Huff and Anderson in a contest for Senate Republican Leader. From Capitol Weekly…
http://www.capitolweekly.net/article.php?xid=zssas9vz7kp5ss
The state’s uncertain budget future grew even murkier Thursday amid reports of a leadership battle in the Senate Republican Caucus.
Numerous Capitol sources confirmed a fight was underway to replace Sen. Bob Dutton, R-Rancho Cucamonga, who told his fellow Senate Republicans he intends to run for state Assembly. That has set off a leadership fight between Sens. Bob Huff, R-Walnut, and Joel Anderson.
It was unclear what role, if any, the state budget talks were playing in this power struggle, though the entire Senate GOP caucus did appear with Dutton at an impromptu Capitol press conference Thursday. GOP sources said they did not think the leadership fight was directly related to negotiations.
But these power struggles have marred budget talks in the past. Sen. Dave Cogdill, R-Modesto, was dumped by his caucus after he agreed to a budget plan that included tax increases.
The FlashReport noted today about the news, “There should be only ONE factor: both candidates need to make the case that they can lead the political fight to keep seats next year. Everything else is a lower priority.”