Oct 272017
 

Dante Acosta: The correct story about Acosta is that he opposed Cap and Trade because he believed the deal was not in the best interest of his district. This was told to me by his Chief of Staff. It was easy to draw other conclusions because his staff and others around him have been fiercely critical of Trump, the people upset over cap and trade and most are reputed moderate/liberal Republicans.

Frank Bigelow: I had written that Bigelow was a fake no vote on Cap and Trade. The evidence was him liking and re-tweeting stuff from liberal democrats lauding the “deal” as well as his Chief of Staff being all for it. I had an offline chat with a lobbyist friend who told me that no matter how hard they tried, Bigelow would not cross the line and vote for it.

David Stafford Reade: For years I have told the story about the “North State Business Journal”. It was a fake newspaper created for the specific purpose of launching a base, vile personal attack against Former State Senator Rico Oller. The paper was used to expose a story about Rico’s Daughter. Years later, I learned through the campaign consultant of the late Bernie Richter that David Reade was not responsible for the North State Business Journal and had actually advised against doing that hit. It appears then that the actual source was someone from El Dorado County by the name of George Osborne.

Ventura County Executive Director: The point we were making was the withdrawal of Charles Munger’s money, yet the post may have given some people the impression the Ventrua GOP had no other sources of funding. Their now ex-ED contacted me to tell me about his new gig which he voluntarily left the Ventura GOP for. The Ventura GOP apparently has significant money in the bank with which to operate. There is no word on a replacement ED being hired yet.

Nov 192016
 

When I worked for Bill Halldin in the extremely crowded 2016 Assembly District 6 Primary, the team of James Gallagher, Doug LaMalfa, Frank Bigelow and Jim Nielsen – all partisan Republican officeholders came through with huge endorsements for Bill. Jim Nielsen and Frank Bigelow also followed up their endorsements with $4200 checks and assistance with other checks for Halldin’s campaign.

James Gallagher sent some staff who helped us on a few weekends. We had some of Jim Nielsen and Doug LaMalfa’s staff on a few weekends, with a lot on the final days of the campaign. Frank Bigelow’s staff were amazing, they helped us pretty much every weekend after Frank Bigelow endorsed Bill Halldin.

For this blogger personally, it was an interesting study in professionalism. I have been at the throats of several of the people in LaMalfa and Nielsen’s staff for years, yet here we were working together. This was a welcome change from the blood-letting that the GOP in California no longer has the luxury to do. Those that I worked with in the LaMalfa and Nielsen office were professional, polite and assisted Bill Halldin like a professional would do.

My interactions with those working for James Gallagher were even better. I have no negative history with Gallagher as I decided to support him in his primary, breaking traditional political lines in the North State. They all seemed to know, but more importantly their communication and approach suggested that they cared deeply about their district and people in it. Despite my issues with Gallagher on some internal party politics issues or allegiance issues – it is clear that James is an effective legislator with a clear reason for serving. His staff is a reflection of that.

Frank Bigelow’s staff blew my mind. What a great group of people. They even explained to me a few things about El Dorado County politics from a completely different perspective. (For example, having positive things to say about Vern Pierson) Without meaning a slight to the staff of the other three, the Bigelow Staff were almost 100% committed and assisting Halldin’s campaign and I had a lot of interactions with them. Bigelow’s staff were some of the most real people I’ve worked with from a legislator’s office in the nearly 20 years in the political trenches I’ve logged.

When I had interactions with Nielsen and Bigelow during this campaign, it was clear to me they were both trying to figure me out. They both made a lot of eye contact when we were chatting at a fundraiser event for Bill. I usually do not try to hide my feelings about anyone, and I will say that I have come from being hostile towards Nielsen to liking him.

Regarding Frank Bigelow, I did not support him when he ran against Rico Oller. Frank is not as conservative as I’d like him to be. However, it is clear to me that Bigelow is a “real dude”. I can forgive a lot of squishyness when I deal with a real dude. Bigelow’s character is clear as reflected in his staff. In most all cases a legislator’s staff is a reflection of the member. It was good to be able to get to know Mr. Bigelow a bit more. I hope that Bigelow, Nielsen and others would choose to start funding voter registration and other efforts as the dems are overrunning this state.

In this season of Thanksgiving, I’d like to thank the above four for helping Bill Halldin and I’d also like to thank the staff members I got to meet and work with. It was a great experience, here’s hoping that we cross paths on the same side again soon.

Footnote: Kevin Kiley won that primary and ultimately won the general election. The above four did indeed raise money and help Mr. Kiley in the fall as any good team players would do.

Oct 152012
 

What do AFSCME, SEIU, CMA, the Public Employees Union, the Realtors and the Dentists have in common?

They want to “get” Rico Oller.

Why? They all want higher taxes.

I saw an independent expenditure today against Rico by a PAC calling itself: CALIFORNIANS FOR FISCAL ACCOUNTABILITY SPONSORED BY DENTISTS, SCHOOL EMPLOYEES, HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS, CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS AND CONSTRUCTION TRADES ORGANIZATIONS.

Got all that? Look who funded it: SEIU (aka Service Employees), the Dentists and another PAC called: CALIFORNIANS FOR FISCAL ACCOUNTABILITY AND RESPONSIBILITY.

Take a closer look at CALIFORNIANS FOR FISCAL ACCOUNTABILITY AND RESPONSIBILITY: SEIU, Construction Workers, California Medical Association (aka Health Care Workers Union), School Employees Union, AFSCME, the Dentists and Realtors.

All of these groups have major skin in the game. They want Frank Bigelow, because Bigelow will vote to raise taxes and will negotiate on state budgets. The Dentists and the Medical Union are worried about Medi-Cal reimbursements, the Realtors want someone who will negotiate on taxing things other than Real Estate Sales and the SEIU/AFSCME just want to elect RINO’s.

The 5th Assembly District Deserves Better

Mariposa County Democrats / AFL-CIO – Frank Bigelow is our Man

 CA AD-05 Race, Frank Bigelow, Rico Oller  Comments Off on Mariposa County Democrats / AFL-CIO – Frank Bigelow is our Man
Oct 042012
 

First – take a look at the AFL-CIO endorsement of “Republican” Frank Bigelow.

And now for the main course:

Subject: An open Letter from two District 5 Democrats on the Assembly Race to Democrats

Hi, everyone – Below is a message from Heather Bernikoff and Dave Raboy regarding the Assembly Race. Due to the “top 2” primary, we do not have a Democrat on the ballot in November. There are two Republicans on the ballot; but there is a difference between them. After talking with the candidates, hearing them, and reviewing their positions, I have to agree with the email below – Frank Bigelow will be a better choice for our district.
Please do NOT consider this an official endorsement from any official Democrat; it’s just a look at the reality of what’s happening and a recommendation from friends that, rather than not voting, you consider voting for Frank Bigelow. Please review the letter below, and note that Heather & Dave are offering a “meet and greet” at their place with Frank on Oct 14.
Anne Brock
======================================================================
Dear Assembly District 5 Democrats – 

Due to the Top Two Primary concept that passed in the last election, we have only a choice of two Republicans in our Assembly District race – Frank Bigelow and Rico Oller.  As disenfranchising as this is, it does provide us the opportunity to select the candidate that is more moderate, has the most common sense, ability to work collaboratively and think through more complex ideas as opposed to what we have been seeing from the Republican party for the last 15 or so years.  I have interviewed both candidates and would recommend that Democrats vote for Frank Bigelow.  Let me be clear, Frank is not a Democrat. His views will be disappointing to us as Democrats.  However, we cannot waste our vote by staying out of this race.  If we do, we will most likely get the most ideological candidate. In our opinion, that is Rico Oller -a man supported by McClintock and Howard Jarvis.

Here is why I think Frank Bigelow is the better choice:
1. Contrary to his competitor, he has refused to sign the Grover Norquist pledge to not raise taxes – a pledge that has helped to cripple our nation in one of the worst economic times we have seen.  This shows leadership.
2. He has been a supporter of agricultural issues in particular land conservation through the Williamson Act. His own family ranch is under such a contract. These contracts are some of the reasons we still have the beautiful working landscape most of us enjoy. My ranch is also under this protection.
3. He supports expansion of rural telecommunications/broadband access. Given his background as part of the family that owns Ponderosa Telephone in Madera County, this is a natural fit. Broadband expansion is critical to support home based business, micro enterprise, greater participation in democracy, increased access to healthcare (through telemedicine/telehealth), and educational experience access.
4. He did not discount investment in clean, renewable energy when I spoke about this to him. He said he would be willing to look at any proposal.  Again, I want to be clear; he is a typical Republican climate change denier.  Conversely however, when I brought up renewables to Oller, they immediately said climate change was “not true”.  That was their response – the drill baby drill attitude.
5. In pulling both lists of major donors, Oller had more big corporation, lobbying associations, ultra right-wing supporters, including a contribution from McClintock’s campaign war chest (http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/candidate.phtml?c=147280).  Bigelow had more agricultural related donors, grocery and American Indian Tribes (http://www.followthemoney.org/database/uniquecandidate.phtml?uc=1412061).

I hope you agree that our vote in this race cannot be wasted. If you live in a location that is along a highway or highly trafficked road in District 5, would you consider putting a large sign up for Frank?  I have putt a sign up on my ranch in Mariposa County.  There are also small signs for homes in neighborhoods too.  FYI – The green large signs do not have the word “conservative” on them , but the small ones do.  Please contact me if you are willing to put a sign up or if you have any questions.  My email is (redacted).

Finally, we will be hosting a meet and greet with Frank Bigelow at our house in the Catheys Valley/Hornitos area of Mariposa County at 2pm on Sunday October 14.  If you are interested in attending, please email me your RSVP, and I will send directions.

Thank you for listening.

Heather B and David R
Democrats who live in Mariposa County

 

Sep 142012
 

Quick Update –

The California Association of Realtors Pac has decided that 2012 is a year where they are going to make a major move to start attacking conservatives in favor of tax-raising moderates.

They donated $7800 to Rick Bossetti. – Bossetti is pretty conservative, but is regarded as the more moderate of the two candidates in the AD01 race. Brian Dahle is the favorite to win up there… this may be signaling that the Realtors are going to attack Brian Dahle.

They donated $7800 to Frank Bigelow in AD05 today – after dumping about $100k in to him in the spring.

The Dentists donated $7800 to Jim Nielsen in SD04 today – signaling that they are going to attack Dan Logue! (I saw the donation on a report but failed to save the link.)

I have been told by captiol insiders that the concern for the Realtors PAC is some issue over threatened real estate transfer taxes and that if they get Republicans who are more amenable to raising taxes that they can fight of the transfer tax in favor of taxing something somewhere else.

amazing, huh.