Friday, February 5, 2010

Controversy erupts over California GOP chairman's private life

From today's Sacramento Bee:

Controversy erupts over California GOP chairman's private life

By Charles Piller
cpiller@sacbee.com
Published Friday, Feb. 05, 2010

A long-simmering controversy about the private life of California Republican Party Chairman Ron Nehring has erupted into a divisive conflict within the party.

This week the San Diego Republican Party executive committee, led by Tony Krvaric, chair of the San Diego party, called a meeting for Feb. 8 to discuss the removal of Michael Crimmins, an ex-officio member of its central committee. The executive committee recommended Crimmins' expulsion, in part for sending an e-mail to state party leaders that raised concerns about behavior by Nehring and Krvaric.

Crimmins, a retired Marine Corps officer and congressional candidate in the 53rd District in San Diego County, referenced allegations, initiated in an anonymous e-mail broadly disseminated to the party and media last fall, that Nehring brutalized a former romantic partner.

In a memo mailed to central committee members this week, the executive committee called Crimmins' claims "malicious rumors and false charges."

A separate, anonymous counterpunch was distributed via e-mail Thursday among party activists announcing a news conference after the Feb. 8 meeting that purportedly would call for the removal of Krvaric and Nehring from their posts. One justification, the e-mail stated, was that the two men allegedly harassed Nehring's former partner for considering bringing her story to legal authorities.

Nehring and Krvaric have not yet responded to Bee requests for interviews. Barrett Tetlow, a San Diego Republican Party spokesman, said that the Monday press conference was not a party event and that he would have no comment about it.

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Statement of CDP Chairman John Burton on Whitman campaign’s attempt to coerce rival Republican candidate Steve Poizner to drop out of governor’s race

For Immediate Release
Tuesday, February 2, 2010


This extortion attempt is only the latest display of arrogance and lack of character on candidate Whitman’s part. This is clearly someone who is used to having things her own way and has come to rely on her vast wealth to buy off any and all opposition.

The Craigslist trial documents opened a window into how Meg Whitman operates. Then as now, a simple pattern emerges: first, attempt to buy off all competition and if that fails, threaten, bully, and intimidate until she gets what she wants.

Whitman’s attempt to buy off her main rival ultimately shows a weakness in her campaign. If she’s up by thirty points, and has billions of dollars at her disposal to outspend her chief rival, what is she afraid of?

Clearly Whitman is having a difficult time closing the deal with Republican primary voters and if she emerges from the primary she’ll find that California voters of all parties will reject her brand of strong-arm politics.

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Press Release: Peraza raises more than $45,000 for Chula Vista City Council

[Poster's note: Wow! Go Humberto!]

humberto Peraza Raises

More Than $45,000 for council race

Outraises all other candidates combined

Chula VISTA -- Humberto Peraza’s campaign for Chula Vista City Council has reported raising $45,595 in contributions in 2009, according to the semi-annual campaign finance report filed yesterday.

Peraza raised more than any other candidate for any office in Chula Vista and more than his three opponents for Seat 2 combined. Through a grass roots effort with dedicated volunteers, more than 300 individuals contributed to the Peraza campaign since the campaign committee was formed in August of 2009.

“This is a great sign of the strong and early support for our campaign,” said Peraza. “I’ve gotten such a positive response to my platform of creating jobs and keeping our neighborhoods safe.”

Peraza has earned the endorsements of the San Diego County Democratic Party, San Diego – Imperial Labor Council, Sierra Club, San Diego Democratic Club, San Diego Unity League and the League of Conservation Voters.

Community leaders and elected officials endorsing Peraza include Congressman Bob Filner, Assemblymember Mary Salas, State Senator Denise Ducheny, Chula Vista Councilmember Pamela Bensoussan, former Chula Vista Mayors Tim Nader and Steve Padilla, Chula Vista Elementary School Board member Russell Coronado, Chula Vista Elementary School Board member Doug Luffborough, Sweetwater Unified School District Board member Bertha Lopez, Sweetwater Authority Board member Jose Preciado, State Senator Christine Kehoe, San Diego City Council President Ben Hueso, San Diego City Councilmember Sherri Lightner, San Diego City Councilmember Todd Gloria, San Diego City Councilmember Tony Young, San Diego City Councilmember Marti Emerald, National City Vice-Mayor Alejandra Sotelo-Solis, SDUSD School Board Member Richard Barrerra, and Port Commissioners Scott Peters and Steve Cushman.

The primary will be held in June 2010 and the runoff, if necessary, will be held in November 2010. Humberto Peraza is running for Chula Vista City Council Seat 2, currently held by Councilmember John McCann. McCann is unable to run for reelection due to term limits.

Peraza lives in East Chula Vista with his wife, Lisa, and sons Ben, 5, and Dylan, 2.

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