GOP slugfest at center stage in race to replace Cox {CA 1st Senate District}

Sacramento Bee ^ | 10/28/10 | Susan Ferriss

[SmithL]

In the blue state of California, a Republican stronghold east of Sacramento has been buffeted by a fierce GOP internal battle for hearts, minds and votes.

The tempest is fueled by a dose of local tea party politics and pits three GOP rivals against one another – and a Democrat – who are all vying Nov. 2 for California's 1st Senate District.

The Republican rivalry for the seat is testing whether one of them, termed-out Assemblyman Roger Niello, can survive what for many in the GOP is a cardinal sin: voting last year for tax increases to help close a massive budget deficit.

The other two GOP candidates – Assemblyman Ted Gaines of Roseville and acting state tax board member Barbara Alby – boast of anti-tax purity but face their own tests.

The fight is for a seat left vacant when GOP Sen. Dave Cox of Fair Oaks died last July.

To win Tuesday's special election, a candidate must get more than 50 percent of votes cast. Otherwise, the top GOP contender squares off in a Jan. 4 runoff against the lone Democrat in the race, Rancho Cordova Mayor Ken Cooley.