Well, well, well. Just when I thought that the Victor Manuel Perez for 80th Assembly District campaign was intimately involved with the current sleeze campaign being waged against Greg Pettis, Democratic Candidate for 80th Assembly District, they just might have proved me wrong. The recent mailings by Opportunity PAC to voters in Palm Springs, the Coachella Valley, and Imperial County have voters alternatively scratching their heads and guffawing in uncontrollable laughter.
Erica Solvig, reporter for The Desert Sun, in an article entitled "Outside funding inundates primary reports that special interests outside the CA 80th Assembly District have flooded the Coachella and Imperial Valleys with hate mail on behalf of Victor Manuel Perez. In fact, according to the Fair Political Practices Commission, Opportunity PAC has spent or plans to spend approximately $450,000 on hit pieces on behalf of Manuel Perez targeting the frontrunner Greg Pettis, Cathedral City Councilman and former Mayor Pro-Tem of Cathedral City. One has to wonder just what Opportunity PAC hopes to get in return for its investment should Perez be elected. One also has to wonder what the workers and their families in these AFL-CIO-labeled 'rogue unions' who typically make between $18,000 and $24,000 per annum might think about such expenditures by this PAC for a little-accomplished candidate on behalf of them.
Voters across the District also report receiving repeated live phone calls purported to be from the Pettis campaign at all hours of the day and night but that are clearly not from the Pettis campaign. This is an apparent attempt on the part of special interests to suppress voter turnout in areas of Pettis strength in the District.' The Pettis campaign has received 'many' reports on these harassing phone calls.
XPosted 5/18/2008 10:40 AM PDT on DailyKos in blog by BlueBeaumontBoyz and on MyDesert.com in blog by BluePalmSpringsBoyz
Greg Pettis, Cathedral City Councilmember for more than 13 years, former Mayor Pro-Tem of Cathedral City, and Progressive Democratic Candidate for the 80th Assembly District obtained the endorsement of The Desert Sun on May 4, 2008, for the November Democratic primary for the CA 80th AD due to his years of remarkable service, his involvement in the local Coachella and Imperial Valley communities, and his accomplishments and plans during his terms of office. Pettis obtained the solid endorsement of The Desert Sun.
U.S. Representative Barney Frank (D-MA), dean of the Massachusetts Congressional delegation and Congressmember from the Massachusetts 4th CD, gave a stirring speech early this evening to spur local Progressive Democratic activists to action on behalf of Cathedral City Councilmember Greg Pettis in his bid to replace the termed-out Bonnie Garcia (R) in the CA 80th Assembly District. Pettis is in his 14th year as Cathedral City Councilmember and has served as Cathedral City Mayor Pro-Tem. Frank noted in his talk that State government always benefits from having someone of Pettis' caliber move from local government to the State Assembly.
Frank, as usual, a combination entertainer, progressive Democratic rabble-rouser, and spiritual leader to thousands in the 80th AD, spoke about the failures of the Bush Administration in the areas of the environment, the economy, and education. Sometimes self-deprecating, sometimes assertive, and oftentimes Barney Frank, he delighted his audience with stories of Washington, D.C., and hopes for California and the 80th AD. Frank attacked the incompetence of the Bush Administration and the ambivalence of the Republicans towards freedom of speech. Frank noted that the monies wantonly spent during election campaigns is necessary and is protected under 'Freedom of Speech.' However, according to Frank, the financing of campaigns is one of the few areas where Republicans seem interested in protecting Freedom of Speech. Frank exhorted the attendees to help to fund Pettis' bid for the 80th AD, especially in light of the appalling amounts of monies being spent by the AFL-CIO-labeled rogue union and associations on behalf of the pretender to the Democratic nomination.
Palm Springs Mayor Steve Pougnet
Palm Springs City Councilmember Ginny Foat
Palm Springs City Councilmember Rick Hutcheson
Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund
Equality California
The Bottom Line Magazine
Palm Springs Democratic Club
Desert Stonewall Democratic Club
Invite you to meet
U.S. Congressman Barney Frank (D-MA)
and to join him in supporting
Greg Pettis
For California State Assembly (80th AD)
Saturday May 24, 2008 at 5:00 p.m.
Location for the Cocktail Reception at the home of Andy Linsky will be provided with a confirmed reservation
Suggested minimum contribution: $100 per person
Sponsor: $500 ~ Co-Host: $1000
Xposted 5/20/2008 8:58 PM PDT on MyDesert.com by BluePalmSpringsBoyz
The Greg Pettis for 80th Assembly District campaign announced earlier that Lt. Gov. John Garamendi, the highest-ranking Democratic elected official in California endorsed Pettis for the 80th AD to replace the termed-out, thank God, Bonnie Garcia (R). The campaign Press Release is as follows:
Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi, the highest-ranking Democratic official in state government, has endorsed Greg Pettis in the open 80th Assembly District race.
"While Democrats in the 80th AD are fortunate to have a wealth of choices this year, I'm getting behind Greg Pettis because he has a long record of results that matter to families throughout the Coachella and Imperial Valleys, and the experience to deliver on the promise of creating a healthier California," Garamendi said.
Based on an XPost 5/19/2008 12:00 AM PDT on MyDesert.com in BluePalmSpringsBoyz blog
Greg Pettis, Cathedral City Councilmember for more than 13 years, former Cathedral City Mayor Pro-Tem, and Democratic Candidate for the CA 80th Assembly District has again and again shown his ongoing and indefatigable support for the issues that are important to the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender communities. As indicated in earlier posts, Pettis is the only Candidate for the 80th AD, Democratic or Republican, to consistently and openly support Marriage Equality and Civil Rights for all members of the LGBT community. His opponent Rick Gonzales and Richard Guttierez have stated in public forums such as Democratic Club Candidates' forums that each would vote 'nay' on Marriage Equality. Victor Manuel Perez has refused to indicate in public whether or not he would vote for Marriage Equality if elected and shied away from answering directly at the same forums (his surrogates say that Perez supports 'gay marriage,' but Perez has not indicated that he would ever vote 'yea' on Marriage Equality in the Assembly. When his Campaign Director 'informed' members of the Desert Stonewall Democrats that Perez supported 'gay marriage,' members erupted in incredulity).
I received Press Releases from National Stonewall Democrats, the Sacramento Stonewall Democratic Club, and U.S. Representative Barney Frank regarding the decision by the Republican-dominated California Supreme Court overturning the ban on Marriage Equality in the State.
National Stonewall Democrats, co-founded by U.S. Representative Frank (D-MA), is the National voice of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Democrats. The Desert Stonewall Democratic Club is the official local Democratic Club for LGBT Democrats, sanctioned by both the National Stonewall Democrats as well as the Riverside County Democratic Central Committee. Zander, Vice-President Roger Tansey, Treasurer Bob Silverman, and Secretary James Reynolds are amongst the leaders of the local club.
News from the Palm Springs Village Fest Voter Registration and Democratic Candidate Tabling last night: Victor Manuel Perez fired his Campaign Director, Amalia Deaztlan, then rehired her this week.
Interesting that since the electronic filing deadline is approaching and the primary is less than 30 days away.
Deaztlan was similarly fired and rehired by the campaign of David Roth, Candidate for the 45th Congressional District during Election 2006.
Yesterday, I received a Press Release from the Greg Pettis for 80th Assembly District" campaign that summarizes Pettis' plan to protect the schools and the students from impending budget cuts.
Pettis has already garnered the support of parents, teachers, and staff across Riverside and Imperial Counties in his run to replace the termed out Bonnie Garcia (R). His plan also proposes solutions to the education crisis in the District resulting from failed decisions on the parts of leaders of the Boards of Trustees of the Coachella Valley Unified School District and the Palm Springs Unified School District.
Pettis' support in the education community includes Palm Springs Unified School District Trustee Meredy Schoenberger, El Centro Unified School District Trustee Diane Newton, and State Assemblymember Mike Eng (49th AD, member of the Education Committee).
Greg Pettis, in his 14th year as Cathedral City Councilman, former-Mayor Pro-Tem of Cathedral City, and Candidate for the CA 80th Assembly District, has now received the endorsements from every member of the California Legislative Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Caucus in Sacramento. Pettis has widespread support in the LGBT community Nationally, State-wide, and locally because of his progressive stands on issues important to the LGBT communities: Pettis fully supports the HIV/AIDS communities, universal healthcare, a strong local economy, good local schools and responsible academic oversight, a healthy environment, equality and justice for all Californians, and mentoring other members of the LGBT community.
The Greg Pettis for the California 80th Assembly District Campaign has announced that U.S. Representative Barney Frank (D-MA) will headline a fundraiser for the campaign on Saturday, May 24, 2008. Pettis has served with distinction for more than 13 years on the Cathdral City Council, also serving previously as Mayor Pro-Tem, and is presently the leading Democratic candidate for the 80th AD. Pettis was one of the first openly-gay electeds in the Coachella Valley and has solid support in the LGBT community amongst local, state, and National electeds.
Rep. Frank has served in Congress since 1981. He is the Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee. Previously, he was a Massachusetts State Representative and an assistant to the Mayor of Boston. Frank has also taught at several Boston area universities.
As of May 2007, Frank is one of two openly-gay members of Congress, the other being Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), who has also endorsed Pettis for the CA 80th AD (see BlogActive.com for its listing of the closeted gay members of Congress who regularly vote to harm their own clan).
Frank's blunt stance on outing certain gay Republicans has become well-publicized, dubbed "The Frank Rule" - that it is acceptable to out a closeted gay person, if that person uses their power or notoriety to hurt gay people.
Harvard-educated Greg Pettis, in his 14th year as Cathedral City Councilman and Democratic candidate for the 80th Assembly District to replace the termed out, thank God, Bonnie Garcia (R), has unparalleled credentials in the Progressive Democratic Movement.
Pettis has served on the City Council of Cathedral City for the last 13 years. During that time, he helped change a city that was once a place to drive through into a place where 50,000 people work, live, shop and live their dreams.
In addition to his duties on City Council, Pettis has worked on a wide range of committees designed to improve the lives of Californians and those in the Coachella and Imperial Valleys.
Pettis dealt successfully with environmental issues from Salton Sea restoration to serving on the Coachella Valley Mountains Conservancy Board to helping to negotiating the Multi Species Habitat Act which will guide future growth in the region in a more sustainable way.
In addition, Pettis has been working on transportation issues through the Riverside County Transportation Commission and the National League of Cities Transportation Policy Committee, helping to identify mass transit solutions that will help combat climate change.
Pettis was the first openly-gay elected official in Riverside County and has worked to bridge the gap between communities and to provide leadership to other gay candidates who have the desire to serve in public office but needed encouragement and mentorship.
Pettis is a member of Howard Dean's Democracy for America and has a Bachelor's of Arts degree from Azusa Pacific University and completed the Senior Executive Program in State and Municipal Government from the JFK School of Government at Harvard.
XPosted 5/7/2008 9:55 PM PDT on MyDesert.com by BluePalmSpringsBoyz
Greg Pettis, a Cathedral City Councilman for more than 14 years, a former Mayor Pro-Tem of Cathedral City, and Democratic candidate for the 80th Assembly District to replace the termed out, thank God, Bonnie Garcia (R), has long demonstrated his commitment to the environment and considered growth. In its endorsement, The Desert Sun (Pettis is our pick for Democratic nominee in 80th Assembly District), stated:
Pettis has been in office 14 years as a Cathedral City councilman. He knows the Coachella Valley best. He has strong relationships with local officials and understands local issues.
He has built a solid record of achievement while on the council, and we believe he is electable and will be effective in Sacramento...
...He plans to focus on...expanding incentives for green and renewable energy sources.
Richard Oberhaus, Campaign Manager of the Greg Pettis for 80th Assembly District Race, notified BlueBeaumontBoyz today that Pettis had obtained the endorsement of The Desert Sun. Pettis, Cathedral City Councilman for over 13 years, former Mayor Pro-Tem of Cathedral City, and Progressive Democratic Candidate for the CA 80th Assembly District, achieved what few, if any, previous Democratic candidates for State Assembly have accomplished in the Coachella and Imperial Valleys: Pettis obtained the solid endorsement of The Desert Sun.
Pettis has been viewed as the leading Democratic candidate by most observers in the 80th AD, obtaining endorsements from all of the Democratic Clubs who thus far have endorsed in the current race, from most of the Democratic electeds, from all of the Democratic electeds who have endorsed in the West Valley (Desert Hot Springs, Palm Springs, Cathedral City), and from the most active unions and locals in the district. In addition, Pettis has raised more money in each of the last electronic reporting periods than all three of his primary opponents combined. Pettis has also spent more money during each reporting than all of his opponents combined. Finally, Pettis has also raised more money during the last electronic reporting period, February, than his the presumptive Republican nominee, Gary Jeandron.
The surprising aspect of the endorsement of The Desert Sun is that not once have they previously endorsed Pettis during any of his Cathedral City Council races. In addition, The Desert Sun ritualistically endorses Republicans for higher office, including President/Vice-President, U.S. Congress, and CA Senate and CA State Assembly. Only during the California State-wide races, do they stray from the Bush/Cheney/Bono Baxely Mack/Battin/Garcia fold when they endorse Sen. Diane Feinstein (D) and Sen. Barbara Boxer (D) for the U.S. Senate and others for State-wide office.
A former Democratic rival endorsed Greg Pettis, Cathedral City Councilman and former Mayor Pro-Tem of Cathedral City, in his bid for the 80th Assembly District seat, according to The Desert Sun and the Pettis campaign. Pettis already has the endorsement of every Democratic club in the 80th Assembly District that thus far has endorsed, including the Desert Hot Springs Democratic Club, the Desert Stonewall Democratic Club, the Inland Stonewall Democratic Club, the Palm Springs Democratic Club, the Pass Democratic Club, the San Diego Democratic Club, and the San Diego Democratic Women's Club.
In addition, the former-candidate for the 80th Assembly District Mary Ann Andreas, former-President of the Sun City Democratic Club, Arnie Kaminsky, President of the Pass Democratic Club Jacqueline Atwood, Vice-President of the Pass Democratic Club Betty McMillion, the Treasurer of the Desert Stonewall Democratic Club Bob Silverman, the President of the Desert Hot Springs Democratic Club Will Pieper, Vice-President of the Desert Hot Springs Democratic Club Chuck McDaniel, Co-Chair of the Palm Springs Democratic Club Sandy Eldridge, Co-Chair of the Palm Springs Democratic Club David Pye, co-founder of the Palm Springs Democratic Club Lisa Arbalaez, former Co-Chair of the Palm Springs Democratic Club Robert Lee Thomas, Riverside County Democratic Central Committee Alternate Kira Klatchko, Paul Rasso, President of the Democratic Women of the Desert Nikki Stone, and other local Democratic activists have endorsed Pettis as the transformational candidate.
According to The Desert Sun reporter, Nicole Brambila,
Coachella City Councilman Gilbert Ramirez Jr., who was knocked out of the race for the Democratic nomination in March, threw his support behind the Cathedral City Councilman (Pettis) vying to replace outgoing Assemblywoman Bonnie Garcia, R-Cathedral City.
This week, three members of the Coachella Valley Unified School District (CVUSD) endorsed the candidacy of Rick Gonzales for the 80th Assembly District to replace the termed-out, thank God, Bonnie Garcia (R). Gonzales works for Wells Fargo as a comunity housing investor.
The news behind the endorsements is that this is a repudiation of the leadership of Victor Manuel Perez on the board and of his Candidacy for the 80th AD. Seems that Perez' major claim to the nomination is his 'credentials' on education. Backers claim that Perez has the unified backing of the education community in the Coachella Valley. Not.
XPosted 4/25/2008 10:36 AM PDT on MyDesert.com in blog by BluePalmSpringsBoyz
Been away on vacation and come back to major doin's on the 80th Assembly District campaign trail. Nicole Brambila (staff writer for The Desert Sun) penned an interesting article today (on mydesert.com) that explains that the Fair Political Practices Commission needs more time to investigate the claim by Greg Rodriguez, candidate for the Palm Springs Unified School District, Hillary Clinton delegate to the Democratic National Convention this summer in Denver, and a supporter of the Greg Pettis for 80th AD that the Victor Manuel 'Slick Manny' Perez campaign violated campaign ethics.
Here are portions of Brambila's article:
The Fair Political Practices Commission requested more time to look into whether it will investigate a formal complaint against an 80th Assembly District candidate (Perez).
Greg Rodriguez, who supports Democratic candidate and Cathedral City Councilman Greg Pettis, filed the complaint against Democratic candidate and Coachella school board trustee Manuel Perez on April 4, accusing him of failing to disclose who paid for his campaign advertising...
Earlier this week, The Desert Sun and its online edition, mydesert.com, detailed the California Fair Political Practices Commission complaint against the Perez campaign for the 80th Assembly District for unfair practices during the California Democratic Party convention in San Jose. For the entire article, refer to FPPC Complaint Alleges Candidate Skirting Campaign Advertising Disclosure.
The California Fair Political Practices Commission confirmed that someone had filed a complaint against 80th Assembly District Democratic candidate Manuel Perez accusing him of failing to disclose who paid for his campaign advertising.
The complaint was filed by Greg Rodriguez, Democratic activist and candidate for the Palm Springs Unified School District, against the failed Coachella School Board trustee April 4, 2008. Seems that Rodriguez has had enough of local failed school board officials and soiled campaigns.
"It's obvious some people want to manipulate rules and don't want to follow them," said Greg Rodriguez, who filed the complaint. "I think everybody needs to be scrutinized by the rules they follow."
The Desert Sun and its online edition, mydesert.com, detailed the California Fair Political Practices Commission complaint against the Perez campaign for the 80th Assembly District for unfair practices during the California Democratic Party convention in San Jose. For the entire article, refer to FPPC Complaint Alleges Candidate Skirting Campaign Advertising Disclosure.
The California Fair Political Practices Commission confirmed today that someone filed a complaint against 80th Assembly District Democratic candidate Manuel Perez accusing him of failing to disclose who paid for his campaign advertising.
The complaint was filed against the Coachella School Board trustee April 4.
"It's obvious some people want to manipulate rules and don't want to follow them," said Greg Rodriguez, who filed the complaint. "I think everybody needs to be scrutinized by the rules they follow."
