California
Janz Wins State Dems Endorsement in Nunes Battle

Published
5 years agoon

For the second time, Andrew Janz is the Democrats’ choice for Congress.
The Fresno County Deputy District Attorney initially won his party’s recommendation during the pre-endorsement conference in January. Others objected to that result, forcing the final decision at this past weekend’s party convention in San Diego.

Politics 101
David Taub
The incumbent is Republican Devin Nunes of Tulare, first winning office in 2002. The top two vote-getters in the June 5 primary advance to the general election. Nunes and Janz are the frontrunners.
Dems Non-Committal for Big State Races
The big news out of the convention was that the party failed to endorse candidates for the biggest races. For U.S. Senate, state Sen. Kevin de Leon outpolled incumbent Dianne Feinstein 54%-37%. However, a 60% threshold is needed for the party’s approval.

Democrats attending last weekend’s state convention preferred state Sen. Kevin de León over incumbent Dianne Feinstein (above) for U.S. Senate. De León, however, fell short of the 60% vote margin needed for the party’s endorsement.
Are the convention-attending Democrats in touch with state voters? In a February poll, Newsom led Villaraigosa 23%-21%. And, Feinstein had a dominant lead over de León, 46%-17%.
For lieutenant governor, state senator Ed Hernandez edged former ambassador Eleni Kounalakis, 42%-41%. Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones emerged as the favorite for attorney general, commanding 56% of the delegates over incumbent Xavier Becerra (42%). But, since neither of those candidates earned 60%, it was just for bragging rights.
What Becerra Didn’t Say While Defending Unions
Today (Feb. 26), the U.S. Supreme Court hears a case about whether public employees who opt out of joining a union should still have to pay partial dues (for collective bargaining). California Attorney General Xavier Becerra filed an amicus brief in the case and also wrote an op-ed that appeared in the San Diego Union-Tribune defending unions in the pending Janus vs. AFSCME case.
What’s not in the op-ed is that Becerra received $14,600 in contributions from AFSCME in campaign contributions.
Governor’s Race Loses a GOP Candidate
The GOP field for California governor lost former congressman Doug Ose, The Sacramento Bee reported Monday. Ose cited an inability to fundraise as his reason for dropping out.
Ose also predicted that two other Republican candidates, businessman John Cox and Assemblyman Travis Allen, would face fundraising challenges that will prevent them from mounting statewide campaigns.
Sutton Supporters Prepare
Supporters are organizing to speak on behalf of Central Unified Superintendent Mark Sutton at Tuesday’s (Feb. 27) school board meeting.

Central Unified Superintendent Mark Sutton
At the Feb. 13 meeting, parents defended Sutton and complained to the board that not only has his contract not been extended, but it has not even been publicly discussed. Sutton’s employment with the district runs through June 30.
An attempt to recall two board members, Phillip Cervantes and Richard Solis, failed on technical grounds, according to the Fresno County elections office. However, such an effort can be attempted again.
The meeting takes place Tuesday at the Central High School east campus in the Wayne “Hondo” Hodge Performing Arts Center (3535 North Cornelia Ave., Fresno).

A notice for Sutton supporters about the Central Unified school board meeting.
Blackout Period for Campaign Contributions Ending?
Candidates for Fresno city elected office may raise funds at any time if the city council approves a proposal.
The council will hear a plan from City Attorney Douglas Sloan to eliminate the time restrictions candidates can solicit campaign contributions. Dollar limits would still apply.
This stems from a case in Austin, Texas, that is making its way through the federal court system. There, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit let stand a lower court ruling, that imposing blackout periods of when a candidate can raise funds is a First Amendment violation.
GV Wire’s Drew Phelps contributed to this story.
Curiosity drives David Taub. The award-winning journalist might be shy, but feels mighty with a recorder in his hand. He doesn't see it his job to "hold public officials accountable," but does see it to provide readers (and voters) the information needed to make intelligent choices. Taub has been honored with several writing awards from the California News Publishers Association. He's just happy to have his stories read. Joining GV Wire in 2016, Taub covers politics, government and elections, mainly in the Fresno/Clovis area. He also writes columns about local eateries (Appetite for Fresno), pro wrestling (Off the Bottom Rope), and media (Media Man). Prior to joining the online news source, Taub worked as a radio producer for KMJ and PowerTalk 96.7 in Fresno. He also worked as an assignment editor for KCOY-TV in Santa Maria, California, and KSEE-TV in Fresno. He has also worked behind the scenes for several sports broadcasts, including the NCAA basketball tournament, and the Super Bowl. When not spending time with his family, Taub loves to officially score Fresno Grizzlies games. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Taub is a die-hard Giants and 49ers fan. He graduated from the University of Michigan with dual degrees in communications and political science. Go Blue! You can contact David at 559-492-4037 or at Send an Email

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