Right On Daily Blog

Some time ago, we introduced you to the Frank-Hamburger Alliance, a BBQ of Bull—-. This is named in Honor of SD23 Candidate Donald James “DJ” Hamburger and his consultant, Steve Frank. With all the talk about candidates in their late 70s, people need to remember that Mr. Frank is right in that range, and it is clear he is past his prime, and/or perhaps DJ is just that bad of a candidate.

The Frank-Hamburger alliance has sought to make the SD23 Primary all about the Abortion issue.

The erstwhile “True Conservative” with a few Republicans that are anything but.

Similar to his former employer Abel Maldonado, DJ calls for French-Style abortion laws. Don’t take my word for it: Here is Donald James Hamburger on the dope rhyme himself.

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.

Your intrepid blogger was told that DJ’s first mailers have all made false claims that Suzette Valladares supports late-term abortion. Apparently, the Frank-Hamburger alliance thinks that betting the ranch on that is a winner in a D+7 district blanket primary.

When you watch the above linked clip, it makes the attack even more insane because, let’s take a look at French Abortion Laws:

PARIS (AP) — France’s National Assembly on Tuesday overwhelmingly approved a bill meant to enshrine a woman’s right to an abortion in the French Constitution, the first key step in a legislative process that also requires a vote in the Senate.

In case you are unclear of the motive or the impact:

The government argued in its introduction to the bill that the right to abortion is threatened in the United States, where the Supreme Court in 2022 overturned a 50-year-old ruling that had guaranteed the right to an abortion.

“Unfortunately, this event is not isolated: in many countries, even in Europe, there are currents of opinion that seek to hinder at any cost the freedom of women to terminate their pregnancy if they wish,” the introduction to the French legislation says.

It looks like the erstwhile defeated General Election candidate stepped on a rake again.

Shoulda stuck to yoga dude.

DJ Hamburger is indeed to the left of Suzette on pretty much everything it seems. It is also time for him to return to private life, soon.

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