Showing posts with label Speaker Fabian Núñez. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Speaker Fabian Núñez. Show all posts
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Maybe Mitt wants to run for Mayor too?
Earlier this week there was a post here about the future career prospects of former Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez. It included the possibility of Núñez running for mayor of San Diego in 2012. This morning via TPM: I find out that former Massachusetts Governor and failed presidential candidate Mitt Romney is buying home in La Jolla. [Link] Who knows maybe in 2012 San Diegans will be lucky enough to have the choice between Núñez and Romney for mayor?
Monday, May 19, 2008
Núñez for Mayor?
Departing Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez spoke with the U-T today about his time in the Assembly and his future plans. Of particular note was the notion of Núñez returning to San Diego for a run at mayor:
Now, the U-T gives this quote most of its context, so who really knows if this is at all a real possibility. But even so, it's interesting to contemplate, as there seems to be plenty on both sides of the pro/con ledger to consider.
On the con side, Núñez left San Diego 20 years ago, and has spent his entire professional and political life based out of Los Angeles which would make him a carpetbagger of sorts despite being raised in San Diego. Also, in spite of many accomplishments during his tenure at Speaker, the past year particularly has seen a bitter and divisive series of battles with organized labor in the state over gaming compacts and health care. Finally, in a town that desperately needs to be "cleaned up" at city hall (still- thanks Mayor Sanders), Núñez has had several brushes with questionable-if-legal ethics probes. And four years from now, will there be some homegrown talent ready to step up to the Mayor's office that would better serve the strength of the party?
All that said, the San Diego Democratic Party is rather lacking candidates at the top. If Floyd Morrow is the highest-profile Democrat available to run against a Mayor with a spotty record, well, there's room for a heavyweight to get a few things done. And Núñez certainly knows how to organize and fundraise, two skills that you can never get enough of when rebuilding a party. Also, while there are some legitimate points of contention in his legislative record, better environmental standards, higher minimum wage, and other successes have come through under his watch. While it presumably wouldn't hurt that San Diego is a softer target than Los Angeles for a profile-boosting Mayoral gig, if it takes overpaying for an attendance-boosting free agent to re-legitimize the franchise that is Democratic Party in San Diego, it could be worth it.
Ultimately, I'm not sure who else I'm waiting or hoping for in the next mayor's race, so this is a possibility I'd at least be open to. There are a number of locals who have gotten off to promising starts, but that doesn't mean they'll keep going. And if there's a glut of mayoral candidates next time who didn't get to be, say, City Attorney this time around, it could be a tough field to crack if you don't have Núñez-level weight behind you. So heck, who knows? But given where things are in this city right now, I'm open to anything.
After an expected stint in the private sector, he could choose from an array of political options, including perhaps a bid for mayor of his hometown, Núñez said in an interview.
“I have deep roots in San Diego. I have a lot of friends there, and San Diegans have been great to me,” said Núñez, 41. “It's a city that has so much potential. With a strong leader, there is so much that could be done.”
Now, the U-T gives this quote most of its context, so who really knows if this is at all a real possibility. But even so, it's interesting to contemplate, as there seems to be plenty on both sides of the pro/con ledger to consider.
On the con side, Núñez left San Diego 20 years ago, and has spent his entire professional and political life based out of Los Angeles which would make him a carpetbagger of sorts despite being raised in San Diego. Also, in spite of many accomplishments during his tenure at Speaker, the past year particularly has seen a bitter and divisive series of battles with organized labor in the state over gaming compacts and health care. Finally, in a town that desperately needs to be "cleaned up" at city hall (still- thanks Mayor Sanders), Núñez has had several brushes with questionable-if-legal ethics probes. And four years from now, will there be some homegrown talent ready to step up to the Mayor's office that would better serve the strength of the party?
All that said, the San Diego Democratic Party is rather lacking candidates at the top. If Floyd Morrow is the highest-profile Democrat available to run against a Mayor with a spotty record, well, there's room for a heavyweight to get a few things done. And Núñez certainly knows how to organize and fundraise, two skills that you can never get enough of when rebuilding a party. Also, while there are some legitimate points of contention in his legislative record, better environmental standards, higher minimum wage, and other successes have come through under his watch. While it presumably wouldn't hurt that San Diego is a softer target than Los Angeles for a profile-boosting Mayoral gig, if it takes overpaying for an attendance-boosting free agent to re-legitimize the franchise that is Democratic Party in San Diego, it could be worth it.
Ultimately, I'm not sure who else I'm waiting or hoping for in the next mayor's race, so this is a possibility I'd at least be open to. There are a number of locals who have gotten off to promising starts, but that doesn't mean they'll keep going. And if there's a glut of mayoral candidates next time who didn't get to be, say, City Attorney this time around, it could be a tough field to crack if you don't have Núñez-level weight behind you. So heck, who knows? But given where things are in this city right now, I'm open to anything.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Followup on the 78th Race
I have received several e-mails today regarding the race in the 78th. Regarding endorsements, I'm told that the San Diego County Central Committee does not endorse in partisan races. Hence there will not be another opportunity for Marty Block to come up short on the required votes for a Democratic Party endorsement.
Speaking of endorsements, I have been told be several people that Speaker Karen Bass didn't endorse Auday Arabo. He does have the endorsement from former Speaker Fabian Nunez just not Bass' endorsement. There is a rumor going around that if Speaker Bass does choose to endorse in the race, she will endorse Arlie Ricasa. Stay tune for more....
Speaking of endorsements, I have been told be several people that Speaker Karen Bass didn't endorse Auday Arabo. He does have the endorsement from former Speaker Fabian Nunez just not Bass' endorsement. There is a rumor going around that if Speaker Bass does choose to endorse in the race, she will endorse Arlie Ricasa. Stay tune for more....
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Karen Bass to be the Next Speaker of the Assembly
The SacBee is reporting tonight that:
Assemblywoman Karen Bass has secured the votes to become the next speaker of the California Assembly, elevating an African American woman to the post for the first time in California history, several Democratic colleagues said tonight. [Link]
This is great news since in my opinion the reign of Fabian Núñez as Assembly Speaker cannot come to an end soon enough.
Monday, December 3, 2007
Call it the Núñez Rule
The Los Angeles Times is reporting that the Fair Political Practices Commission is considering a proposal at its December 13th meeting that would require politicians who use their campaign funds for dining, gifts, and traveling "to prove those expenditures are related to governmental or political business." The FPPC also is going to consider a proposal requiring nonprofit groups that get involved in political campaigns to reveal their donors.[Link]
"Together, the proposed reforms aim to better inform voters about who is bankrolling ballot measure campaigns and tighten vague laws under which some politicians." Over the past couple of months Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez (D-Los Angeles), has come under fire for lavishly spending campaign funds on travel, meals and gifts.[Link]
If the proposals are adopted by the FPPC, "politicians would have to attach a memo to their spending reports that shows the nature and recipient of gifts, details about who partook of meals and how travel related to governmental or political purposes."[Link]
"Together, the proposed reforms aim to better inform voters about who is bankrolling ballot measure campaigns and tighten vague laws under which some politicians." Over the past couple of months Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez (D-Los Angeles), has come under fire for lavishly spending campaign funds on travel, meals and gifts.[Link]
If the proposals are adopted by the FPPC, "politicians would have to attach a memo to their spending reports that shows the nature and recipient of gifts, details about who partook of meals and how travel related to governmental or political purposes."[Link]
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Thursday - Quick Hits
The Perta/Nunez lets stay in Sacremento longer ballot measure now below 50%. UT
Republican family values: OC Sheriff, his wife, and his alleged mistress face federal judge on corruption charges. LATimes
City of Vista places a moratorium on bargain stores, but does nothing about impending Super Wal-Mart. UT
Condo-Nazis complain about unpaid dues as foreclosures continue to rise. UT
A pair of ex-Chula Vista officials will receive smaller pensions. UT
Republican family values: OC Sheriff, his wife, and his alleged mistress face federal judge on corruption charges. LATimes
City of Vista places a moratorium on bargain stores, but does nothing about impending Super Wal-Mart. UT
Condo-Nazis complain about unpaid dues as foreclosures continue to rise. UT
A pair of ex-Chula Vista officials will receive smaller pensions. UT
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