Jan 152020
 

Conservative Stalwarts Like Tom McClintock, Doug LaMalfa and Devin Nunes supporting him, that’s what.

We’ve written about what a disaster Tim Donnelly is, now here is a stark contrast:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Ross Sevy
Ross@ElectJay.com, (760) 553-3028

BREAKING NEWS: Jay Obernolte Receives Unanimous Endorsement from California Republican Congressional Delegation

Obernolte Receives Endorsement from California’s 6 Republican
Congressional Members in Bid for California’s 8th District

HESPERIA, CA – Today, State Assemblyman Jay Obernolte announced he has received the unanimous endorsement of California’s Republican congressional delegation in his bid for the 8th congressional district. After Congressman Paul Cook’s decision to retire, Obernolte, a State Assemblyman and business owner, entered the race to represent the 8th District and quickly consolidated support from all major Republican leaders.

“We need representatives in Washington with integrity and conviction who will defend our values and put the American people first. Jay Obernolte is a strong conservative who will fight for what’s right, and that’s why I’m proud to endorse him for Congress,” stated Congressman Devin Nunes.

Recently, Obernolte announced the endorsement of House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy who is now joined by the state’s full Republican delegation in backing Obernolte’s campaign:

  • Rep. Paul Cook, incumbent

  • House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy

  • Rep. Devin Nunes

  • Rep. Ken Calvert

  • Rep. Doug LaMalfa

  • Rep. Tom McClintock

Along with the D.C. Representatives, Obernolte has overwhelming local support, including the California Republican Party, the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, the mayors of all 13 cities in the congressional district, and over 50 local elected officials.

“I am very honored to have the support of Congressman Nunes and the Republican California Delegation. These Congressmen have proudly and diligently represented California in Washington and I hope to join their ranks so we can protect taxpayers and safeguard the liberties of our constituents,” said Assemblyman Jay Obernolte.

Oct 042019
 

This is an easy call. Jay is one of the few Republicans in Partisan office that I respect. Anyone that reads this blog knows that I am not shy with my criticism of Republicans for their leadership failures or hypocrisies and am deign to respect Republican officeholders in general.

Jay Obernolte had the courage to be the first to stand up to Chad Mayes during the Cap and Trade Disaster. (Note: Mayes has endorsed Jay) He has also been available to almost every Republican Group and has been a fixture at conventions. Jay has been solid on issues of conscience and has been consistent with the Republican Party Platform in his record.

I believe Jay Obernolte is one of the few Partisan Republican Officeholders who is what he says he is. Beyond Jay’s impressive resume and life – his authenticity alone would be reason enough to support him.

I strongly urge any Republican thinking about running for CA-08 to get out of the race and support Jay.

Here is some recent stuff from Jay’s Campaign:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact: Ross Sevy
Ross@ElectJay.com, (760) 553-3028

Local Taxpayer Associations Endorse Jay Obernolte for Congress

HESPERIA, CA – Today, Assemblyman Jay Obernolte announced he has received the endorsement of prominent taxpayer associations in California’s 8th Congressional District, which includes all or portions of Inyo, Mono and San Bernardino Counties. Assemblyman Obernolte received the endorsement of:

The Inland Empire Taxpayers Association

The High Desert Taxpayers Association

President of the Inland Empire Taxpayers Association, Chris Collier stated, “Jay Obernolte has always opposed new or higher taxes. Whether it was fighting against the cap-and-trade carbon tax, the gas tax or the proposed tax on drinking water, Jay Obernolte has been a champion for taxpayers. In Congress we know he will not only work to keep taxes on working families low, but also cut wasteful government spending, force the government to balance its budget and pay down debt. Jay Obernolte is exactly the kind of taxpayer advocate we need in Congress and that’s why he has our support and endorsement.”

“I have always fought to put taxpayers first, and make sure our government was efficient and effective, not wasteful,” Obernolte stated. “In Congress I will work to reduce the national debt and the federal deficit so we pass on an effective and solvent government to future generations.”

Jay Obernolte started FarSight Studios, a software development company, in his college dorm room. Since then, he has created hundreds of well-paying, livable wage jobs and today, his local small business employs dozens of residents in the 8th Congressional District. Jay also has 14 years of experience in public service.  He is currently serving a third term representing the 33rd Assembly District in the California State Legislature, which includes over 65% of the 8th Congressional District’s voters. Jay has been married to his wife Heather for 23 years and they have two sons, Hale and Troy. More information about Jay can be found on his website at www.ElectJay.com

Aug 082017
 

I want to repeat a couple things:

I know Jay Obernolte to be an ethical, honest man of integrity. I trust his judgement, but some things have been happening around him that give me pause. This is a report of insider machinations that needs to be made so that the rest of us understand what is happening.

On Tue of last week, I spoke to Mr. Obernolte on condition of confidentiality. He indicated that a few people had approached him about running for leader. I said nothing until He had started making calls and it got out.

Jay is extremely intelligent, successful in life and has an excellent work ethic. In short, he has the skill set to do the job.

All of the positive attributes I lavish on Jay Obernolte also apply to Melissa Melendez – the key difference between the two is that Melissa is a full-portfolio Conservative. Jay is not. Melissa is rumored to be looking at running for leader. If Melissa ran against Jay Obernolte and I had a vote – it would be extremely difficult to choose as it would pit a long-term high school friend I respect against a Conservative hero.

The Republican Caucus in the legislature is 25 members. You need 13 in order to get elected leader. At one point Vince Fong of Bakersfield had 10-11 lined up. It is alleged that Mr. Obernolte has 15 as of today, I believe the number is in the 10-13 range with a lot in flux. What I hope is that Vince Fong and Melissa Melendez are tapped by Jay for key roles in the team and they avoid a meltdown in the 8/22 Caucus meeting.

Events are leading me to believe that the “Leadership / Donor community” is rolling off of Chad Mayes and on to Jay Obernolte for leader. Either Jay locked up the votes and forced them to join in or there is an anointing going on. This will make it extremely difficult for Melissa Melendez or anyone else to get to 13, and this may also be part of the nexus for some of a few key pieces of evidence:

  1. CA GOP Chairman Jim Brulte, who has been lambasted for appearing to be defending Chad Mayes in recent weeks has now started making calls on Obernolte’s behalf. Was Brulte one of those that had talked to Mr. Obernolte about replacing Chad Mayes? (Update: Mr. Brulte indicated that while he did call legislators, he did not discuss Jay Obernolte or the leadership fight specifically)
  2. Mr. Brulte and Mr. Obernolte are indeed close, Brulte has flown several times on Mr. Obernolte’s jet to events or vacations.
  3. It is alleged that Chad Mayes will be “passing the baton” to Jay Obernolte – by stepping aside and asking his leadership team that have not committed to Jay to commit to him. (This may have already happened, contributing to the estimated vote count of 15)
  4. David Stafford Reade, a key lieutenant in the leadership team was the maker of the motion on the Yolo GOP last night (8/7/2017) to endorse the removal of Chad Mayes as leader. This suggests that the donor community has also pivoted with Mr. Brulte away from Mayes and onto Obernolte.
  5. It is alleged that Jay is making deals with individual members for their participation and support. This is smart politics.

I have ripped on Chevron incessantly for their lavish spending on liberal Republicans as a part of the small crew of large donors. They and other Oil Companies popped up with large amounts of money donated during the run up to the cap and trade disaster.

Three other Assembly lawmakers who are not typically swing votes also received more than $10,000 from oil interests. They are Democrat Blanca Rubio, who backed the deal, and Republicans Jay Obernolte and Vince Fong, who opposed it.

While the money concerns me, it is standard fair for industry to lobby and spread cash out during major bills. Seeing arch-conservative Fong and Mr. Obernolte bring in similar amounts of Oil Money concerns me less. I was indeed told by an oil man that the oil industry dodged a major bullet with the Cap and Trade bill – don’t worry, there is always next year for the democrats.

I have several questions for an Obernolte leadership tenure:

Since Jay has been with his wife since I first met him in 1985 (she was his girlfriend then), I know that the recent string of Republican leaders who have used the CA GOP as a dating service or their position of government power as a mating/dating service will end with Jay as he is a faithful man. Will Mr. Obernolte enforce some sort of personal discipline standard on his team?

Joe Justin is one of the best campaign consultants I have ever met. Working with him on the Bill Halldin Campaign was one of the best experiences of my career as an operative. I’d recommend him to anyone who wants to win election.

However, I have been fiercely critical of his part in the drill for the cap and trade deal, his potential conflicts of interest and his very liberal ideology for a Republican. There is another man by the last name of Zimmerman that appears to have a similar pedigree within the capitol staff (he is not a campaign guy in addition like Joe is). Zimmerman was brought in after disgraced former permanent minority leader Kristen Olsen purged all of the old-school conservatives and brought in new, inexperienced younger caucus staff.

Will Jay Obernolte bring in new staff that are Conservative Republicans who are dedicated to their jobs (aka free of potential conflicts) who will give good solid advice to the Assembly Republicans, or will the Kristen Olsen staffers continue?

Will Jay Obernolte allow the “One-Ask-Program” to be dismantled as Chad Mayes had threatened to do on his way out the door? Will Mr. Obernolte keep it in place, thus securing 80% of the CA GOP’s budget for several years to come? (This, by the way is why “leadership” has so much influence in the CA GOP) Will Obernolte figure out another arrangement to keep the CA GOP solvent?

What will Jay Obernolte’s role in CAGOP leadership be? Who does he support to replace Kristen Olsen, Jim Brulte? What does he do to rally the demoralized and enraged grassroots?

I am going to finish this update by saying that I trust Jay Obernolte as a man. I am concerned that some around him could manipulate him in to a similarly destructive course as happened to Chad Mayes.

He has the skill set and the potential to be extremely effective for the California Republican Party and I am cheering for him to succeed.

Aug 052017
 

By now, all of us that are interested in the California Republican Party know that Chad Mayes betrayed his wife, the California Republican Party and the Taxpayers of California.

In the last several days I have learned the following:

  1. Jim Brulte informed the CRP Board of directors that the Joint Fundraising Agreement that has existed since the enactment of Prop 34 was going to be terminated. Someone (Chad Mayes?) then directed Joe Justin, the consultant and brains behind the Cap and Trade deal to unwind the agreement. It is apparent that Mr. Mayes has had disdain for this fundraising agreement almost the entire time he has been leader. This “Power Move” appears to have been in response to…
  2. The CAGOP Board is meeting on 8/18 and is going to call on Chad Mayes to resign. The Joint Fundraising agreement accounts for about 80% of the CAGOP’s budget and is a powerful threat to keep people in line. In order for the threat to have teeth, Mayes will have to survive the leadership vote on 8/22, as a new leader (Obernolte) is going to keep it in place.
  3. CAGOP Chairman Jim Brulte is alleged to have thrown procedural roadblocks against an emergency CAGOP Board meeting, phone meeting, Skype meeting or on line meeting of the CAGOP board in order to delay them meeting to hammer Mayes. It takes 8 board members to call a meeting and 15 to make it happen. This means that it is as likely that it would have been a waste of time as there was significant doubt that a resolution would be occurring. So were there 8 people that would call the meeting? Or if this move was 100% Mr. Brulte, then combined with the threat to shut down 80% of the budget, it establishes a pattern of Mr. Brulte taking an overt and hostile action out in the open for the first time in his chairmanship.
  4. When the Mayes story first broke, the donors mentioned in previous posts and the employees of those donors were out defending Mr. Mayes. They are pretty silent publicly at this point.
  5. It has been put to me that should Chad Mayes get unseated as Permanent Minority Leader, that he will resign from the Assembly completely as his long term political ambition (CA-08 to replace the ailing Paul Cook) will have been effectively decimated.
  6. I was reminded that I had been told months ago that Jim Brulte was planning on resigning as CAGOP Chairman by Labor Day to pave the way for Kristen Olsen. I asked him several months ago when I heard the rumor if it was true, and Mr. Brulte told me he was finishing his current term. Was that rumor ultimately true after all?
  7. Kristen Olsen is NOT resigning as CAGOP Vice Chair. She is appearing to be playing the victim card and prefers the CAGOP Board to expel her rather than do the last honorable thing and resign. Worse, it is alleged that Ms. Olsen and Mr. Mayes have both moved on from each other to new relationships. Good God.
  8. CAGOP Chairman Jim Brulte appears to be caught in a mess of his own making, did he know that Kristen was having an affair with Mayes when he appointed her CAGOP Vice Chair? Did Mr. Brulte have clients of his consulting firm that benefited from Mayes’ Cap and Trade Deal? (I asked him and he indicated he knew of none) Is Mr. Brulte angling, like it appears Ms. Olsen is to try “suicide by cop” as in goading the CAGOP Board in to expelling him?
  9. Somewhere Joe Justin has to be asking himself what went wrong, as he grossly underestimated the blowback and the absolute outrage over the second largest tax increase in state history. (Justin is both a political consultant and Chad Mayes Chief of Staff)
  10. One of the heroes of this saga, Joseph Turner somehow received a copy of a confidential memo leaked from either the Assembly Rules Committee or the Assembly Ethics Committee. Someone had it out for Jim Brulte, Kirsten Olsen, Chad Mayes or all three. The memo was an ethics complaint written by Ms. Olsen’s soon to be ex-husband related to the affair between her and Mr. Mayes. Who sent Turner the Memo? Why? Remember, I had someone verbally leak to me the Rules Committee’s termination of Ted Gaines’ serial sexual harasser former staffer Steve Davey – so leaks from the rules committee are not unheard of.
  11. Jay Obernolte, an Assemblymember who represents the district formerly infested by Tim Donnelly is now running against Chad Mayes for leader.

I knew Jay Obernolte in High School. His life and mine took wildly different paths in the 30+ years since. Jay is a multi-millionaire and self-made. He is a man of ethics and integrity. He has been with the same woman since I knew him in High School 30+ years ago (it was 1985!).

Jay is not as conservative as I am, but he is extremely intelligent, thoughtful and deliberate. He will make good decisions and can always be reasoned with and pulled to the right if need be.

I trust Jay Obernolte and you should too. As to the rest of this mess, chalk it up as the latest disappointment in the life of a CAGOP Activist.