There were two bellweather races in Northern California GOP politics that were decided tuesday.

There was the 4th Congressional District – a race watched nationally and the 3rd Assembly District – a race watched by insiders, whose impact is no less significant.

Dan Logue ran against Sue Horne for the 3rd AD

Tom McClintock ran against Doug Ose for the 4th CD

Both races effectively pitted Doug LaMalfa / Establishment against Rick Keene / Sam Aanestad / Ted Gaines / Conservative activists.

If you looked from afar – you saw Sue Horne and Doug Ose’s huge endorsement lists. Establishment types lined up behind both candidates.

As the campaigns kicked off – it became apparent that Both Horne and Doug Ose were attempting to hide behind their endorsement lists. Once both were starting to get outed for the liberals that they are – then the gloves came off.

The only reason why Sue Horne did not spend an estimated $4.5 million assassinating Dan Logue’s character was that she didn’t have the means to write herself the checks to do so.

Ose did. Even with polling data showing a month out that he was down 30 points – Ose continued to pour money into his race (some $1.5million after the poll was leaked)

Horne, for her part – continued rolling out eatablishment endorsements well into her race and spent what little money she had on unbelievably nasty hit mailers.

Both Horne and Ose’s campaigns activated the Conservative base – earning them both Censures from local Republican organizations / Central Committees.

Logue won by 9.5% and McClintock won by 15%

The Logue v Horne race was seen as a proxy fight between Rick Keene and Doug LaMalfa – round one, Rick Keene.

The McClintock v Ose race was seen by observers all across the country as a referendum on the future direction of the Republican Party.

Logue and McClintock’s races proved that Principle does indeed win on the battlefield against the establishment.

The NRCC and the nimrods in Washington D.C. will do well to open their eyes and realize that:

Ose had the insiders lining up his endorsement list
Ose spent $4.5 Million – a primary record

McClintock had the activists and a few core Conservatives
McClintock spent $1.1 Million – 1/4 what Ose spent

David truely slew Goliath.

When the chips were down – Dan Logue was on the right side. Rick Keene, Sam Aanestad and Ted Gaines established the standard for Northern California.

The big loser was the establishment.

sacbee.com

“A new program in Placer County aims to ensure that every child age 5 and younger has health insurance.

The First 5 Placer Children and Families Commission this week unveiled the program, which works to enroll eligible children in government-funded insurance programs and offers a new health insurance product for those from families whose incomes are too high to qualify.

Coverage costs between nothing and $15 per child, with a maximum monthly payment of $45 per family. Eligibility is limited to families with incomes less than 300 percent of the federal poverty level, about $60,000 a year for a family of four.”

Who’s the Placer Co official behind this one? Don’t we have enough budget problems in this county? You’re telling me someone making $60K a year is elgible for public assistance? So where were the Placer Co. Stupivisors at when Oracle and HP are paying $30K for most of their lower level employees? I guess these folks should be on food stamps and in public housing.

Now that my campaign to represent the District 4 residence on the floor of the Assembly has been placed on ‘pause’ for the next few months, or maybe years, I now have some political time on my hands.

For those who missed my four months of campaigning, you can educate yourself on my race by visiting www.erichogueforassembly.com, I’ve decided to keep my content active for the next few weeks.

Thus, (I like sounding parliamentary) I’ve been invited to ‘blog’ for the great folks here at the Placer-CRA. I’m a member of the CRA, and now a member of the ever growing Placer-CRA ‘Blog Page’. I’m a daily reader, now an active blogger – I feel like I just confessed to the “Hair Club for Men”.

I start with a little breaking news today…

Yesterday I was voted to sit on the Board of Directors for “The People’s Advocate” in Sacramento. For those who do not know Ted Costa (The Father of the Recall), this organization has been a wonderful tool in educating the public concerning issues of taxation, government spending and our ‘out-of-control’ financing for California. Not to mention the initiatives that Costa and the People’s Advocate have brought to ballots for the citizens of the Golden State.

As it relates to my campaign, I promised that I would step aside if Ted Gaines decided to ‘not’ run for Congress…and I did. I also promised that I would stay involved politically – and I’m making moves to do just that. Adding this blog page to my political duties is another means to stay connected…both you to me, and me to you…for a future relationship in public service.

What do you say about starting this this relationship with a question?

Considering the effort to ‘reform the legislature’ with the fraudulent and personally pleasing “Proposition 93” (I’m voting No on 93, Willie Brown may come back to Sacto if this thing passes!), I’d like to ask your opinions about future propositions and initiatives that might bring ‘real reform’ to the Capitol in Sacramento.

Of the following ‘three’ initiative ideas, which one do you support for ‘real reform’?

1. Re-Districting with ‘fair’ districts that are apportioned with integrity toward population and not the majority party or politicians in control of the crayon that draws the lines.

2. Part-Time Legislature, reducing the costs of our political representatives, while reducing the size (population) of districts and increasing the number of representatives in Sacramento. In district more, able to communicate with a smaller district and reducing the dependence upon large staffs and full time fiscal costs.

3. Flat Tax, determining a percentage for the State of California that reduces the costs of housing and increases the amount of take home pay for employee and employer alike. Adding to this proposal a budget accountability threshold, if you spend beyond the means you automatically cut portions of the government to meet your fiscal balance, and those who are cut can blame the political spenders.

Give me your thoughts in the comment section below – let’s pick this blog page up and pass it around the state for more input and dialogue.

I believe that “Prop 93” goes down to defeat. We will need some new, sexier proposition, easily understood initiatives for the future of California. Your thoughts here will be offered for fodder in this never ending conversation of reform. I thank you.

Eric Hogue Keeps Faith with Assembly District 4

For months, Conservative Republican Eric Hogue has prepared to fight the good fight, and to assure that Assembly District 4 would have a strong, conservative voice should Assemblyman Ted Gaines decide to seek the seat in Congress that recently opened with the resignation of Congressman Doolittle. With Mr. Gaines’ announcement he will not be running for congress in 2008, Eric Hogue announces today he is reluctantly withdrawing his name for consideration in Assembly District 4 for the current election cycle.

“While I am tempted, and have been urged by many to seek office now, I made it clear from the very beginning that my candidacy for Assembly in 2008 was contingent on Ted Gaines running for Congress,” says Eric Hogue. “Since that is not the case, I will stay loyal to my word, and keep faith with those who supported my contingency campaign, and not seek office at this time.”

Eric Hogue will not go quietly into the night. He will continue to voice his concerns on the issues of the day through every medium available. Hogue has stated that He will seek out new ways to prepare for public office. “And just as I was ready for action in Assembly District 4,” says Hogue, “you can rest assured I will continue to seek opportunities for elected office, and to serve in a manner that will fulfill our common goals of effective, responsive, and responsible leadership.”

Hogue has also made mention of his ‘grassroots’ supporters, “My thanks and gratitude for those who helped launch a campaign from scratch – contributing hundreds of volunteer hours with great devotion to the cause. There will be another ‘appointed time’ for service, stay tuned. Until that day, thank you for your support, friendship and commitment. I will personally be speaking to each and every one of you over the next few weeks. I’m humbled, as well as encouraged as we set our sights on the future.”

Eric Hogue for Assembly, District 4

www.erichogueforassembly.com

The latest local buzz has been will Sam Aanestad Run? What about the Doug Ose rumors – does Ose want to run just to try and mess up Rico Oller? Does Ose have a chance in a conservative district like the 4th CD?

Leave us not forget – the “Contingent” Assembly Campaign of one Eric Hogue.

It is no secret that this blogger and Mr. Hogue are close. It is also no secret that as a result of his years on the air in Sacramento that he knows almost everyone in the Capitol.

When I spoke with Eric last night, he reminded me that his campaign is contingent and that support is lining up for him contingent and otherwise…

Senator Jeff Denham publicly endorsed Eric Hogue yesterday and wrote him a check. Audra Strickland, George and Sharon Runner have already publicly endorsed Eric as well.

As best I can tell, support seems to be lining up for Gaines to run for congress as well.

The bottom line – Eric Hogue’s future and Ted Gaines future seems to rest on the shoulders of one man – Ted Gaines himself.

I don’t really think the race is going to amount to much more than Gaines vs. Oller for the 4th Congressional.

The bottom line is that John Doolittle’s retirement has yielded three big winners and one colossal loser:

Winners:
Rico Oller
Ted Gaines
Eric Hogue

Colossal Loser:
Charlie Brown