California Republican Assembly

CRA Update: A Write Up on Their 2023 Convention

Apr 242023

First Off – Here are the Results of the Officer Elections:

2023 Annual Convention

Officer Election Results

Executive Vice President

Davina Keiser – 105 votes ***

Dale Tyler – 29 votes

Vice President (5 Positions)

Jim Shoemaker – 112 votes ***

Katherine Loy – 111 votes ***

Rich Handy – 101 votes ***

David Marko – 93 votes ***

Jo Reitkopp – 86 votes ***

Greg Perrone – 73 votes

Dean Gross – 53 votes

Membership Secretary

Zonya Townsend – 100 votes

Rich Marshall – 62 votes

Voter Registration Secretary

Karl George – 122 votes ***

Martha Flores-Gibson – 35 votes

Treasurer

Pat Garcia – 94 votes ***

Baron Night – 66 votes

National Committeeman

Bill Cardoza – 113 votes ***

Jong Lee – 48 votes

National Committeewoman

Nancy Hinton – 123 votes ***

Eveyln Jones – 38 votes

*** Elected (Two-year term of office)

Please Note: Carl Brickey was Elected President, Greg Goehring Recording Secretary, PJ Garcia Corresponding Secretary, Greg Qunath Asst. Treasurer, Paul Beckley Sgt. at Arms. with no opposition.

Here is the bottom line about the CRA convention as I have aggregated several people’s input. The Old Guard of CRA attempted the standard array of tricks at the convention, including picking floor fights and losing them all badly. It seems that the same thing I wrote about the RCC held true at CRA, some folks can’t let go or accept that the political winds have shifted.

The bottom line is that CRA is the only GOP group not in decline. CRA is the premier anti-establishment GOP group in CA.

Since 2019 – CRA’s Membership has tripled. (See also 300% gain)

Since 2019 – The CRA has doubled the number of chapters… all of whom have real people and host real meetings.

Since 2019 – The CRA’s convention attendance has increased 250%.

Currently, 6 New CRA Chapters are in the works. George Yang is in the middle of several of these new groups helping CRA establish a presence in the Bay Area.

My guess is Brickey serves 4 Years as President of CRA as a transition from the old guard who are fading away and is a bridge to the next generation of conservative leaders. If successful, this becomes a model for other groups about how to sustain growth and effectiveness even while time marches on.

The results (growth of CRA) of the new generation of leaders speak for themselves.

To be continued…

P.S. I served as an officer of the CRA for 15 years. That era was characterized by constant fighting and drama. The chain of events that led to my expulsion was another series of fights. It appears that 2-3 years after I was expelled from CRA, the leadership finally got a handle on the fake clubs and a lot of the remaining bad actors. In 2019, the CRA had hit bottom and has been in a growth pattern since. Many of the combatants from those years are no longer in CRA and well over half the current chapters are brand new. This is exactly what was and is needed for a healthy CRA.

CAGOP / CRA Update: CRA Endorsements Announced with Two Days to Nomination Deadline

2022 Elections, California Republican Assembly, CRA 1 Response »

Mar 212022

If you are a conservative in California, grab this list. If you are a conservative CAGOP delegate, we need you to go in to the CAGOP system in the next 24 hours and nominate these people.

If you do not have your link and PIN number, email membership@cagop.org and get your stuff re-sent asap.

CRA Endorsements for Statewide Office, Board of Equalization, and US Senate

The following candidates were endorsed for statewide constitutional office, Board of Equalization, and United States Senate at the CRA 2022 Annual Convention:

Governor

Jenny Rae Le Roux

Lieutenant Governor

David Fennell

Secretary of State

Rachel Hamm

Controller

Lanhee Chen

Treasurer

Jack Guerrero

Attorney General

Eric Early

Insurance Commissioner

Robert Howell

Superintendent of Public Instruction

George Yang

Board of Equalization (District 1)

Ted Gaines

Board of Equalization (District 4)

Matthew Harper

U.S. Senate

Dr. Cordie Williams

Dear CRA – Now That You Are Growing Again, DON’T SCREW IT UP!

2021 Elections, California Republican Assembly 3 Responses »

Aug 172021

The venerable old California Republican Assembly. They have long been known as the conscience of the California Republican Party.

(((Please note the url has changed to www.rightondailyblog.com – please change your bookmarks.)))

Sometimes, such as their endorsement of the libertarian Larry Elder, they stray. It makes sense that a group like this would be populated with opinionated people who like to fight with each other a lot.

I’ve been told by more than one person that the CRA is gearing up for their latest donnybrook. Please stop. Having been in several CRA donnybrooks, I can still picture the dozens of good people run out the door by the fights. IT does not matter how right you think you are, the GOP is at 23% in California. Please try to resolve the differences without fratricide!

So, there are a group of CRA Units that disdain the new membership system and are fighting against it. Luddites have been a part of the CRA the entire time I have been familiar with the organization.

I’ve heard varied opinions about the effectiveness of Johnnie Morgan. Morgan got his start in CRA leadership because I recruited him to run against Bill Cardoza for National Committeeman and he beat Cardoza. The one thing I can say for certain, third terms in any office or organization are problematic.

Under Johnnie’s leadership the CRA appears to be growing again. They are a landing place for the remnants of Tea Party and Trump groups. IN Bakersfield, the once Mighty Bakersfield CRA unit is back with some 177 legitimate and real members.

Gone are the days of zombie paper units. (I fought those for years and it was a group of them that helped run me out of the CRA) For that alone, Johnnie deserves a medal.

The other thing that I find interesting is that people said to consist of John Paul White and someone who may or may not be Ben Chapman have been fighting against new CRA units in Orange County.

In Kern County, the allegedly conservative Shannon Grove has been fighting CRA’s resurgence in that area.

One of the best indicators an organization is moving is when there is active opposition, and this is a clear indicator that the CRA is on the right track.

So to the CRA – you have a good thing going, now deal with the drama internally and keep moving forward.

CAGOP Update: Despite LA Times Attempt to Interfere, Biden Supporting CAGOP Delegates Lit Up, Removal Demanded. Will Jessica Patterson Do Anything?

2020 Elections, California Republican Assembly, California Republican Party 1 Response »

Jul 232020

Or will she stick with her pattern of defending people that voted for her while hunting down delegates that did not? (Story Credit: Steve Frank / California Political News and Carl Brickey CRA Exec VP)

Note: The LA Times wrote a preemptive strike story on or about 7-20-2020 quoting Mike Madrid calling everyone KKK Members or something similar in an attempt to shunt the effect of this effort to deal with CAGOP Delegates openly campaigning against Republicans. My guess is that someone inside the CAGOP leaked the story to the LA Times in an effort to diffuse the bomb. If my hunch is true, it is the latest in a string of 1990’s era squish Republican moves that are foolish. Now for the story:

For close to a year The California Political News and Views has asked why are Mike Madrid (a Chad Mayes appointee) allowed to be a delegate to the California Republican Party. He is a founder of the notorious “Lincoln Project” and effort, financed by major Democrat donors, to defeat President Trump and SEVEN Republican U.S. Senators from around the nation. The California Republican Party Board of Directors has known about this—and ignored it. So, it meant that delegates had to file the official complaint, since the Board, by its inaction allowed a major Democrat promoter to be a VOTING delegate, as if he was really a Republican leader.

It should be noted a similar letter is being sent to the CRP to get rid of Democrat Luis Alvarado—another founder of the Lincoln Project who on many occasions called for the defeat of President Trump, who is a CRP delegate. He was appointed by Dane Acosta—now a resident of El Paso, Texas.

Leadership means to lead. Allowing voting delegates that openly promote the election of Joe Biden and the defeat of GOP Senators—and being silent is NOT leadership. President Trump deserves a united Republican Party. Our candidates for legislative office deserve better. Think the California Democrat Party would have a voting delegate that wanted to elect Trump and defeat Democrat Senators? Why do we?

I will be reporting on any actions taken now that an official request has been made.

Mike Madrid with his client in 2018 – liberal Democrat Guv Candidate Antonio Villiariagosa

Attached is a copy of the complaint submitted by CRA Exec VP Carl Brickey and three other officers of the California Republican Assembly:

Request to Remove BIDEN Supporter as California Republican Party Delegate

Carl Brickey, 7/22/20

July 22, 2020

Chairwoman Jessica Patterson

California Republican Party

1001 K Street, Fourth Floor

Sacramento, CA 95814

Chairwoman Patterson:

As delegates of the State Central Committee (“the Committee”), we agreed to abide by the Standing Rules and Bylaws of the California Republican Party. Section 2.01.06 (A) states that a majority of the Committee or the Executive Committee may censure or remove any delegate who publicly advocates that voters should not vote for the party’s nominee for any office or who gives support to or avows a preference for any publicly announced candidate of a party other than the Republican Party. Delegate

Michael “Mike” Madrid (Membership ID 25719) has publicly advocated that voters not vote for the Republican nominee for president, Donald Trump, and has given support to and avowed a preference for a publicly announced candidate of another party, Democrat Joe Biden.

The facts in this case are straightforward and unambiguous.

Mike Madrid is an Appointive Delegate of the Republican State Central Committee.[1] He was appointed by former Republican, currently No Party Preference, Assemblyman Chad Mayes.
Mike Madrid is also a co-founder and advisory board member of The Lincoln Project, a super PAC formed in late 2019 by a group of current and former Republican political consultants.[2] Its mission is to “Defeat President Trump and Trumpism at the ballot box.”[3] [emphasis in original]
The Lincoln Project has released numerous ads targeting President Trump and seven Republican Senate incumbents: Cory Gardner (CO), Susan Collins (ME), Martha McSally (AZ), Thom Tillis (NC), Mitch McConnell (KY), Joni Ernst (IA), and Steve Daines (MT). The group’s goal is to elect Democrat Joe Biden to the presidency and secure a Democratic majority in the U.S. Senate. The ads can be viewed on their YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/c/TheLincolnProject).
On April 8, 2020, The Lincoln Project went beyond advocating the defeat of President Trump and outright endorsed presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden for President.[4]
Since December 2019, Mike Madrid has publicly advocated in print, social media, and video the defeat of President Trump and, more recently, the election of Democrat Joe Biden as president.[5]

Pursuant to Section 2.01.07 (A) of the Standing Rules and Bylaws of the California Republican Party, we hereby file this complaint with the Chairwoman against Michael “Mike” Madrid (Membership ID 25719) setting forth the causes for his censure and removal from the Committee.

Sincerely,

Carl Brickey, Executive Vice President

California Republican Assembly

Tom Hudson, Immediate Past President

California Republican Assembly

Johnnie Morgan, President

California Republican Assembly

Tim Thiesen, Vice President

California Republican Assembly

[1] CRP Delegate & Associate List, accessed June 12, 2020.

[2] “Our Team,” The Lincoln Project, accessed July 21, 2020, https://lincolnproject.us/team/.

[3] “Our Mission,” The Lincoln Project, accessed July 21, 2020, https://lincolnproject.us/.

[4] The Lincoln Project, Twitter Post, April 8, 2020, 11:22 AM, twitter.com/ProjectLincoln/status/1247952902297092096.

[5] Mike Madrid, “Principled Republicans and Conservatives Must Oppose Trumpism,” The Orange County Register,

December 22, 2019, https://www.ocregister.com/2019/12/22/principled-republicans-and-conservatives-must-oppose-trumpism/; Keristen Holmes, “The Lincoln Project, Created by Conservatives, Aims to Draw Republicans Away from President Trump,” ABC 10 (KXTV), January 30, 2020, https://www.abc10.com/article/news/politics/thelincolnproject/103-f23fd786-f805-408a-a19f-11ed2b45a9fe; Mike Madrid, Twitter Post, June 25, 2020, 7:06 AM, https://twitter.com/ProjectLincoln/status/1247952902297092096.

[1] “Our Team,” The Lincoln Project, accessed July 21, 2020, https://lincolnproject.us/team/.

[1] “Our Mission,” The Lincoln Project, accessed July 21, 2020, https://lincolnproject.us/.

[1] The Lincoln Project, Twitter Post, April 8, 2020, 11:22 AM, twitter.com/ProjectLincoln/status/1247952902297092096.

[1] Mike Madrid, “Principled Republicans and Conservatives Must Oppose Trumpism,” The Orange County Register, December 22, 2019, https://www.ocregister.com/2019/12/22/principled-republicans-and-conservatives-must-oppose-trumpism/;

Keristen Holmes, “The Lincoln Project, Created by Conservatives, Aims to Draw Republicans Away from President Trump,” ABC 10 (KXTV), January 30, 2020, https://www.abc10.com/article/news/politics/thelincolnproject/103-f23fd786-f805-408a-a19f-11ed2b45a9fe;

Mike Madrid, Twitter Post, June 25, 2020, 7:06 AM, https://twitter.com/ProjectLincoln/status/1247952902297092096.

Interesting how Jessica Patterson forgot to clear her social media entirely. She seemed to follow Mike Madrid closely, will she try to run and hide from the CAGOP Delegates seeking accountability? She liked both of these tweets by Madrid and is a reputed Never Trumper herself.

This tweet was from about two months ago (May 2020) Note: this was not liked or retweeted by Jessica like the above two.

CRA: Update – A Lifetime Ban is Not Enough, Here Come the Lawyers!

California Republican Party, CRA 1 Response »

Jun 022015

Why is it that being involved with the CRA involves getting semi-annual letters from Lawyers?

In this case – this is a sad epitaph to the CRA.

Two legal threat letters were sent to us by CRA Exec VP Craig Alexander – who, incidentally hates George and I, over the ouster of Celeste Greig. In a sad irony, Mr. Alexander should really direct his personal vitriol towards Alice Khosravy whose fraud in the SCVRA in 2013 likely cost Celeste Greig her election. Mr. Alexander is also the legal counsel of the CRA now, it is my belief that Tom Hudson arranged for this so he would not have to send these letters himself. (See Letter #1 threatening the former Placer CRA, and Letter #2 threatening George and I personally)

On Saturday, George and I discussed the possibility of the CRA Board attempting to seek revenge for the unit leaving and the resulting embarrassment. We have our answer. While I was not on the board of the Placer CRA – I can tell you that the demand for the money by Mr. Alexander is as absurd as his misplaced personal hatred of us. He should have read the Placer CRA’s bylaws.

Of dramatic irony is how Alice Khosravy and other CRA board members argued local control as the excuse for papering over the fraud in the Pasadena, Ventura and Nevada RA’s – but in the case of Placer who attempted to follow the rules the board is suddenly worried about by-laws. The 80-year-old by-laws of CRA are poorly written and as long as people like Mark Gardner are in charge of interpreting them, no one is safe from a legal threat.

The bottom line – the Placer CRA Quit. The CRA Board got embarrassed and is now lashing out. The basis of the threat against the Placer RA gets even worse with the assertion that it is still a unit as the decision to ratify the disbursements of the funds were made by valid board votes with valid board members at the time they were made.

Lastly – the threat is also intended as a shot across the bow of other units as the board of the failing CRA is lashing out in an attempt to stop the bleeding their behavior has caused. When you are on a pseudo-religious crusade to destroy people, you often are oblivious to how you look or the effects of your rampage. (Witness Facebook Posts from CRA Board Members referring to George and I as evil – suggesting that the CRA has devolved in to fanaticism)

The second legal threat letter – directed at George and I personally is the key letter. This is the poster child for what the CRA has now become, a group about power and control.

Mr. Alexander basically admits in this letter that this blog has been devastatingly effective in getting the message out about the malfeasance of CRA.

In the second letter, Mr. Alexander repeats a lot of the hyperbolae of the CRA Lynch Mob – in particular, the “data breech” that no one has proven. The burden of proof is on the CRA or someone who thinks they were exposed – however, there have been several lies propagated including FBI Investigations and DA Investigations. It is surprising to see Mr. Alexander repeat and dedicate a full page of his threat letter to a semi-vetted claim that I have debunked as a lie.

Secondly, Mr. Alexander makes a demand that we stop blogging about the CRA. As board members, we had a fiduciary responsibility to the organization to make sure its’ own by-laws were being followed with regard to its’ corporate governance. If we made our claims of fraud with no backing evidence, they could have easily been dismissed. Mr. Alexander’s logic for demanding we stop proving fraud is ironically the same basis that CRA VP Alice Khosravy used in an attempt to get all of John Briscoe’s emails.

We have proven that the CRA elected six board members in violation of its’ own by-laws whose votes were pivotal in our expulsion from CRA. We were accused of mistreating a CRA unit, which we proved false – leading to the original claims of a “data breech”. In essence, the poor behavior of the CRA’s board has led to the problems that Mr. Alexander has attempted (along with the rest of the lynch mob) to pin on us.

When a corporate officer of a non-profit is committing membership fraud, which could affect organizational governance (see also officer elections) and you find out about it – you have a responsibility to expose it. It is not our fault many on the CRA’s board did not want to listen or got angry at us for raising the issue.

Now, Mr. Alexander has cited some legal precedents and demanded that I stop blogging about the fraud within the CRA. The fact is that the CRA had no privacy policy and no confidentiality policy. That box has been opened forever. Had the lynch mob not been so consumed with their pseudo-religious fervor and left us on the CRA’s board – Mr. Alexander may well have been able to enforce the demands of us to stop blogging.

However, what we have now is political speech about an organization that has committed political suicide and adopted a culture of fraud, deception and systematic purges.

I’d like to remind Mr. Alexander that a non-profit corporation that does not follow its’ own By-Laws can get its’ corporate veil pierced with relative ease in court – thus exposing all of its’ officers to personal liability. Since CRA President Tom Hudson was a vocal opponent against purchasing D&O insurance, the CRA’s board is exposed. This is not a good situation – and I’d suggest that Mrs. Hudson and Alexander deal with the rampant violations of the by-laws that have been institutionalized.

This is the CRA – we were expelled because some resented our influence in the organization, while others needed to cover up their bad behavior. It is not good enough just the purge the evil (quoting some board members) – in order to prove total supremacy, its’ time to roll the lawyers in.

Why would anyone want to join CRA now? If people re-join CRA because they hate George and I (which has been the spin), then that even further makes the case about the death of the organization.

The bottom line – the CRA’s board of directors is afraid of this blog. They should be. I don’t lie and the facts (as I see them and post them on this blog) are stubborn things.

P.S. In 2011, I received my first legal threat letter of my political career related to my blogging. Ironically, I posted that letter on the advice of Tom Hudson and Craig Alexander.

Older Entries