Campaign signs springing up like weeds
May 8, 2008
A reader snapped a picture of this sign near Diablo Country Club. I tend to consider candidate’s campaign signs as Tombstones of Democracy as they clearly illustrate how disconnected candidates and parties are from voters. That said, it’s obvious this is a homemade sign as you can see someone took the time to print out the 6-separate sheets used to brew this political speech. Read more
Contra Costa campaign briefs
April 8, 2008
Ladies First. Delegates to the California Democratic State Party Convention last weekend unanimously endorsed Joan Buchanan as their candidate for the 15th Assembly District.
- California Firefighters (CPF) endorse Scott Kamena for AD-15 Republican Primary
- Guy Houston, current AD-15 Assemblyman and Contra Costa County Supervisor candidate (District 3) announced support for Assembly Bill 2417, the Safe Neighborhoods Act, authored by Sharon Runner (R-Lancaster). The Act increases penalties to criminals and targets criminal street gangs, felons with guns, and drug dealers by ensuring sufficient, and stable funding to local law enforcement.
Erik Nunn’s piece about how District 5 voters should elect “Common-Sense” Republicans like him that appears at the erstwhile Political Vanguard should be updated now that Erik has jumped to the Democratic Party to better serve his constituents. And how about that Democrat support for Uilkema and Mary Piepho!
Campaign signs sprouting like wildflowers
April 1, 2008
Howard Jarvis group drops Piepho, endorses Houston
March 25, 2008
The Howard Jarvis Taxpayer Association announced that it is endorsing Assemblyman Guy Houston for Contra Costa County Supervisor, District 3. According to a knowledgeable source in Martinez, incumbent Mary Piepho had received the Howard Jarvis endorsement during her first Supervisorial race but her poor performance on the County’s financial problems made another Jarvis endorsement impossible.
Concord Councilman Mark Peterson’s top ten reasons to attend his April 10 fundraiser
March 24, 2008
Concord Councilmember, Mark Peterson, will hold his kickoff fundraiser for his City Council relection campaign on April 10 at Grissini’s located in the Concord Hilton, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Appetizers and No Host Bar. $50 per individual and up. RSVP by April 2 to 925-676-3634 or e-mail art@bigpicturecoaching.com.
So as NOT to disappoint, here are Mark’s own TOP TEN REASONS YOU SHOULD SPEND THE BEGINNING OF SPRING WITH MARK PETERSON:
10. We can celebrate the 49ers’ and the Raiders’ perfect record.
9. Let’s talk about Obama, Chelsea’s mama, and finding Osama.
8. Springtime is the best time to focus on how many workers it takes to fix Ygnacio Valley Road.
7. Gives us a chance to discuss what’s not happening at the Concord Naval Weapons Station.
6. The grass is growing, flowers are blooming, birds are singing, and politicians are raising money. It’s called the “circle of life.”
5. We need to record everyone’s progress in Mayor Bill Shinn’s 100 Drinks Club – his version of my 100 Miles Club.
4. It’s that time of year to help Mark Peterson plan how he is going to pay for prom dresses for three daughters. (Please do not mention the prospect of three weddings.)
3. We can finally celebrate a year of snow in the mountains and a reason to take a vacation day.
2. Spring cleaning includes “cleaning out” our checkbooks to attend fundraising events.
And the #1 Reason….(drumroll)
1. Springtime allergies and spending time with Mark Peterson just seem to go together.
CCRA offers Republican Congressional candidate forum, Mar 19
March 5, 2008
The Contra Costa Republican Assembly (CCRA) will host a Republican Congressional Candidate Forum on March 19. Featured speakers will include Virginia Fuller (7th), Nicolas Gerber (10th), and Dean Andal (11th). The event will be held at the Denny’s on 807 Camino Road at Sycamore in Danville from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Call for reservations or e-mail for more information: Margie Kauble (510) 758-2637 or Denise Gianni (510) 222-2637, or e-mail.
Legislative candidates takes steps to switch places as nomination filings proceed June 3 election
March 4, 2008
By Pat Keeble
Editor, contracostainsider.com
There have been no surprises so far in the filing of nomination papers for the June 3 primary election. The top candidates, even with few incumbents running, were pretty much decided when Prop. 93, the term limits extension, failed in February. Most of these had announced their intentions last year.
The February election left all five of the incumbents in legislative districts in the county termed out of their respective offices as of early December. Three of the five are seeking to switch legislative houses. State Sen. Don Perata of Oakland is collecting funds for a run at the State Board of Equalization in two years. Assemblyman Guy Houston, R-San Ramon, is going down the ladder, looking for a seat on the county Board of Supervisors.
Candidates have until this 5 p.m. this Friday, March 7, to complete their nomination papers and turn them in, except in the cases where incumbents do not file for re-election. They then have until 5 p.m. Wednesday, March 12.
Candidates in the county’s three congressional districts will all have to file by this Friday, since all the incumbents are seeking re-election. All are multi-county districts, so the list here is incomplete, including only Contra Costa candidates.
In addition to the partisan primaries, voters will decide three county supervisor seats , nine Superior Court judgeships and seats on political party county central committees. None of the nine incumbent judges is being opposed so far.
As of last Friday, most candidates for partisan office or supervisor have taken out nomination papers, but have not filed them to get on the ballot. The Contra Costa Elections Office listed the following candidates. Other would-be candidates can take out papers and complete filing by Friday or, in the case of extensions, March 12. (*=incumbent) Read more
Contra Costa Prosecutors endorse Houston for Supervisor
February 19, 2008
In another sign of election season in Contra Costa County, the Contra Costa Deputy District Attorney’s Association has endorsed Assemblyman Guy Houston for Contra Costa County Supervisor, District 3. In addition to the endorsement of the Deputy DA’s Association, Houston has also garnered key county endorsements from Contra Costa County’s Treasurer Bill Pollacek, Assessor, Gus Kramer, and Sheriff, Warren Rupf. Last week California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger endorsed Houston. For more information call (925) 242-1489, or visit www.guyhouston.com.
Democrat Steve Filson to quit AD-15 campaign
February 18, 2008
Democrat blogger, Randy Bayne, cites a letter from the Filson campaign that says Steve Filson is dropping out of the AD-15 race. This Assembly seat is currently held by soon to be termed out Republican Guy Houston, who plans to run for Contra Costa County Supervisor seat now held by Mary Piepho. This leaves just one serious Democrat contender in the AD 15 race. Joan Buchanan is a San Ramon School Board Trustee.
