The California Republican Party board of directors voted just minutes ago to endorse Councilmember Carl DeMaio for mayor of San Diego.
Following the local Republican Party’s endorsement, the state party’s support of DeMaio may come as little surprise, especially considering Assemblyman and mayoral hopeful Nathan Fletcher’s subsequent switch to a decline-to-state voter.
However, the California GOP’s official position provides an opportunity for the state organization to use resources in the mayoral contest.
Rostra has reached out to local Republican Party Chairman Tony Krvaric for any comment he may have on the news.
Comments 9
From Fletcher’s website…
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 25, 2012
California Republican Party Plots Attack Against Nathan Fletcher
The executive committee of the California Republican Party convened a special telephone conference call this morning where they endorsed Carl DeMaio, paving the way for a six-figure expenditure attacking San Diego mayoral candidate Nathan Fletcher. Reports filed with the Secretary of State confirm at least $200,000 received by the CRP for the anti-Fletcher campaign. The special meeting was held one day after leading San Diego business leaders announced they are re-registering as independents after being inspired by Nathan Fletcher’s decision to leave the Republican Party.
“It’s unprecedented for the state party to spend that much money on a local non-partisan race,” said Fletcher spokesperson Amy Thoma. “It’s even more unusual for them to use the money to attack another candidate. Clearly they are threatened by Nathan’s declaration of independence. More importantly, they are threatened by former major donors to the party, several of whom participated in yesterday’s news conference, abandoning the party and threatening their financial base,” she said.
“Both parties are concerned that if Nathan wins, it encourage others, including those who remain in the major parties, to exercise a little more independence,” added Thoma. “Clearly, many California voters are frustrated by the partisan gridlock and political game-playing that dominate state politics,” she said. “It is clear party bosses and partisan insiders are threatened.”
“I was the Political Director of the California Republican Party where we gave more money and support to our grassroots causes and our county parties than at any point in our history because I believe in that effort.”
– Nathan Fletcher, March 10th
Q: “have you left the GOP too?” – Jon Fleischman
A: “short answer is no” – Amy Thoma
April 15, 2012
https://twitter.com/#!/FlashReport/status/191600966477430786
Seems Ryan Clumpner caught Amy Thoma with body parts in the wringer. Nathan “Double Clutch” Fletcher has surrounded himself with like minded Orwellians. This stuff lends itself to work by a humorist.
Good call CRP. Double down on actions that have already caused Nathan to surge in the polls. Take a few hundred grand and really let independent voters know that they are now your enemy too.
Go Nathan! It would appear that the GOP and its cronies are protesting a bit too much. I, for one, am not looking for someone who is beholden to out-of-touch party bosses. There’s a reason this is a non-partisan race–San Diegans demand and deserve someone who isn’t going to look at party bosses for direction on how to run our city.
Nathan gets that and these political hacks are scared because they know he’s right. I’m voting for Nathan because he’s made it clear that I am more important than a party boss. That’s exactly what I want in our next mayor.
So DeMaio spokesholes, keep deflecting. You’re just pushing more of us to the Fletcher camp.
“California Republican Party Plots Attack Against Nathan Fletcher”
Good grief with the victim card. Political parties exist to defeat opponents and win elections.
“Take a few hundred grand and really let independent voters know that they are now your enemy too.”
Classic use of the logical fallacy of composition.
“And at some point being part of a team means you have to care more about the team than your individual ambitions. If this Party chooses to endorse, I’d be honored to be your endorsed candidate. If you choose not to endorse, I’ll be honored to join our team either as a member or as a nominee for Mayor after the primary as we defeat Bob Filner and as we get our city back on track.”
– Nathan Fletcher, March 10, 2012
Since when does the State Party make endorsements in local elections? That’s setting a dangerous precedent whereby, at some point in the future, the State and County parties could actually be in conflict over a City race (definition of a circular firing squad?). And all so that Del Beccaro can join Krvaric as the second indignant poster child for why to vote for Nathan Fletcher?
On an interesting side note, it appears that Ron Nehring’s level of influence with the CRP ExCom, like with the SDGOP ExCom, has diminished to nil.