Herger has made it clear he has no intention of retiring. He has reiterated his anti-retirement mantra. As he told Republicans, who were attending a campaign seminar several years ago, "You may have heard rumors that I'm considering retiring, but it isn't true. I'm going to be in congress as long as Strom Thurmond."
The GOP establishment wants to choose who replaces Herger. They do NOT want a conservative upstart like Stiglich, who plans to be independent of the RINO establishment when he is in D.C.
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Commentary -- Friday, September 23, 2011
Will Doug LaMalfa Keep His Word?
A re-Pete threat is on the horizon to the "Three Amigos"
Doug LaMalfa has denied he wants to run for Wally Herger's congressional seat in 2012. But, the Shasta Conservative (SC) does not believe him for a second.
LaMalfa insists he is going to fulfill his obligation to remain a state Senator until at least 2014.
Herger has made it clear he has no intention of retiring. He has reiterated his anti-retirement mantra. As he told Republicans, who were attending a campaign seminar several years ago, "You may have heard rumors that I'm considering retiring, but it isn't true. I'm going to be in congress as long as Strom Thurmond."
Since Thurmond was in Congress 46 years, and died in office at 100 years of age, we may have another quarter of a century to go with Herger as our congressman if he gets his way.
But, other Republicans are salivating in the wings for Herger's spot and if past behavior is any indication Doug LaMalfa is willing to do any sissy thing to advance his political career.
In the 2010 election LaMalfa maneuvered a California Republican Assembly (CRA) endorsement by bringing suddenly brand new CRA members to the endorsing convention. The suddenly new member entourage consisted of six to eight LaMalfa relatives and a farm hand with his wife. Without these relatives and employees the endorsement would easily have gone to his opponent Rick Keene.
The "three amigos" (Jim Nielsen, Doug LaMalfa and Wally Herger) made a shot at statewide control of the CRA at the Spring convention. Paid political consultants, field coordinators & employees of the three amigos showed up representing highly suspect CRA unit chapters from all around the state.
Members of the "three amigos" entourage included Redding Tea Party leader (RTP) Erin Ryan (now a field coordinator for LaMalfa) and Nielsen employee Brenda Haynes. Neither Ryan nor Haynes had been members of the Shasta County CRA chapter much less had been chosen as delegates. But, there they were as brand new delegates representing far south counties. (By the way the 2010 RTP straw poll went for Col. Pete despite efforts by Ryan to support Herger).
Seeing the rampant lack of ethics the CRA credentials committee realized what they had to do to keep the CRA endorsement process honest. Fake chapters which had been formed by paid political consultant (to the "three amigos,") David Reade, have been terminated and David kicked out of the CRA.
If LaMalfa is to get future endorsements from the CRA he will have to do it without the benefit of previously used unethical methods.
The "three amigos" have helped each other's campaigns. While state and federal candidates may not legally join campaigns they can use a campaign flyer to announce their endorsements of each other thereby killing two campaign birds with one stone. Herger and LaMalfa did this in 2010.
But, LaMalfa and Nielsen may have reason to change their minds about one of their amigos.
A new threat is on the horizon that could keep LaMalfa from having the long-awaited chance to go for Herger's seat. Nielsen would, in turn, lose this chance to easily move forward into LaMalfa's state senate seat.
That threat is Colonel Pete Stiglich who ran against Herger in 2010 and against Nielsen in 2008. Nielsen and LaMalfa plan to advance politically sooner or later. But, as Colonel Pete Stiglich is about to announce his second candidacy against Herger, plans could go awry.
Most who have run against Herger have not come back to run a second time. But, Colonel Stiglich will. LaMalfa, and the CA GOP establishment, are going to have to make a decision. Either LaMalfa goes back on his word to remain a State Senator and complete his term, or he breaks with fellow amigo Herger and runs for Congress.
The GOP establishment wants to choose who replaces Herger. They do not want a conservative upstart like Stiglich, who plans to be independent of the RINO establishment when he is in D.C.
If the GOP establishment sees Stiglich as a threat who may actually win in 2012, they may hasten their decision to strongly suggest Herger not run, but instead let LaMalfa run. If Stiglich wins in 2012, then there goes the CA GOP's chance to keep RINO control of their District I congressman.
They are going to have to get rid of Herger either sooner or later and they know it. It is just a matter of when.
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Conservative troublemaker to the "Three Amigos" in earlier years working for Prop. 8 on a rainy Redding day.