IF you pay attention to politics in CA, you are 100% aware that Heath Flora was removed and replaced as Assembly Republican Permanent Minority leader recently. The vote was 10-9 and the event was being literally texted about in real time. Within minutes of the caucus meeting ending the stories were posted (some had to have been written days before)…

Your Intrepid Blogger with Jon Fleischman and Celeste Greig

It feels odd in some ways to write a post like this, but I am reminded this is my 29 year anniversary of the first precinct I ever walked in an election campaign. It was off of Vernon an Cirby in a Roseville City Council election. This is the cycle of life.

I am old enough to remember when Carl DeMaio was the San Diego liberal who supported shredding the CAGOP Platform vis a vis Gay Marriage (think Prop 8 era) and removing Pro-Life from the platform. I remember people like then San Diego GOP Chair Tony Krvaric trying to convince CRA to endorse him in his run for Congress. (DeMaio ran for office many times and lost before his current)

Now he is the alleged gold standard for conservatives in CA. Regardless, Carl DeMaio is effective and should teach a masterclass on grifting. He has done it better than most I have seen as he has a war-chest with millions and influence earned the hard way (aka no McCarthy or wealthy benefactor behind the curtain)

I have known Celeste Greig and Jon Fleischman for almost 30 years – both leaders in the CRA / conservative movement. Jon is another political activist turned consultant / activist.

I have known Tony Strickland and Roger Niello for over 20 years as have I Suzette Valladeras. I remember her when she worked for Congressman Buck McKeon. Assuming you know what is going to happen, let alone knowing the players would be a mistake as it relates to a coming meeting of the State Senate Republican Permanent Minority Caucus this week. Neither Niello nor Strickland are the guys I knew 20+ years ago either, but proper vetting and knowing the history of people is critical to evaluating the events of today. The Strickland of today is quite a bit different than the guy I hosted an event for in 2002, Niello and Valladeras have grown in experience and effectiveness as I have watched them over the same time period.

IN a similar stream of consciousness, assuming you know everything about the new Republican Assembly leadership would also be a mistake.

You see – everyone you know in the political arena has a long history. It is unusual for someone in their 40’s or 50’s to show up out of nowhere. This is why research is paramount.

You are also dealing with human beings, therefore every outcome is unknown until the final bell rings.

The final book has not been written on what happened in the Assembly last week. The final book won’t be written on Tuesday by the GOP State Senate. You will never know how all of this affects the CAGOP until the Feb 2027 convention is done. Period.

But, I would STRONGLY counsel everyone to do thorough and honest research on all the players in the legislative drama of late. Things are not as they seem and your intrepid blogger has learned a ton of stuff about situations and people. There will be a lot of fallout from both GOP leadership events. A lot. Watch and learn from what happens.

I may or may not write about what I have learned. But, I am sure others will… I am dealing with the democrats running a full-blown drill in Placer County trying to take council and school board seats. The original things that pulled me in to politics? Pro-Life and Placer County.

More on Placer County soon.