Posted on 06/17/2005 9:48:49 PM PDT by calcowgirl
Now that state Sen. Dick Ackerman is out of the picture, state Sen. John Campbell is picking up some of the endorsements Ackerman had claimed in the bid to replace Rep. Chris Cox in the U.S. House.
Cox, who was first elected to represent the 48th Congressional District in 1988, was tabbed by President Bush on June 2 to head the Securities and Exchange Commission. He must be confirmed by the U.S. Senate, but hearings have not yet been scheduled.
Campbell now has endorsements from GOP Congressmen Darrell Issa, Dana Rohrabacher and Ed Royce, as well as Assemblymen Chuck DeVore and Van Tran.
So far, competition for Cox's seat is expected to come from former Assemblywoman Marilyn Brewer of Newport Beach, and possibly a host of other Republicans who are staying in the shadows until Cox has officially cleaned out his desk.
In the minds of some GOP observers, Campbell is the front runner, but he may have to watch out for opponents who don't know they're running yet.
The political action committee of the Free Enterprise Fund, which supports economic growth and limits to government power, is launching a campaign to urge former Rep. James Rogan to run for Cox's seat.
Rogan represented a district that includes Glendale and Pasadena from 1997 to 2001, but he's also known for serving on the Judiciary Committee that impeached former President Clinton.
He's declined to talk to reporters about whether he will go after Cox's seat.
"I don't know if Jim wants to run or not," said Peter Roff, vice president of the Free Enterprise Fund Political Action Committee. "I'm hoping we can create a groundswell of support to convince him that if he puts his hat in the ring, he will win the election."
This week, the group sent out a news release that included glowing quotes about Rogan from former Orange County GOP Chairman Tom Fuentes.
A number of other political organizations will be at work behind the scenes, although they won't be endorsing anyone as Cox's replacement yet. At least six political action committees have signed on to the Successor Project, which will offer a website with candidates' positions on conservative issues.
Dana Point City Councilman James Lacy, who chairs the Successor Project's board of directors, helped create the group after people started calling to ask for his endorsement in the race.
"I found it offensive, frankly, that these folks would call without even wanting to stop and sit down and talk about policy issues," Lacy said.
"What we're hoping to do is find a clone for Chris Cox from a policy standpoint."
Political endorsements can matter if they come with campaign money or volunteers, and for Campbell the right endorsements could buttress him against critics who say he's not conservative enough, UC Irvine political scientist Mark Petracca said.
"A Republican can run to the right of John Campbell," Petracca said. "John Campbell has spent all this time sucking up to [Gov.] Arnold Schwarzenegger, and we know that Arnold Schwarzenegger ain't a real Republican."
Even if they're not endorsing, political organizations might want to get involved in this race because the seat isn't likely to open up again for some time.
Plus, it's an off-year election, and they don't have much else do to, Petracca said.
"Does it end up making a difference? I suppose it can, but at the end of the day, the one thing we all know is that voter turnout will be low," Petracca said.
I hope he's better than one time HCI's man of the year Tom Campbell.
I'd prefer Rogan over Campbell myself. Campbell is a bit too moderate , imo.
I don't know about Campbell.
Some folks here at FR seem to be Rogan fans (pinging names from prior thread).
I personally like Rogan, but he went anti-gun when pressured.
Yes, I'm a BIG TIME Rogan fan and know him very well. Someday he'll be back. He hasn't told me yes or no about this race, but personally I'd be surprised if it were "yes". He will, someday, be a great leader for America.
NO WAY
I'll look the votes. Gun Shows I believe were the cave.
If Jim gets a F and a c, what does it take to get an "A"?
I can't speak for NRA/GOA, but this was the most likely causes of the ratings decrease.
McCarthy Amendment on gun show
Amendment sought to require individuals who wish to purchase firearms at a gun show to submit to a background check before they are able to complete their purchase; and require a three business day period for completion of the background check.
Dingell NRA backed amendment - voted no
Amendment defines what constitutes a sale at a gun show; requires background checks at gun shows to be completed within 24 hours; allows dealers to deal at gun shows face-to-face; and increases the penalty for those who use guns with a large-capacity magazine during the commission of crimes.
Amendment in the nature of a substitute sought to extend Brady background checks to gun shows, regulate firearms transfers at gun shows, prohibit firearms possession by violent juvenile offenders, and specify penalties for weapons transfers to juveniles and unlawful acts by juveniles
anyone know why Ackerman dropped out. Campbell made a cryptic comment about it when Cox's seat first opened up and I haven't heard any follow up on this, even though Campbell had initially endorsed Ackerman.
http://republican.sen.ca.gov/web/35/pro.asp
Senator John Campbell
BIOGRAPHY
Senator John Campbell is a fourth generation Californian. Born in Los Angeles, Campbell has lived in Irvine for over 24 years. He is an accomplished businessman and has a record of success in the state legislature.
For the past 24 years, Campbell has worked in the automotive industry in Orange County. He spent a majority of his career representing several automobile franchises including Nissan, Mazda, Ford, Saturn and most recently Saab. Campbell is also a Certified Public Accountant who, prior to his automotive career, was a tax accountant with Ernest & Young in Los Angeles.
During his first year in the Assembly, Campbell established himself as a legislative leader. Campbell advocated solutions to the 2001 energy crisis that balanced environmental and economic concerns. He partnered with Democrats to pass crucial pro-consumer legislation that limited unsolicited phone calls. He helped spearhead efforts to conform California tax law to federal tax reforms that enable Californians to save additional money for retirement and education.
In recognition of his leadership, he was appointed to the esteemed role of Vice Chair of the Assembly Budget Committee. John also served on the Utilities and Commerce Committee and the Insurance Committee. It is because of his work in these areas that he had the honor of being the first freshmen legislator to receive the California Small Business Association/Roundtable Legislator of the Year Recognition.
John successfully advocated for community priorities, as well. He won legislative victories relating to the clean up of the Newport Upper Bay, coastal zone open space, and Corona Del Mar’s Vision 2004 project. The Los Angeles Times Daily Pilot placed him in its top 5 most influential community members in 2002.
Before being elected to the State Assembly in 2000, Campbell served on the board of directors of numerous professional and community groups and associations. He is currently a member of the Young Presidents’ Organization and is a recent recipient of their Legacy Award. He is also a member of the National Republican Legislators Association and was their 2001 Freshman Legislator of the Year. John is also a member of Irvine Presbyterian Church where he sings in the choir.
Senator Campbell continues a family tradition of public service. His great-grandfather, Alex Campbell, was elected to the California State Assembly in 1860 as part of Abraham Lincoln’s Republican ticket. Both his father and grandfather worked in the newspaper business, the latter as managing editor of the Los Angeles Herald.
Senator Campbell received a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from the University of California in Los Angeles and a Masters Degree in business taxation from the University of Southern California. John and his wife, Catherine, have been married for over 23 years and have two sons, Taylor and Logan, who both attend public schools.
Hewitt and the Jarvis Taxpayers group backs him. That's a good start.
I was a bit surprised that Ackerman dropped out too..
He made it sound like he had more important work to do in Sacramento with the state budget process and looming initiative battles and felt he could be of more use there.
This was after Campbell backtracked and said he wanted to run for Cox's seat even tho Ackerman tossed his hat in first.
Ackerman dropped out when Campbell decided to run.
This is the closest I've seen to an explanation:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1422040/posts
Ackerman quits race to replace Cox
John Campbell is very much like Chris Cox, a conservative of very high intelligence.
He is a Certified Public Accountant, something Congress needs a lot more of (given the Federal budget problems). I think he shows great promise.
If anyone gets Hugh Hewitts show you will hear him on all the time. He sounds good to me, very conservative.
Lookit them coat-tails!
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