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:
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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:
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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:
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
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:
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.
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:
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.