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GOP Rep. Elton Gallegly to retire - Jamming McClintock?
by Jon Fleischman - Publisher
3-10-2006 3:47 pm
The last day for candidates to file for re-election always brings with it surprises. Certainly the biggest one of today is the surprise announcement this afternoon by long-time GOP Congressman Elton Gallegly (Ventura County - pictured) who has decided after 10 terms in the House of Representatives to call it quits.
Why now? Gallegly has told the Ventura County Star that it is due to health concerns.
(snip)
Strickland looks to be shifting his sights
by Jon Fleischman - Publisher
3-10-2006 4:31 pm
I just spoke with Strickland Team insider Joel Angeles, who confirmed for me that if it is true that Elton Gallegly is running for Congress, that former Assemblyman Tony Strickland is prepared to retool his run for State Controller into a run for the House of Representatives. You can be very sure that the first endorser that Strickland would get for this race would be that of the local Assemblywoman, his wife, Audra. Right after that, look for the next endorsements to come from two opposite sides of the GOP spectrum -- the local State Senator, Tom McClintock, would certainly support his close ally running for Congress -- and of course State Senator Abel Maldonado would be pleased as punch to have a free ride to the GOP nomination for State Controller.
There is one legal question running through my mind right now -- about whether Strickland can 'unring' the bell on his filed candidacy for State Controller -- and what happens with that. One thing is for sure, Strickland is a tough campaigner, and you can be sure that he would be the instant front-runner to succeed Gallegly.
(snip)
Gallegly: LOSER
by Jon Fleischman - Publisher
3-10-2006 5:03 pm
I can't imagine a worse way to end a career in Congress than pulling the manuever that Elton Gallegly has in Ventura County today...and it might work...but probably not.
Apparently unlike State Legislative seats, filing does not extend if an incumbent doesn't file (FR friend and political law expert Chuck Bell verified this for me). Gallegly, by waiting until two hours before the close of filing on the last day to file to announce his plans is really trying to stick it to former Assemblyman Tony Strickland.
Right now, Strickland has dozens of volunteers converging on the Registrar's office to sign nomination docs in time for him to file for Congress.
Shame on Gallegly for this kind of street theater..is he like four years old? Even the often-immature Bill Thomas retired with a week to give other candidates time to file...
Strickland hosed
by Jon Fleischman - Publisher
3-10-2006 5:28 pm
Elton Gallegly can chuckle over a beer tonight at his apparently successful effort to thwart our representative democracy. Despite a last minute scramble by Strickland and his supporters to get him filed - there was not enough time. So on the ballot is Gallegly (who has filed but announced he is retiring and will not be waging any campaign) and some obscure fellow named Tannenbaum. Strickland has a few days to consider whether he will try to mount a write-in effort, or keep his eye on the State Controller's seat. In the meantime, if anyone sees Elton Gallegly around town, avert your glance. He has brought shame on himself and the GOP today...
FlashReport... Indispensible!
But what the heck is with Gallegly's timing. Maybe he was out to screw McClintock or Strickland. Either one could still mount a write-in campaign for the GOP nomination, but I like them on the paths they've already chosen.
From the SoS website, any potential write-in candidate has just over ten weeks to get the papers together, although obviously he would have to decide very soon:
"For the primary election, the statement of write-in candidacy and nomination papers must be filed between April 10 and May 23, 2006.
http://www.ss.ca.gov/elections/qualifications/write-ins_2006.pdf
And, as pointed out in post 52, Strickland cannot withdraw as candidate for Controller.
ELECTIONS CODE SECTION 8800-8811
8800. No candidate whose declaration of candidacy has been filed for any primary election may withdraw as a candidate at that primary election.
I'm sure they can find some other conservative Republican to run besides McClintock and Strickland. Maybe the Mike Robinson who ran against Audra Strickland for Assembly? Seriously, though, the Dem candidates are obscure enough, because the seat was "safe" for Gallegly, and Tannenbaum is unknown, too, unless the local GOP really promotes him well. Being the longtime incumbent, Gallegly probably will still win the primary, and getting about 30,000 write-ins for someone else will be really difficult.
In the last five primary elections, Gallegly ran unopposed.
2004: 78,236 votes
2002: 62,239 votes
2000: 92,010 votes, 63.3% in the open primary
1998: 71,151 votes, 63.5% in the popular vote
1996: 56,700 votes