Local Republicans

Sep 4, 2013

Statewide, California is ruled by Democrats. At the local level, however, it's a different story, where Republicans hold about half of the elected offices.

 

From the LAT's Mark Barabak: "Over the last two decades, California has become a Democratic fortress, beyond the GOP's reach in presidential campaigns and all but hopeless in statewide contests. Republicans are largely irrelevant in Sacramento, where the most important fights are between liberal and more moderate Democrats."

 

"At the local level, however, the picture is quite different. Despite the Democrats' sizable statewide registration advantage, Republicans hold close to half the 2,500 mayoral and city council seats in California, according to figures compiled by GrassrootsLab, a Sacramento research and political data firm."

 

"In the last two statewide election cycles, when Californians voted true to partisan form — bucking the national GOP wave in 2010, siding strongly with Obama in 2012 — Republicans won more local contests than did Democrats, and not just in rural or such traditionally conservative-leaning areas as the Central Valley. More than 75 cities in California have a majority of Democratic voters but Republican-run city councils; the GOP has toeholds in such otherwise blue bastions as Alameda, Los Angeles and Santa Cruz counties."

 

Republican Doug Ose, a local businessman and former House member, says he'll run for Congress next year in the 7th District, where Democrat Amy Bera is considered vulnerable.

 

From the Bee's Christopher Cadelago: "The Sacramento Republican, who lost a primary bid three years ago after stepping aside from Congress in 2005, formally announced his campaign as a guest on the afternoon "John McGinness Show" on KFBK (1530 AM) in Sacramento."

 

"I am running because this is my home and I know this district," Ose said. "The issues here are very, very straightforward."

 

"Ose said the economy remains sluggish largely because of the policies of the Obama administration. Most of the job growth is in part-time employment, yet elected leaders continue to tout the recovery while recent college graduates have to settle for low-wage positions, Ose said."

 

The rumor, which spread like wildfire on Tuesday, that The Broiler had closed surely wasn't true. But incredibly it was.

 

From the Bee's Allen Pierleoni: "The Broiler opened at J and 10th streets in 1950, quickly becoming the steak-and-cocktails destination of choice for the politicians, lawyers and lobbyists who inhabited the nearby state Capitol."

 

"The Broiler changed hands in 1962 and again in 1985, when its last owners — Lords and his late wife, Marilou Lords, teamed with Walter Harvey and his late wife, Gloria Harvey, in the Broiler operation. They also partnered in Gallagher’s Bar & Grill in east Sacramento. In 1999, the two restaurants moved to new quarters at 1201 K St. The Harveys sold their interest, leaving the Lords as sole owners."

 

"Part of the Broiler’s charm was its sense of retro, on the menu and in the decor. For instance, thedining room looked as though it had been transported from another era; the wall sconces from the original restaurant help that vibe along."

 

Now that Bob Filner is out, who will the next elected mayor be? The field is becoming a bit clearer in San Diego.

 

From the U-T's Craig Gustafson: "The race to become San Diego’s next mayor became clearer Tuesday as three high-profile figures ruled themselves out, thinning the field and putting the focus on two major contenders — Republican City Councilman Kevin Faulconer and Democrat Nathan Fletcher."

 

"The goal by insiders on both sides of the political aisle has been to align themselves behind a single candidate and it appears a holiday weekend of cajoling and arm-twisting among Republicans had the desired effect. Meanwhile, a handful of Democrats continue to mull a mayoral bid and former City Attorney Michael Aguirre says he’s running."

 

"In rapid-fire succession Tuesday, county Supervisor Ron Roberts and former Councilman Carl DeMaio, both Republicans, announced they wouldn’t run followed by Democrat Todd Gloria, the council president turned interim mayor."

 

Driving across the Bay Bridge is one thing, riding across it on your bicycle is quite another. How cool is that?

 

From the Chronicle's Matier and Ross: "With the east span finally open, planners are already at work on the next mega-Bay Bridge project - a $1 billion-plus makeover of the western span that would include a $500 million hanging bike path."