Posted on 03/10/2006 5:35:09 PM PST by ArmstedFragg
Congressman Elton Gallegly announced today he would not run for reelection, citing "a medical issue that is yet to be resolved."
In a press release, Gallegly said it has been a privilege to have served Ventura County for the past 20 years, but said "circumstances over the past two weeks have convinced me that it is now time to begin the next chapter of my life."
(Excerpt) Read more at venturacountystar.com ...
Today was the last day to file. There's a candidate with papers pulled, and two Demo candidates. Unknown, yet, whether the Republican candidate managed to file in time.
The potential Republican candidate is Harvard-educated attorney Michael Tenenbaum.
http://www.flashreport.org/blog.php?
GOP Rep. Elton Gallegly to retire - Jamming McClintock?
by Jon Fleischman - Publisher
3-10-2006 3:47 pm
The last day for candidates to file for re-election always brings with it surprises. Certainly the biggest one of today is the surprise announcement this afternoon by long-time GOP Congressman Elton Gallegly (Ventura County - pictured) who has decided after 10 terms in the House of Representatives to call it quits.
Why now? Gallegly has told the Ventura County Star that it is due to health concerns.
(snip)
Strickland looks to be shifting his sights
by Jon Fleischman - Publisher
3-10-2006 4:31 pm
I just spoke with Strickland Team insider Joel Angeles, who confirmed for me that if it is true that Elton Gallegly is running for Congress, that former Assemblyman Tony Strickland is prepared to retool his run for State Controller into a run for the House of Representatives. You can be very sure that the first endorser that Strickland would get for this race would be that of the local Assemblywoman, his wife, Audra. Right after that, look for the next endorsements to come from two opposite sides of the GOP spectrum -- the local State Senator, Tom McClintock, would certainly support his close ally running for Congress -- and of course State Senator Abel Maldonado would be pleased as punch to have a free ride to the GOP nomination for State Controller.
There is one legal question running through my mind right now -- about whether Strickland can 'unring' the bell on his filed candidacy for State Controller -- and what happens with that. One thing is for sure, Strickland is a tough campaigner, and you can be sure that he would be the instant front-runner to succeed Gallegly.
(snip)
Gallegly: LOSER
by Jon Fleischman - Publisher
3-10-2006 5:03 pm
I can't imagine a worse way to end a career in Congress than pulling the manuever that Elton Gallegly has in Ventura County today...and it might work...but probably not.
Apparently unlike State Legislative seats, filing does not extend if an incumbent doesn't file (FR friend and political law expert Chuck Bell verified this for me). Gallegly, by waiting until two hours before the close of filing on the last day to file to announce his plans is really trying to stick it to former Assemblyman Tony Strickland.
Right now, Strickland has dozens of volunteers converging on the Registrar's office to sign nomination docs in time for him to file for Congress.
Shame on Gallegly for this kind of street theater..is he like four years old? Even the often-immature Bill Thomas retired with a week to give other candidates time to file...
Strickland hosed
by Jon Fleischman - Publisher
3-10-2006 5:28 pm
Elton Gallegly can chuckle over a beer tonight at his apparently successful effort to thwart our representative democracy. Despite a last minute scramble by Strickland and his supporters to get him filed - there was not enough time. So on the ballot is Gallegly (who has filed but announced he is retiring and will not be waging any campaign) and some obscure fellow named Tannenbaum. Strickland has a few days to consider whether he will try to mount a write-in effort, or keep his eye on the State Controller's seat. In the meantime, if anyone sees Elton Gallegly around town, avert your glance. He has brought shame on himself and the GOP today...
"The potential Republican candidate is Harvard-educated attorney Michael Tenenbaum."
Was Gallegly's last-minute withdraw timed to clear the field for Michael Tennenbaum? And if so, what are Tennenbaum's views?
What in the hell is up with Gallegly to pull such a classless stunt like this ? Is he trying to deliberately cost us this seat ?
Apparently. (See post 5) Knowing Elton, I doubt that he'd have made the move unless Tennenbaum's views were similar to his. Gallegly's a decent guy, married to a great lady. He used to throw picnics for fund-raisers. I wish him well in his battles to come.
Woops! Make that "see post 6". Jon's less than thrilled.
Damn, I voted for him twice.
He's gonna need it with the lynch mob that's forming as we speak.
I am unable to find anything about Michael Tennenbaum at all, not even a basic bio or a pic. Does anyone have any information about him to speak of?
Incidentally, DJ is right: this is not a worthy way for Gallegly to end his career.
http://members.calbar.ca.gov/search/member.aspx
Michael A Tenenbaum - #186850
Current Status: Active
This member is active and may practice law in California.
Bar Number 186850
Address 19958 Pacific Coast Hwy
Malibu, CA 90265 Phone Number (310) 456-5952
Fax Number: (310) 919-3727
Email: mt@post.harvard.edu
District: District 7
County: Los Angeles
Undergraduate School: Univ of California at Los Angeles; CA USA
Law School: Harvard Univ Law School; Cambridge MA USA
Status History
Effective Date Status Change
Present Active
12/18/1996 Admitted to The State Bar of California
---
http://www.vcba.org/about/committees.shtml
Ventura County Bar Association
(snip)
PUBLIC EDUCATION
Michael Tenenbaum
(310) 456-5952
The Public Education committee was formed to fight back the U.S. Chamber of Commerce attack on trial lawyers. The committee is currently developing a ready response team, which is prepared to deal with attacks made against the legal profession, the Speaker's Bureau, and Law Talk.
Interesting that he waited till after Brett Wagner droped out from challenging him! Brett is prolly cussing and swearing right now.
His address matches up with this website, but it has been "under construction" since 2004 and contains no information.
http://charitycardservices.com/7009.html
Actually, it sounds like Gallegly's choice was Simi Valley City Councilman Glenn Becerra, but I'm not aware of a Becerra candidacy. As for Tennenbaum, he had already been runnning before Gallegly's decision.
This has become even stranger. Now I don't know what to think. Does anyone have any additional information?
Really, I seriously don't know what in the hell has gotten into Gallegly. This is the kind of cheap stunt that urban Democrats play trying to stifle democratic competition by substituting/coronating a family member or a flunky at the last second. He damn well has some explaining to do.
Tennenbaum isn't even listed as a candidate in any website I've seen. Aside from the blurb about him that calcowgirl located, we don't know bubkas about this fella.
http://calbar.ca.gov/calbar/html_unclassified/3nr9709c.htm
SAN FRANCISCO, September 10 -- San Francisco attorney Stephen M. Levine will join the State Bar's Board of Governors September 13 as the California Young Lawyers Association (CYLA) representative for one year.
Levine, 33, is replacing Irvine attorney Jennifer Feres, the current CYLA representative whose one-year term runs out this month. He will officially take office September 13 at the bar's Annual Meeting in San Diego.
Levine has served as president of the CYLA this past year. A 1988 graduate of the New York University School of Law, Levine also has served on the Board of Governors of the Beverly Hills Bar Association and its Barrister Association.
Also taking office will be five newly elected members of the CYLA's Board of Directors, and the new president and officers.
The new CYLA directors include: Juliene H. Lee, a solo practitioner from Chico, for District 1; Michael D. Millen, a solo practitioner from San Jose, for District 3; James C. Sherwood, a partner at Dowling, Aaron & Keeler in Fresno, for District 5; Michael A. Tenenbaum, at associate at Sullivan & Cromwell in Los Angeles, for District 7; and Paul W. Smigliani, of SMAHA & Associates in San Diego, for District 9.
Torie, can a lawsuit be brought to demand filing be reopened ? I'd dare say Gallegly has engaged in deliberate fraud and deception in this matter. Mind you, it may be perfectly legal, but it sure as hell isn't ethical.
The reporting I saw was to the effect that he'd pulled his papers, but, as of a few days ago, hadn't returned them. One would (probably safely) assume he's made it now. Elton's press release describes his candidacy as unopposed, and mentions that there are a number of good potential choices.
Here's the press release:
http://web.venturacountystar.com/documents/gallegly031006.pdf
I just checked the list of candidates at the Secretary of State office and I don't even see Michael Tennenbaum listed.
Check for yourselves: http://www.ss.ca.gov/elections/election_2006/status/status_03_10_530pm_contest.pdf
If Tennenbaum isn't on the ballot, then if Gallegly wins the primary and drops out, it'll be decided by the local GOP organization. I suspect that Gallegly lined up commitments on this.
If my instincts are right, Glen Becerra will be the next Congressman. He's a Simi Valley City Councilman who looks like he's still in college. Here's his website for those who are interested:
http://glenbecerra.org/
His only political contributions seem to have been to a Dem candidate (also Harvard grad) and the CRP. The following is from http://cal-access.ss.ca.gov . There was only one Michael Tenenbaum at opensecrets, but they were from NY. In the California filing, he lists himself as retired, but just passed the bar in 1996??? Something strange about this fella.
Contributor
Recipient
Contest Name
Amount Contributed
Contribution Date
Contribution Type
Tenenbaum Michael, Michael Tenenbaum, Attorney, Thousand Oaks, CA 91360 LEVEY, A Lot Of People Supporting Jonathan, ID#1275995
State Assembly 41
$100.00
12/29/2005
MONETARY
Tenenbaum Michael, N/A, RETIRED, Thousand Oaks, CA 91360
CALIFORNIA REPUBLICAN PARTY, ID#810163 -
$210.00
9/15/2005
MONETARY
In Gallegly's press release: "With no incumbent or other Republican in the race, I am confident candidates will come forward who will give us excellent choices and who we would be proud to have represent us."
Umm ?!?!
That's a head scratcher. As is Tenenbaum.
Obviously, we need to find out if Tenenbaum ever returned his papers. If not, I'd say the lynch mob is a little premature.
Did you notice that in his retirement announcement, Gallegly mentioned Michael Bradbury, a longtime former Ventura County District Attorney and Gallegly ally?
It appears that Ventura County Republicans have rival fations, presumably lead by Gallegly and McClintock. In view of that, Gallegly's decision makes sense.
The next Congressman will either be Glen Becerra or Michael Bradbury.
FlashReport... Indispensible!
But what the heck is with Gallegly's timing. Maybe he was out to screw McClintock or Strickland. Either one could still mount a write-in campaign for the GOP nomination, but I like them on the paths they've already chosen.
No sign of him on the 7pm list, either.
http://www.ss.ca.gov/elections/election_2006/status/status_03_10_700pm_alpha.pdf
The other strange part (also from the press release), stating that he and Bradbury have been dealing with this situation for "two weeks." Well, pardon me, but that was certainly adequate enough time to let the fact be known he would not be running again and get some serious candidates the opportunity to file to replace him. None of this subterfuge makes Gallegly appear in a positive light.
Elton Gallegly will probably drop out officially after he wins the primrary, then the nomination will be decided by local GOP Party Committees. And I'll bet that those Committees are stacked with supporters of the Gallegly faction.
And, again, highly deceitful and undemocratic.
Are you saying that Becerra or Bradbury would run a write-in campaign?
They can't get on the ballot now, right?
Ventura County Elections confirmed by phone that Tenenbaum filed "this afternoon" and is on the Primary ballot along with Gallegly.
It takes a bit of time for that to show up on the SOS list -- counties take time to transmit that info to Sacramento.
>>highly deceitful and undemocratic.
Just win, baby! /s
Ah.... the definitive word. Thank You.
If Gallegly wins the primary and then withdraws from the race, the Ventura and San Luis Obispo County Republican Central Committee members will choose the nominee. And I'm willing to bet that those committees are dominated by supporters of the Gallegly faction, with supporters of the McClintock/Strickland faction being outnumbered.
I predict that the committees will choose either Becerra or Bradbury.
McClintock could easily win a write-in campaign under these circumstances.
Tom McClintock is currently running for Lieutenant Governor, and it would be very awkward for him to drop out now. Same with Tony Strickland, whose campaign for state Controller has been badly compromised by his last-minute attempt to switch races.
Clearly, Gallegly thought this out carefully to assure that the next Congressman would be from his faction of the party.
Well, on the chance that Tennenbaum is the nominee and wins, and if McClintock fails to win the Lt Gov's race, he can always run for the House seat in '08.
I agree. If Strickland switched to a congressional run, we'd be left only with a candidate for Controller who thinks deficit spending isn't a problem.
Here is a blog from The Ventura Star from December 31, 2004, when rumors about Gallegly's possible retirement first circulated:
"I have heard for several years that Glen Becerra is being "groomed" for the Congressional seat. He is young, intelligent, energetic, and has very deep roots in the community and the county. His family has been here for generations. He will probably get Gallegly's support."
Mark my words, the boyish-looking, Hispanic Becerra is on his way to Congress if he wants to.
Here's the entire blog: http://blogs.venturacountystar.com/vcs/dennert/archives/2004/12/elton_gallegly.html
I wonder if Glen Becerra is any relation to the troglodytic Marxist 'Rat Congressman from Downtown L.A., Xavier Becerra ?
You make a good point. If you examine their pics, Glen and Xavier Becerra do resemble each other.
Yes. This was a 55.74% Bush district. In other words, it is certainly pickupable by the Dems if the GOP is in disarray. That being said, this catches the Dems flat-footed as well, so who really knows!
.
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