Oct 242024
 

Blogger’s Note: I have been focused on a lot of local elections in the North State of CA. As such, I have not been blogging so as not to divert the focus from the election at hand and my candidates. It is good to be busy.

That said, if you are not Knocking on Doors and Making Calls, you are losing. Rallies and Overpasses make you feel good but do nothing for the overall election.

FPPC Files Injunction as Part of Broader Pre-Election Compliance Efforts

Sacramento, CA – The Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC), California’s governmental ethics and campaign disclosure agency, is intensifying its pre-election compliance and enforcement efforts with a focus on transparency and voter access to critical campaign information. As part of these efforts, the FPPC today filed a Complaint for Injunctive Relief and Monetary Penalties in Butte County Superior Court against David Fennell, a candidate for State Senate, District 1, in the November 5, 2024 General Election.

Fennell, who has a history of failing to comply with California’s campaign disclosure laws, has not filed the required campaign statements for the upcoming election, depriving the public of vital information regarding his campaign’s finances. This legal action is a significant step in the FPPC’s larger initiative to ensure all candidates adhere to the Political Reform Act and provide full disclosure to voters ahead of Election Day.

“The FPPC’s proactive pre-election program is designed to ensure that voters have the information they need to make informed decisions at the ballot box,” said FPPC Enforcement Chief James Lindsay. “While our goal is compliance, not punishment, we are fully prepared to seek court orders to compel candidates to fulfill their legal obligations, when necessary, as we have done today with Mr. Fennell.”

The FPPC has been working diligently to identify non-compliant candidates through its Proactive Pre-Election Program, which engages local city and county clerks to monitor campaign filings. However, despite numerous outreach attempts, Fennell and his campaign have failed to file pre-election statements for the upcoming November General Election, necessitating this legal intervention.

The FPPC is asking the court to order Fennell and his committee to immediately file all outstanding campaign statements and reports. The court could also impose penalties in an amount yet to be determined.

“Our goal is to ensure every candidate complies with the law so that voters have access to the legally required information,” said FPPC Chair Adam E. Silver. “Today’s injunction against Mr. Fennell underscores the FPPC’s commitment to transparency and enforcement in the critical weeks leading up to Election Day.”

This action is part of a broader series of FPPC pre-election efforts, including the FPPC AdWATCH program, which allows the public to report improper political advertisements, and the prioritization of election-related complaints.

For more information on the FPPC’s enforcement programs and how to report non-compliant political advertisements, visit the FPPC AdWATCH portal on the FPPC website at https://link.edgepilot.com/s/0318a6a3/F2623ETIlU6zfK0g0H8WSQ?u=http://www.fppc.ca.gov/enforcement/adwatch.html.

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What is key here is the line: “Fennell, who has a history of failing to comply with California’s campaign disclosure laws, has not filed the required campaign statements for the upcoming election…

Please note that several GOP Central Committees have endorsed this guy and it appears he is in legal trouble for breaking the law based on the above. This is a terrible look for the GOP in the North State. Further, it was brought to my attention that Fennell sued the CAGOP again earlier this year and the lawsuit was dismissed. Fennell still owes the CAGOP a lot of money from a lawsuit he filed over a decade ago that he lost so bad the court awareded fees.

Please click here to see a PDF of the Press Release from the FPPC

Sep 262024
 

That’s correct. $92.66.

She will tell you that she has $21,718.69 in the bank. (Remember her $20,000 loan to herself?) The problem for Tenessa is that her report also shows $21,626.03 in debt for a difference of $92.66.

Fundraiser #EPICFAIL

I have a few friends that are insiders in the political scene that have breathlessly repeated the “Heather does not show up” lie. She has put 70,000 miles on her car since launching her campaign for Assembly, and the work is paying off. I believe their cagyness has to do with future aspirations and Tenessa Audette’s former campaign consultant Dave Gilliard. (FYI – Dave Gilliard does not show up on this current report and debt or a payee, has she parted ways from him?)

While Tenessa had such an incredible night with Ted Gaines and Shannon Grove (but reports not a single dime received from Gaines), that may have netted $2,000 (with strong tailwind and 50% inflation)… the brutal reality is setting in.

These same insider friends referenced above have been openly hostile and/or cagy regarding Heather Hadwick, but I know none of these critics know her at all. My suggestion is that it is time to break free of the Gilliard brainwashing, and the emotional activism and get to know Hadwick. There is a practical reason:

Cycle to date Tenessa has raised $84K, with only $23,577 coming this reporting period. Tenessa spent every last dime of that money on a ballot statement, one slate card and $1,100 worth of ads. She is now clinging to a balance of just over the $20,000 she lent herself. The acid test is if she is actually going to spend that money.

Hadwick, cycle to date has raised $175,815.50. FYI – the Park Political listed on her report as a payee is my company. This reporting period alone, Hadwick has knocked down $55,719. Hint, the financial pounding is going to continue.

Given the absolute abortion of a finance report I have seen from Tenessa Audette, your intrepid blogger now has context for several behavorial maladies exhibited by Mrs. Audette. It has been a veritable Cross-Fit Workout of political mistakes. These would include abusing the State of the City address to promote her campaign for assembly, running a campaign on rumors, incessantly calling would-be endorsers and hounding them, claiming endorsements she does not have, trafficking in debunked lies about her opponent… basically doing everything but raising money. (You know, like where’s the check from Ted Gaines?)

You do stuff like this to overcompensate for a campaign that is has become the aftermath of a 4H club meeting. (But she can’t afford the tools needed to clean up the mess)

Speaking of the aftermath of a 4H club meeting, The activist community has used a mistake on a Modoc GOP questionnaire and has spread it around the district accusing Heather Hadwick of being pro-choice. Your intrepid blogger was asked about this months ago by a couple of those folks and I addressed it then. However Audette (and others) have repeatedly aborted the truth pushing the admitted error for political gain. This is not dissimilar to the national astroturf campaign of Kamala Harris.

Speaking of Astroturf, it took Doug LaMalfa’s staff taking over the Shasta GOP and 6 votes to get an “endorsement” for Tenessa in her own backyard. At that, the circumstances of said endorsement are suspect. Remember: Brenda Haynes and Erin Ryan were both trained in political craft by one David Stafford Reade (But are nowhere as good at is as Reade is)- interesting how these are now the good guys in the minds of the activists that have been getting screwed by that crew for years! (Don’t worry guys, the LaMalfa crew will be back opposing all the activist candidates for CRP office soon!)

Lest you think the LaMalfa endorsement is a big deal, Haynes and Ryan have had his stuff in a lockbox for years and we all knew the endorsement was coming eventually. (More on Ryan and Haynes later)

Now this whole crew has attached themselves to the crazed Mayor of a crime ridden city that is broke and on tilt. $92.66.

Hi Guys!

Mrs. Audette – allow your intrepid blogger to give you some life advice. Reimburse yourself for the $20,000 loan you will never spend and call it a day. Heck, you are still the Brown Act Mayor of Redding so there’s that.

Jul 312024
 

But Tenessa is the MAYOR of Redding (you know that brown act thing where she knew two months before it happened)… and it looks like the residents of the Crime-Riddled City are sooo happy to be there.

Scene shot at appx 10AM 7-30-2024, in the Redding City Council Chambers.

The context for the photo is the outrage over the City of Redding’s mismanagement of the “Major League Dreams” kids baseball league complex. The ownership announced an abrput closure mid-season of the facility. Whoops. I guess the ruling junta of the City Council was too busy trying to make sure the fairgrounds changed hands to pay attention…

and Tenessa was also preoccupied with attempting to lynch planning commissioners, too. The same Joshua Johnson that was supposed to benefit from the lynching turns out to be a donor to Tenessa as well. Cozy. Given how few donors Audette has, it was pretty easy to find the money so to speak.

We posted about Tenessa Audette’s pathetic Campaign Finance Filing.

As for Tenessa’s Campaign Finance Report, your intrepid blogger has linked it here so you don’t have to look for it. (Because I care)

Tenessa has $28,541.38 in her account.

She has $20,975.00 in debt.

This leaves Madam Mayor (of one of the highest crime-rate cities in California) with $7,572.38 net in her account as of 6-30.

When you add in that Tenessa lent herself $20,000, that makes the numbers even more painful.

When you look at Tenessa’s total haul from 2-15 through 6-30, it is $33,300 and $20,000 of it is her loan to herself.

Today, I was given a copy of Heather Hadwick’s Campign Finance Report.

Heather Hadwick reports raising $98,604, with $82,004.33 in the bank. Note that Hadwick HAS NOT LENT HERSELF any money. She reported $26,693.24 in debts. This means Hadwick has $55,351.09 net as of 6-30. (Hint, she has more than that now, but keep that between us)

This means that Hadwick raised nearly 8 Times as much money as Tenessa and when you include Tenessa’s loan to herself, it is still Triple.

Regardless of what your measurement is, Hadwick has nearly 8 times as much money for her campaign as Tenessa as of 6-30. (55,300 to 7,500)

Given there is a gigantic fire impacting AD01, the following donations mean a lot more than they may have previously:

Cal Fire Local 2881: $1500

CHP: $3000

California Forestry Association: $1500

CA Professional Firefighters: $3000 total ($2K on this report)

It looks like Madam (pre-arranged) Mayor has nothing but Drama and Trouble in her own backyard, and is broke to boot. Audette has zero path to victory without having a massive showing in Shasta County. It appears that her leadership of the City of Redding is toxic.

Heather?

“I’m endorsing Heather for Assembly. Heather Hadwick embodies the integrity, proven leadership and ability to collaborate that our District needs in its representative,” said Mezzano. “She is in this race for the right reasons. I proudly stand behind her candidacy and urge all voters to join me in supporting Heather for a better California.”

Money is the mother’s milk of politics. Hadwick has 8 times as much as her opponent.

Jul 262024
 

But, but, but Aaron Heather Hadwick never shows up to anything. (Blogger looks at Heather’s calendar 3-5 events a day deep and shrugs)

But but but Aaron Tenessa is campaigning hard. You know, like going to events in Rocklin outside her district or to the RNC Convention.

Tenessa’s next-to-most-recent post as of 7-26-2024 on her campaign Facebook Page

Heather Hadwick was in the district doing stuff (like raising money and participating in events), and just today had this post about current events affecting AD-01:

Recently (in the last 5 days), Heather posted about being at the Sac Metro FD (yes out of district), with the California Professional Firefighters (all over the district). She posted about a meet and greet in Nevada County, Meeting with the Northern California State Farm Agents, Being at a Fair in Lassen County, and mixed in are personal posts about her family and their involvement in ranching / farming in the Modoc County area.

Tenessa has posted once in the last 9 days, announcing a meet and greet on August 3rd. Further investigation shows several appearances outside of AD01 among her posts of the last 6 weeks.

But Heather does not show up to anything? Right? This is what I keep hearing from the same people and the source traces back to one office in the suburban Sacramento Area with a satellite in Redding.

It looks like the donors know the truth. Let me give my readers a hint, Heather will only be sleeping in her own bed about 7 times between July 4 and Labor Day. Meantime, Tenessa has gone broke and her camp is probably sweating the release of Hadwick’s 6-30-2024 report.

As for Tenessa’s Campaign Finance Report, your intrepid blogger has linked it here so you don’t have to look for it. (Because I care)

Tenessa has $28,541.38 in her account.

She has $20,975.00 in debt.

This leaves Madam Mayor (of one of the highest crime-rate cities in California) with $7,572.38 net in her account as of 6-30.

When you add in that Tenessa lent herself $20,000, that makes the numbers even more painful.

Let’s look at the major scores on her report:

Laborers International Union! #muhunion – kinda makes it hard to whine about yoonyuns and liberulz, huh? $6500!

Billy Essayli and Shannon Grove teamed up for $8000! (While Essayli has acheived folk hero status in the grassroots, he is about as well liked as COVID in Sacramento)

The crazed Geri Byrne (who I have known and observed for 22 years now) gave her $100 as did the similarly gifted Ned Coe. Your intrepid blogger has always said endorsements don’t matter unless they come with money. $500 in the primary and $200 in the general is chump change and with the baggage those two bring to the playing field I’d rather put dirt in my campaign gastank.

In 4.5 Months, Audette reports raising $33,300. Allow your intrepid blogger to point out that Heather Hadwick rasied that much in two days. $16,500 here and $21,900 here – including another $5,500 from that School Administrators group that also donated to Kevin Kiley and Joe Patterson and James Gallagher and…

Now your intrepid blogger understands why Audette and crew are forced to repeat a rumor created in Modoc County + using an error on a candidate questionnaire to try to advance their cause. The objective measures, including the primary results show that Audette is losing. Bad.

 

Heather Hadwick pictured with Lassen County Rancher and State Senator Brian Dahle

P.S. A fourth attempt to secure an endorsement from the Shasta County GOP also failed… Not a good couple months for Madam Mayor.

Jul 102024
 

As an evangelical Christian myself, it pains me to have to take on a Church. I am of the opinion that Bethel Church is out of control and has created the 2024 equivalent of Tammany Hall in Redding. This is the conclusion I have drawn from observing the way that outfit is doing business and from the behavior of their shivering denizens in office. Bethel Church is the single largest political influence machine in Shasta County, that is irrefutable.

Tammany Hall was a notorious scandal that evolved and recurred over a century where influence was bought and sold by a small group of business moguls. I am not sure who the Boss Tweed in Redding is, but give your intrepid blogger time…

Here is a link to Tenessa’s campaign finance report to validate the above.

Tenessa Audette took $400 from Joshua Johnson…

Who is Joshua Johnson? Joshua Johnson is a Bethel-Church connected member (and a well-heeled developer) who was Tenessa’s choice to be appointed to planning commission and later was appointed to fill Michael D’Acquisto’s vacancy on the Redding City Council. Just recently, a bunch of Bethel Church-Connected people brokered a deal to arrange the election of City Councilmembers.

Joshua Johnson was appointed to fill Michael Dacquisto’s vacant seat on the Redding City Council on Tuesday in a meeting that took a surprising turn when former Mayor Erin Resner announced during her opening statement that she was withdrawing her name from consideration.

However, Resner said that she will run in November to serve out the remaining two years of Dacquisto’s term.

The council voted 3-1 to temporarily appoint Johnson rather than leave the seat open until the Nov. 5 election, with Councilman Mark Mezzano casting the lone dissenting vote.

Dacquisto, who resigned recently due to health concerns, encouraged the council at its July 2 meeting to leave the seat open, echoing others who said appointing someone would give that person an unfair advantage were they to run in November.

Erin Resner, Joshua Johnson, Tenessa Audette, Julie Winter and the other councilmember that voted to appoint Johnson go to Bethel Church. Bethel has been openly recruiting and supporting people for local office in Shasta County, and elsewhere. Google the New Apostolic movement to understand more what they are doing.

“Let this also serve as my official announcement of intent to run for the partial term in the general election. This decision reflects my continued commitment to serving our community and ensuring we have experienced and dedicated leadership guiding us forward. This approach is a testament to what it looks like to work together, find practical solutions and avoid unnecessary chaos or division,” Resner added.

Johnson said he will run for one of the two four-year seats in November. Both Mezzano and Vice Mayor Julie Winter are up for re-election. Mayor Tenessa Audette’s seat also would be vacated if she wins the state District 1 Assembly election in November.

Redding is one of the few cities left in California that vote at-large. It was put to your intrepid blogger that a deal was cut to make sure Johnson got the appointment because he lacks the Name ID that Resner has. The Bethel plan is to defeat Mark Mezzano in favor of Johnson, Resner and Winter.

We have already seen brown act violations by Tenessa Audette regarding her calling herself mayor 2 months before the acutal appointment. Further details emerged on the insider deal to make Audette Mayor of Redding.

So we have a pattern of insider deals. We have an erstwhile planning commissioner who donated to the Mayor of Redding who then led the effort to appoint him to the council? At best this is a violation of the California Law that requires a 12 month cooling off period (SB1439) between a donation and voting on items that affect the donor. At worst this is a felony, such as selling influence.

Still not convinced? Look at Josh Johnson’s 2022 Campaign filings – did I mention that he ran for council in 2022? Then look at Tenessa’s current site…

Wait what? That’s right – Tenessa Audette’s personal cell phone is the contact for Josh Johnson’s campaign on the California Secretary of State’s website. Cozy.

Bethel Church may see themselves as leaders in the supernatural arena, given that they have some sort of college about that stuff. But their efforts at good old fashioned politics are running afoul of the values they claim to be promoting in their organization. It is time for the leadership of Bethel to denounce this behavior and for these two – Audette and Johnson to resign in disgrace for the corruption this appears to show.

This AD-01 race is getting ugly in a hurry.