Tuesday, October 1, 2013

The Wendy file: a "credible Democrat"


      Here’s the latest on former IVC Ac. Senate President Wendy Gabriella’s bid for the 73rd Assembly District seat. According to GOP blogger (and longtime pinhead) John Fleischman (Former CRP Vice Chairman Steve Baric Drops Bid For State Assembly; Flashreport), one of the more viable among the five Republicans running for the seat—Steve Baric—has dropped out of the race:
     A few months ago Steve Baric announced his candidacy for the open 73rd Assembly District in South Orange County. The popular Rancho Santa Margarita City Councilman and former Vice Chairman of the California Republican Party made a big splash, coming out of the gate with prominent endorsements from his former boss, District Attorney Tony Rackauckas, and Sheriff Sandra Hutchens. …Baric ended the June 30th fundraising period with the most cash in the bank….
     Steve Baric has dropped out of the race.
     It’s not clear why Baric has pulled the plug. (He gives his reasons, but they sound like BS. Something about “more meaningful work” he’s got to do. Don’t thinks so.)
     Evidently, it’s important to Baric that a fellow Republican wins the seat:
     “The California legislature continues to be dominated by very liberal politicians who are intent on increase taxes, growing government, and enacting new laws that make California a less-safe place in which to live,” Steve told me. “I am committed to working hard to ensure that South Orange County continues to have a strong, principled conservative representing us in Sacramento.”
     Yeah, whatever.
     Fleischman sums up the situation thus:
     Of course, Steve’s departure from the field of candidates in AD 73 means now the field has dropped to four candidates — Rancho Santa Margarita Councilman Jesse Petrilla, Dana Point Councilman Bill Brough, Capistrano Valley Unified School District Trustee Anna Bryson, and former Laguna Niguel Councilman Paul Glaab. There is also a credible Democrat on the ballot as well, Wendy Gabriella, all but insuring that only one Republican advances to the November election.
     Sounds good.
     That was yesterday. Today, over on Art “Loose Cannon” Pedroza’s blog (Baric and Asm. Chavez to appear at Petrilla 73rd A.D. campaign reception on 10/3), we learn that
Steve Baric has ... already agreed to appear at a campaign event for his colleague on the Rancho Santa Margarita City Council, Jesse Petrilla, who remains in the race for the 73rd A.D.
     Pedroza also opines that
     Bryson and Gabriella will vie for women voters and both have backgrounds in education as Gabriella is a teacher at Irvine Valley College.
     The primary is a top two open election. Gabriella should make it to the general election as there are so many Republican candidates splitting up the vote.
     Brough’s connection to Harkey is a negative. Petrilla seems to lack experience while Bryson has it in spades. This really will come down to who can raise more money and make a better case to the voters. Bryson and Petrilla have the most name identification, while Brough and Gabriella are lacking in that area.
     I don’t know if Pedroza knows what he’s talking about. Naturally, he's partisan--leaning toward the Repubs.
     Some Democrats think that a member of their party might actually make headway in this race, deep in the Neanderthal caves. The Republicans are pretty F-ed up these days. In OC too. And Wendy's an uncommonly strong candidate.
     We'll see, I guess.

SEE ALSO Laguna Niguel Democrat dives into Assembly race (OC Reg)

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