HALFWAY TO CONCORD » primary

CCRA gives nod to Rao in straw poll for Republican AD-15 nomination

admin — Thu, 15 May 2008 04:46:39 +0000

The Contra Costa Republican Assembly, the Conservative Voice of the Republican Party, Wednesday night held a straw poll for that party’s nomination for the Assembly District-15 race on June 3. Both Rao and San Ramon Councilmember, Abram Wilson, appealed to the members in attendance, on the basis of their conservative principals and experience. Livermore businessman, Robert Rao, won the straw poll of those in attendance.

Similar conservative bona fides aside, Rao emphasized his business acumen, while Wilson stressed his public record as councilmember and mayor of San Ramon. The endorsement required a two-thirds vote. After the result was announced the group expressed its sincere thanks and best wishes for Wilson.

Scott Kamena and Judy Lloyd, also running for the Republican nomination, did not attend.

Campaign signs springing up like weeds

admin — Thu, 08 May 2008 22:39:35 +0000

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.

So as Primary season gears up, send pictures of unique vernacular examples you find to editor@halfwaytoconcord.com, and we will publish what we can space permitting. Pictures of defaced signs, no matter how funny, will not be considered.

Buchanan to cut ribbon on AD-15 campaign HQ, Apr 12

admin — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 00:36:37 +0000

Democrat Joan Buchanan will cut the ribbon for her Primary campaign headquarters in San Ramon on Saturday, April 12, at 10:00AM. The Buchanan for Assembly will take place at the new digs located at 2694 Bishop Drive, Suite #121, in San Ramon. Precinct Walk follows. RSVP here or call the campaign at 925-806-0560.

Diablo Valley Dems to hold primary preview, Apr 16

admin — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 22:04:07 +0000

The Diablo Valley Democratic Club will help prepare voters for the June 3 primary with presentations by candidates for the Democratic County Central Committee. Propositions 98 and 99 (Eminent Domain) will be explained. The meeting will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, Apr. 16, at Mt. Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church, 55 Eckley Lane, Walnut Creek. Bring a nonperishable food for the Monument Crisis Center. The club serves residents of Concord, Clayton, Martinez, Pleasant Hill and Walnut Creek. For more information call 925-335-2647.

Sheriff Charlie Plummer endorses Scott Kamena for Assembly (AD-15)

admin — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 00:57:40 +0000

Law enforcement legend Sheriff Charlie Plummer has announced his decision to back Republican Scott Kamena for State Assembly. Plummer with 54 years of service, served five terms as the Sheriff of Alameda County from 1987 to 2007, and is a statewide leader in law enforcement. “I have spent my life protecting our community from crime,” said Plummer. “Scott understands what it will take at the state level to keep families and neighborhoods safe. Simply put, nobody will be tougher on crime.”

Local candidates announce state and county campaign news

admin — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 21:37:57 +0000

Scott Kamena’s campaign for the Republican nomination for the 15th State Assembly race announced this week that Councilman Jeff Williams, became the fifth member of the Livermore City Council to publicly endorse Kamena’s campaign, marking the first unanimous City Council endorsement in the race for the 15th Assembly District. Livermore is the largest city in the sprawling district, which encompasses portions of Alameda, Contra Costa, Sacramento and San Joaquin counties. The endorsement of the City Council follows the unanimous endorsement of the Livermore Area Recreation and Parks District to which Kamena has been
elected twice.

Meanwhile, the Guy Houston campaign for the Contra Costa County Supervisor seat (D-III), announced it finished 2007 with $187,189 in total contributions. Incumbent Contra Costa Supervisor, Mary Piepho, raised $15,073 in the last six months since Houston announced his run for Supervisor. Houston also has garnered key county endorsements from Treasurer Bill Polleck, Assessor Gus Kramer and Sheriff Warren Rupf.

Pinole Recall Wins; Faux Term Limits Lose

admin — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 17:51:51 +0000

Forget the California Presidential Primary results.

If, as Tip O’Neill said, “All politics is local,” then the most important election results for Contra Costans last night were the landslide victory of the Pinole Recall and the loss of Prop 93, the cynical attempt by political insiders to dress up an incumbent insurance policy as term limit reform.

The Pinole Recall victory is momentous as it provides a wonderful example for cities like Brentwood, Concord, Disco Bay, and others where ordinary citizens (see video) were able to stand up to unions, the Democratic Party Machine, their curiously silent County Supervisor and neutered Republican Party, redevelopment interests, and an entitled incumbent, seemingly secure in her sinecure, to take back their City from runaway incompetence and pandering to special interests.

The defeat of Prop 93 is promising as it reveals that the electorate was able to see through the vast corrupt deception perpetrated by creeps like Dom Perata, Fabio Nunez, and their toadies in the Assembly, who, more often than not, get to choose their districts, rather than voters select them.

Kamena primary campaign for Assembly (Rep-AD-15) reports highest cash on hand

admin — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 17:13:59 +0000

Livermore Parks Director and Assembly candidate Scott Kamena reported $361,751 in total contributions for 2007, more than all of his opponents for the third reporting period in a row. To date, Kamena says he has collected the vast majority of his contributions from sources within the 15th Assembly District. In addition to his lead in fundraising, Kamena’s campaign says it has garnered more district endorsements than any other Republican or Democrat running for the highly profile 15th Assembly seat.