone successfully transition from activist to major officeholder; Suzette is one of the few who did.

I will go ahead and conclude with this. There is a reason why the transition from Activist to Officeholder is so tricky. Often, activists do stuff that comes back to haunt them later when they try to reinvent themselves into the mainstream; activists are extremely difficult to work with as candidates and most activists need to learn or care to raise money for their campaigns. These three things apply to Suzette’s Republican opponent, D.J. Hamburger.

With that, Right on Daily Endorses Suzette Valladares for SD23