So I guess he's healthy after all?
His illness is apparently mental.
Despite a report from Roll Call that Gallegly planned to abruptly reverse course again and announce for re-election on Tuesday, that report proved false (at least, so far it has). Instead, Gallegly told reporters he wants to explore seeking legal relief in the courts -- and possibly from the state legislature -- to allow an extension of the now-closed filing period. If those efforts are unsuccessful, Gallegly says he would then reconsider his withdrawal from the race. As it looks unlikely Gallegly could legally prevail based upon current California law, he may in fact be forced to run again -- which raises the likely specter of a subsequent Gallegly resignation in early 2007 and a costly special election. Other options are for Gallegly to make it clear he wants to lose the June 6 primary while simultaneously helping some other Republican running as a write-in candidate. Gallegly appears unlikely to support attorney Michael Tenenbaum, who filed to run against him in the primary. However, Moorpark City Councilman Keith Millhouse, former Santa Barbara County Supervisor Mike Stoker, prosecutor Jeff Gorell and others are already openly talking about launching write-in bids in the primary if Gallegly first gives his blessing for their bids.
Just QUIT.
When I first heard the news about Elton Gallegly's retirement, I figured it had to be some kind of clever plan to freeze out Republicans he doesn't like (e.g., the Stricklands) and hand-pick a successor (perhaps through a write-in campaign). I just couldn't believe Elton could be so ignorant of California election laws, and I say that as someone who is not one of Elton's fans.
But apparently he really was that ignorant, and so was his attorney Michael Bradbury (former Ventura County D.A.). But then I was never very impressed with Bradbury either.
All along I considered Elton's purported health issues to be a convenient excuse. Oh, it's possible that he really does have something wrong with him, and I hope he regains his health. But what possible "health issue" would cause him to suddenly withdraw from the race on the last day of the filing period, that he didn't know about earlier? Especially since he tipped off some close associates at least a day or two before hand?
And he's now been given a clean bill of health? And he now has no problem running for another term? That's amazingly convenient.
I can certainly tell you this: Everyone else here in Simi Valley is just as dumbfounded at Elton's actions as I am.