Fred Klaske It's Fred Klaske Redux!! by: babaloo Wed Mar 25, 2009 at 14:23:11 PM PDT "What happens when one of SF's top political minds runs for Congress vs. the East Bay political establishment? Follow @adriel4congress & see" Discuss :: (4 Comments) Fred Klaske (Gibberish Edition) by: babaloo Sat Dec 08, 2007 at 23:17:26 PM PST In AD-15 news, the latest Fred Klaske email came out Friday, and aside from the big bombshell that he's dropping $100,000 of his own money into his race, it was vintage Klaske -- that is to say, mostly indecipherable: More on the flip... There's More... :: (2 Comments, 581 words in story) AD-15: Fred Klaske Facts by: Matt Ortega Fri Sep 28, 2007 at 00:15:16 AM PDT ( - promoted by babaloo) Cross-posted at MattOrtega.com Meet Fred Klaske. He's running for the Democratic nomination in California's 15th Assembly District. Klaske -- an avowed supporter of then-Democratic candidate Jerry McNerney -- announced his intention to run for the Democratic nomination in California's 11th Congressional District during the campaign season for the 2006 midterm elections. "Fred Klaske's always in your  corner." Fred Klaske redefined what it means to run an "insurgent campaign." He currently lives in Castro Valley -- outside  the district; yet conveniently close to the campaign headquarters just outside the canyon separating Castro Valley from AD-15. The office in San Ramon ain't bad, so long as you don't mind all the UPS signs everywhere. (This will be of no solace to The Progressive Connection's babaloo, but Fred Gear, apparently, is tough to come by.) Fred Klaske is a renaissance man: He's a candidate in the 15th Assembly District and  a delegate from the 18th AD. (Suck on that, Chuck Norris.) Fred Klaske is a blogging genius: I was planning in my latest eblast that went out today to discuss the ongoing strike by the UAW against GM, but news often happens faster than real life ... [emphasis added] And when it comes to the official Fred Klaske for Assembly blog, he wants you to know... ... that with my busy schedule, I won't be able to post here very often ... ... but to be sure to... ... stop by often. So when you are continuously visiting Fred's infrequently updated blog, be sure to read posts that you've read once already because it is going to take at least two read throughs to fully understand Fred's literary awesomeness. More Fred facts on the flip... There's More... :: (2 Comments, 338 words in story) Democratic Party Targets Race But Shoots Blanks by: babaloo Sat Sep 22, 2007 at 00:05:43 AM PDT One month ago, I wrote about the Democrats’ failure to recruit a single candidate in the San Ramon City Council and Mayoral election scheduled for November 2007. In the absence of any electoral challenge, the two incumbent City Council members and the incumbent Mayor, all Republicans, were appointed to new terms last month. Now, I made a fleeting reference to the fact that this shameful state of affairs was going to act as a boost to Mayor H. Abram Wilson’s candidacy for State Assembly in the 15th District, but I guess it’s time to revisit the issue and spell out the ramifications of what amounts to a case of Democratic Party malpractice. From Bill Baker to Richard Rainey to Lynne Leach to Guy Houston, there has been a steady stream of Republicans representing AD-15 over the last two decades. But in recent years, Democrats have closed the registration gap with Republicans to less than 2%, and the CDP has targeted this seat as one ripe for a challenge. It’s important to understand a few things about this race. On the Republican side (and I’m basing my assessment here strictly on campaign cash on hand), there are four viable candidates: Scott Kamena, businessman; Judy Lloyd, businesswoman; Robert Rao, businessman; and Abram Wilson, Mayor of San Ramon. Now, it’s probably not much of a surprise to see the results of this August 1, 2007, Probolsky Research poll commissioned by Wilson: Among the candidates in the race for the Republican Nomination in the 15th Assembly District, Mayor Abram Wilson has the highest name identification among the voters. In fact his positives are more than two-to-one over the next opponent. WILSON KAMENA LLOYD RAO Positive Name ID 21% 8% 2% 2% Negative Name ID 2 2 1 1 In the ballot test Mayor Wilson earns an impressive margin over the next closest opponent. WILSON 18% KAMENA 7 LLOYD 2 RAO 2 Where's the malpractice? Find out on the flip... There's More... :: (2 Comments, 662 words in story) Fred Klaske: Standing Firm On The Issues by: babaloo Tue Sep 11, 2007 at 23:22:52 PM PDT So I moseyed on over to Fred Klaske's AD-15 campaign website the other day, and I have to say -- you just can't make this stuff up. There on his home page was the following message and illustration: I will not run away from the tough issues that our state faces… -- Fred Klaske Discuss :: (1 Comments) When Trying Isn't Enough by: babaloo Mon Jul 23, 2007 at 11:38:29 AM PDT One month ago, I wrote a post about Steve Filson’s MySpace page and the inherent problems faced by politicians who don’t carefully monitor their social networking sites.  Filson stopped by in the comment section a few weeks later to bemoan the difficulty of pulling down the site with the following statement: Believe me we don't like it anymore than anyone else but we do not "own" the site and thus cannot easily take it down. We did try for several months in 2006 to stop it but we were unsuccessful. We have now found a solution and are working on it again since it has attracted this kind of offensive posting. We thank you for bringing it to our attention. Well, you're welcome. However, I would strongly suggest that Filson needs to try a little harder. Just one day after he left his comment here, his MySpace site attracted another comment, this one promoting the tremendous business opportunities that are available in buying choice marijuana online and setting yourself up as the local retailer in your neighborhood. See for yourself on the flip... There's More... :: (0 Comments, 122 words in story) Do You Think He's Counting His Own Money? by: babaloo Fri Jun 29, 2007 at 23:58:22 PM PDT Sheesh. You know, I heard earlier in this campaign season that Fred Klaske had hired Jim Ross to act as his campaign manager. Now, I haven't heard much more about Ross since those early days. And that makes sense because something tells me that he isn't actually managing the campaign — at least, not actively. Otherwise, Klaske would never have made the kinds of mistakes he's been making. And in the latest fundraising email which he sent out today, Klaske has committed the cardinal sin of politics: mismanaging expectations. After announcing that he has raised "over $38,000" from "over 90" donors, Klaske gloats that he is on target to meet the eight goals he set for himself at the beginning of the campaign. Humble, they're not. With your help, we can hit all eight of the goals I set for this fundraising round earlier this month when I found out we had an excellent chance to come in number one among the six Democrats vying for this 15th Assembly District seat in the "East East Bay" of Northern California: Largest amount of money raised of the six Democratic candidates in this race Largest number of donors of the six Democratic candidates in this race Largest number of endorsers of the six Democratic candidates in this race More money raised than the other five Democratic candidates combined More donors than the other five Democratic candidates combined More endorsers than the other five Democratic candidates combined More money raised online through ActBlue than any other Democratic Assembly candidate in all of California More online donors through ActBlue than any other Democratic Assembly candidate in all of California We'll all know shortly whether Klaske can live up to these flamboyant promises. Anyone want to start a pool? Discuss :: (1 Comments) Our Efforts Are Pledging And Our Wallets Are Singing -- For The Children by: babaloo Sat Jun 09, 2007 at 00:34:13 AM PDT Yeesh. Democratic candidate Fred Klaske just sent out yet another fundraising email in his campaign for the 15th Assembly District. I have to say this guy has a special talent — unfortunately, it’s not for politics. But if you’re looking for an expert in mangled metaphors, hey, Klaske’s your guy. I'm happy to report that through the end of May, over 100 of you have already responded to my on-line or telephone request for help -- and together our efforts have pledged over $35,000 into this campaign  to make a real difference for this district and for all Californians, especially our children. With the first reporting period of June 30th coming up in less than 4 weeks, I need your help right now. I need you who haven't yet had a chance to let your wallets or purses be heard, to step forward right now and contribute your voice to the growing chorus that is fueling this campaign -- by donating today . Well, I don’t know about your wallet, but mine has a prior singing engagement. Discuss :: (0 Comments) June Is Pledge Month At Channel Fred by: babaloo Thu Jun 07, 2007 at 01:59:53 AM PDT Well, Fred Klaske is at it again. In his most recent email, Klaske introduced the latest feature of his campaign: Channel Fred. Here’s how he describes it, in only three remarkable run-on sentences: For several weeks, we've been planning to announce the latest step in communicating with you on what's happening with the campaign to turn the 15th Assembly District from red to blue in 2008... ...and we are extremely excited to finally be able to unveil "Channel Fred" -- a regularly updated area on the campaign's website where I have a chance to communicate directly to you, "in person" on various aspects of the campaign, and on issues that matter to both you and me. [gasp!] This newest "reach-out resource" of our campaign will require you to have the latest Flash updates on your web browser, but you can easily get that here -- and since the vast majority of browsers support Flash, if you can view YouTube videos on the web, you can watch and hear from me via your web browser without any problems at all. [deep breath!] We intend to make even more use of the latest in virtual communication technology to ensure that you know exactly how I will communicate, in a clear, consise, [sic] and compelling fashion, the issues that need to be addressed, and the right means to solve them, to the people who need to hear that when I am in the Assembly, fighting for you and your families each and every day. [whew!] Okay, I officially give up. It’s been fun mocking Fred Klaske over the last several weeks, but he’s now moved into a realm where I can’t compete. I’m reminded of a quote from Florida’s great satiric novelist Carl Hiaasen: There are times when it's frustrating because when I've written something that I think is about as sick as it gets, and about the best I can do — and the next day in the Miami Herald there's a headline that just makes me weep that I didn't think of it. It's worse than anything I could have thought of, you know, I mean, I just feel defeated. But enough about me. Find out more about Channel Fred on the flip… There's More... :: (3 Comments, 501 words in story) Decaf For One -- Er, None by: babaloo Wed May 23, 2007 at 01:11:42 AM PDT Fred Klaske, one of the Democratic candidates for Assembly District 15, has been busy establishing monthly meetups in his base of San Ramon. According to the Meetup website, Klaske’s May 9 event was attended by one person — Fred Klaske.  Next month’s meeting is scheduled for June 13, and it looks like attendance is dropping… Fred Klaske himself hasn’t even bothered to RSVP. More gory details on the flip... There's More... :: (0 Comments, 129 words in story) I'm Looking For A Tee-shirt, Not Bubble Wrap by: babaloo Thu May 10, 2007 at 02:04:15 AM PDT I know that it may seem like I'm being unnecessarily harsh in my treatment of Fred Klaske, one of the Democratic candidates for the 15th Assembly District. But honestly, this guy has painted such a giant target on his backside that it's just irresistible to take aim and fire away. In an email sent out by his campaign two weeks ago, he uttered this now famous phrase: Phase I of our campaign (investigation, outreach and awareness building) is now complete. We have broken through the $20,000 mark as we begin Phase II (gathering the resources)… So I'm left wondering about what the different phases of Fred Klaske's campaign just might be. More specifically, I'm wondering which phase it's going to be where he actually, like, you know... moves into the district. We already know that he doesn't live in the district. We also know that the charter for his 15th Assembly District Democratic Club was revoked by the CDP because of residency issues. But at least he has an office in the district, right? It's right there on his website, down at the bottom: Klaske for Assembly, 2415 San Ramon Valley Boulevard, Suite 4-431, San Ramon, CA 94583. Read about my visit to Fred Klaske's office on the flip… There's More... :: (3 Comments, 189 words in story) Fred Klaske: Mission Accomplished by: babaloo Sat May 05, 2007 at 14:46:49 PM PDT Phase I of our campaign (investigation, outreach and awareness building) is now complete.                                               -- Fred Klaske, Democratic candidate for AD-15 So I'm afraid that those voters in AD-15 who didn't get a chance to shower Klaske with flowers and candy are just out of luck. Too bad, so sad… you missed Phase I, and Klaske's mission is now apparently accomplished. No further need for that pesky investigation, outreach and awareness building — onward to the important business of Phase II: fundraising. Discuss :: (0 Comments) 15th Assembly District Democratic Club -- RIP by: babaloo Wed May 02, 2007 at 01:30:40 AM PDT In an email sent out to local Democratic leaders just last Friday, AD-15 candidate Fred Klaske encouraged them to join in his newly chartered 15th Assembly District Democratic Club: I was asked to organize the 15th Assembly District Democratic Club soon after the old system of Assembly District committees was dissolved by the California Democratic Party to address concerns about campaign finance issues, and our club received one of the first charters for such a club from the CDP. Given the sprawling nature of this Assembly District, as well as the lack of a sitting Democratic Assemblyperson to represent, and coordinate the efforts within this District, this club has been formed with registered Democratic members living within, or adjacent to, the 15th Assembly District, with the intent of assisting the clubs, and the UDCs of each county, to be as effective and efficient as possible in three main areas: Membership drives for the clubs Voter registration by the clubs and the UDCs Get out the vote (and especially Democratic votes) by the clubs and the UDCs This 15th Assembly District Democratic Club can best help in that area by providing cross-district communication, coordination, and collaboration (the "glue" to connect all of these geographically spread out parts) - allowing the clubs and UDCs to effectively and efficiently "share the wealth" of ideas and programs that are effective in accomplishing those three critical objectives above -- by passing to each other the best practices that exist for consideration by other clubs to consider adopting as their own going forward. Now, one of the other candidates in the AD-15 race, Steve Thomas, reacted strongly to Candidate Klaske starting and running a Democratic Club for the 15th AD, claiming that it constituted a conflict of interest. However, to the best of my understanding, the rules of the CDP do not preclude any Democrat, whether a candidate or not, from participating at any level in a Democratic club. But it turns out that Fred Klaske and the 15th Assembly District Democratic Club had a bigger problem. More on the flip… There's More... :: (3 Comments, 196 words in story) The Morse Code of Narcissism: A Love Letter to Myself by: babaloo Fri Apr 27, 2007 at 02:16:14 AM PDT After receiving a campaign email yesterday from Fred Klaske, candidate for AD-15, which was apparently designed to engage supporters, one of TPC's loyal readers submitted a slight variation of the original: FROM: Frederic Klaske SUBJECT: oh, Lisa Vorderbrueggen, yeah, do your -- part for EarthWeek (Gaylord Nelson) -- stop what you're doing right now, Phase I is over, and help power my non-stoppable solar-powered bus over the funding hill!) I I I I -- I I we I our -- I I we Gaylord Nelson our; I I I I I we I I  I I I I -- I I we I our -- I I I I we our; I I I I I we I I  I I I I -- I I we I I I I we I I I I I we I I  I our -- I I I I we I I I I I we I I  I I I I -- I I we I our -- I I, I I we our; I I I I I we I I  I I I I -- I I we I our -- I I I I we our; I I I I I we I I  I I I I -- I I we I I, I I I we I I I, I I we I I  our -- I I I I our; I I I I I we I I  I I I I -- I I we I our -- I I I I we our; I I  I I I we I I I I -- I I we I our -- I I I I we our; I I I I I we I I  I I I I --I I we I our -- I I I I we I I my I I HEAD SHOT GOES HERE (that's me!) we I I I, I I we I I  our; I I my I I I we I I  I I I I --I I we I our -- I I, I I we our; I I I I  Lisa Vorderbrueggen I we I I  I I I I --I I we I I I I I we I I I I I we I I  our -- I I I I, we our; I I my I I I we I I  I I my I I --I I we I our -- I I I I we our; I I I I I we I I  I I I I --I I we I our -- I I I I we our; I I I I I we I I I I I I --I I we I our -- I I, I I we I I I I I we I I . Space in this email prevents me from listing all the events I did -- I I we Habitat foir Humanity our; I I I I we I I my I I I I --I I we I our -- I I my I I we our; I I I I I we I I  I I, I I --I I we I I I I we I I I I I we I I  I our -- I I I I we I I I I I we I I I I I I --I I we I our -- I I, I I we, our; I I, I I I we I I  I I I, I --I I we I our -- I I I I we our; I I, I I I we I I  I I I I --I I we I I I I I we I I I I I we I I  our -- I I I I our; I I I I I we Phase I of our campaign (investigation, outreach, and awareness building) is now complete. I I  I I I I --I I we I our -- I I ,I I we our; I I my I I I we I I I I --I I we I our -- I I I I we our; I I I I I we I I  I I I I --I $20,000 I we I our -- I I , I we I I, my I I we I I I I I we I I  our; I I I I I we I I  I I I I --I I we I our -- I I I I we our; I I I I I we, I I  I I I I --I I we I I I I I we I I I I I we I I  our -- I I I I we our; I I I, I I we I I  I I I I --I I we, I our -- I I I I we our; I I I I I we I I  I I I I --I I we I our -- I I I I we our; I I I I I we I I  I I I I --I I we I our -- I I, I I we I I I, I I we I I ; I I my I I --I I we, I our -- I I we our; I I I I I we I I  I I I I --I I we I our -- I I I I we our; I I I I I we I I  I I I I --I I we I I I my I we I I I, Martha Gamez I I we I I  I our -- I I I I we I I I I I we I I  I I I I --I Tracy I we I our -- I I I I we our; I I I I I we I I  I I I I --I I we I our -- I I I I we our; I I I I I we I I  I I I I --I I we I I I I I we I I I my I I we I I  our -- I I I I our; I I I I I we I I  I I I I --I I we I our -- I I, I I we our; I I my I, I I we I I I I --I I we I our -- I I, I I we our; I I I I I we I I we I our -- I I I I I I I --I I we I our -- I I I I we our; I I I I I we I I  I I I I --I I we I our -- I I I I we our; I I I I I we I I  I I I I --I I we I our -- I I, I I we I I I I I we I I  I I I I --I I we, I our -- I I we, our; I Ellis Goldberg, I I I we I I  I I I I --I I we I our -- I I I I we our; I I I I I we I, I  I I I I -- I I we I I I I we I I I I I we I I  I our -- I I I I we I I I I I we I I I I I I --I I we, I our -- I I, I my I we our; I I I my I I we I I  I I I I --I I we I our -- I I I I we our; I I I I I we I I  I I, I I --I I we I I I I I we I I, Phase II, I I I we I I  our -- I I, I I our; I I I I I we I I  I I I I --I I we I our -- I I I I we our; I I I, I push our bus over the funding hill and get it rolling non stop (and non-stoppable) I we I I I I --I I we I our -- I I I I we our; I I I I I we I I  I I I I --I I we I our --; I I I, I I we I I  I I my I I --I I we I I I I I we I I I I I we I I  our -- I I I I we our; I I I I I we I I  I I I I --I I we I our -- I I I I we our; I I I my I I we I I  I I I I --I I we I our -- I I I I we our; I I I I I we I I  You don't know I'm a millionaire but stop what you're doing and give me your money. Right now. Fred Klaske Discuss :: (2 Comments) It Was A Great EarthWeek For Our Campaign... by: babaloo Fri Apr 27, 2007 at 02:08:14 AM PDT The following is an actual email sent by Fred Klaske, Democratic candidate for AD-15, to his potential supporters in that race. From:  "Frederic (Fred) Klaske" Reply-To:  candidate@fredklaske.com To:  xxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx Subject:  It was a great EarthWeek for our campaign... Date:  Thu, 26 Apr 2007 14:03:28 -0400 (EDT) Klaske for Assembly 2008   April 26th, 2007 Dear xxxxxxxx,     As I'm sure you know, last Sunday, April 22nd, was Earth Day, as started by Gaylord Nelson, that avid conservationist, great Senator, and former Governor from my home state of Wisconsin, way back in the autumn of 1969, along with countless other supporters of the environment, back before being a member of the environmental movement was "cool" -- culminating in the first national celebration of Earth Day on April 22, 1970.   Head Shot of Fred Klaske     That tradition continues nearly 40 years later in towns, counties, cities and states across the US, and in countless other countries as well, and has been expanded to become a weeklong effort to do right by the planet we all inhabit, that none of us own, and all of us just rent for a while until we hand it over to our children, hopefully safe and sound.     I know each of you reading this has been doing your part to make this a better place to pass on to your children, and the rest of the community around you -- and I wanted to share with you what I've been up to this past week as part of my effort to become the strongest possible voice for the environment on the floor of the Assembly, through this campaign:     We've received the attention of arguably the most Knowledgable [sic] political reporter in the area -- Lisa Vorderbrueggen, of the Contra Costa Times, covering much of the land mass known as the 15th Assembly District -- in her latest blog entry, noting how heated this contest is going to be, with another 14 long months ahead, just to get to the primary.     I have been out and about with voter registration efforts in key swing parts of the 15th AD -- like Mountain House, with the great folks from the Democratic Club of Greater Tracy, led by their fearless leader, Martha Gamez -- and Livermore, pitching in to help the passionate go-getters from the TriValley Democratic Club, starting with their President, Ellis Goldberg, with manning a table at a local community college (Los Positas) and getting young Democrats all signed up for the 2008 elections.     Space in this e-mail prevents me from listing all the events I did this Earth Week in conjunction with the campaign, but the highlight simply has to be my annual pitch-in with Habitat foir [sic] Humanity East Bay, where we framed out 8 houses in a mere 4 days from foundation to roof, all built to the highest national green building standards.     Phase I of our campaign (investigation, outreach and awareness building) is now complete.     We have broken through the $20,000 mark as we begin Phase II (gathering the resources) and before our fundraising efforts even begin in earnest, but we need much more if we are to mount an effective effort to win the primary and make sure that our message of solutions, optimism, creativity and hope is the message selected by the Democratic party in the general election for this seat in November of 2008.     We are planning a slew of events to raise funds, and raise fun as well, throughout the Bay area in the months of May and June, so please check in for more details as we get them underway, and if you would like to be involved, please drop me a line and let me know.     Our first Meetup site is up and running in our base camp of San Ramon, so if you are in the area, and want to stop by for some coffee or tea (please, just decaf for me) and chat about the matters that matter to you, by all means -- come on by.  If you live in adjacent areas like Livermore, or Tracy, or Walnut Creek, or Brentwood, or anywhere else in the district, please let me know and we will most definitely respond to popular demand.     Some new enhancements to further add dynamic, compelling web content have been delayed a bit due to "the need to cover the territory" in Phase I of this campaign, but they are on track for a May release, so stay tuned for further developments.   Now, more than ever -- we need your help to make this campaign a total success and give it the momentum it needs to push this bus over the funding hill and get it rolling non-stop (and non-stoppable) to a victory in the primary for all the things you and I care so deeply about, and want to change for the better & mdash please stop for a moment, right now, and contribute something today, either on-line, or if you want to use a check, click here for the address, but please add your actions to your concern and your voice -- act now  with a contribution of any size -- together, let's both of us make hope happen!     Thanks, and my very best regards, Signature of Fred Klaske Frederic (Fred) Klaske Klaske for Assembly  Discuss :: (0 Comments) Oops! She's Doing It Again by: babaloo Mon Apr 23, 2007 at 03:00:25 AM PDT Seems like it's about time for Ellen Tauscher to check herself into Interfering Politician Rehab. You might have thought that after last year's Steve Filson debacle in the CA-11 primary, she'd have gotten the message that Democratic voters are perfectly capable of choosing their own candidates. But nooooo, the woman is out of control. With Guy Houston being termed out of his AD-15 seat, there are presently five Democrats vying to replace him: retired airline pilot Steve Filson electrician Steve Thomas retired entrepreneur Fred Klaske small businessman Davies Ononiwu and high school principal Chris Van Schaack So you might look at this group and ask yourself, "Exactly what's missing from the mix; what more do we need?" And the answer would be — why, it's the Ellen Tauscher Seal of Approval™. Apparently, Filson has fallen out of favor; I'm guessing that Tauscher feels like he let her down in CA-11, rather than the more obvious alternative: that, just maybe, Democratic voters resent Tauscher's interference in their elections. So meet the new, sixth candidate in AD-15, Joan Buchanan. A 17-year member of the school board in San Ramon and generous contributor to Tauscher's past campaigns, Buchanan appears poised to catapult to front-runner status based on her powerful political connections to Friends of Ellen and her prodigious fundraising potential. Sound eerily familiar? What is Tauscher thinking? Isn't there anybody who can stop her before she hurts someone? K-Fed? Anyone? Discuss :: (7 Comments) Taking A Long Look At AD-15 by: babaloo Thu Mar 29, 2007 at 23:27:39 PM PDT In the future, there will be undoubtedly be a lot written about the AD-15 race on this blog. Just to set the table for some of those conversations, I thought it would be useful to compile all of the recent election results in one place for handy reference. These results go back to the 2002 primary, which is the first election that was held in the new reconfiguration of the assembly district that resulted from the 2000 census. More soon. 15th Assembly District — 2006 General Election Terry Coleman Guy S. Houston* Dem Rep Alameda 12,965 15,501 Contra Costa 46,035 54,237 Sacramento 12,131 17,439 San Joaquin 2,335 1,862 District Totals 73,466 89,039 Percent 45.2% 54.8% There's More... :: (0 Comments, 89 words in story) Primer On AD-15 by: babaloo Wed Mar 28, 2007 at 23:30:00 PM PDT It's quite a ways out from the 2008 election, but from my vantage point it looks like the race for Assembly District 15 may be one of the most interesting in the entire Bay Area. Current Assemblyman Guy Houston (R-Livermore) will be termed out and appears to be an early front-runner in the Republican effort to reclaim the CA-11 Congressional seat that Jerry McNerney won from Richard Pombo. You just know you'll be hearing more about that. But the scramble to replace Houston is on, and so far there are ten nine candidates vying for the last Republican-held partisan office in the Bay Area. On the Republican side, there are four candidates:  Abram Wilson, Mayor of San Ramon. Judy Biviano Lloyd, a 46-year-old Pleasanton software business owner and state co-chairwoman of the Californians for Schwarzenegger committee. Scott Kamena, an optometrist who is chairman of the Livermore Area Recreation and Park District. Robert Rao, a retired auto dealership CEO who resides in Livermore. And on the Democratic side, it's going to be like watching a train wreck — just try taking your eyes off of it. If you enjoyed the 2006 primary race in CA-11, you're going to love this one:  Retired airline pilot Steve Filson AND electrician Steve Thomas will both be reprising their 2006 roles in the AD-15 race, and I would imagine it's a safe bet that Ellen Tauscher will be stirring up a big batch of trouble. Last year's nominee, Terry Coleman, whose non-winning strategy was running as a non-Democrat, will be making a second attempt for the seat. Also joining in the fun will be Fred Klaske, who is moving into the district to facilitate his run. Klaske has already hired a high-priced campaign manager, Jim Ross, who ran Gavin Newsom's mayoral campaign.  Some of you may remember Klaske, who announced his candidacy for the 2008 Democratic nomination for Congress in CA-11 during the middle of the 2006 election season.  Of course, he supported Jerry McNerney and had full confidence in him — he just wanted to get his hat in the ring early on the off-chance things didn't work out. Then there's Davies Ononiwu, who staged an unsuccessful run for the Elk Grove City Council in 2006. Rounding out the field is Chris Van Schaack, the 44-year-old principal of Granada High School in Livermore. With a cast like this, the drama should be endless. [UPDATE]  Late word is that Coleman has decided not to run as a non-Democrat. Discuss :: (4 Comments)

Comments Syntax by: paulworkman69atyahoo in: Fred Klaske (Gibberish Edition) Fred Klaske by: paulworkman69atyahoo in: Fred Klaske (Gibberish Edition) Re: How committed are you? by: Mark_DeSaulnier in: The public option is essential to h... How committed are you? by: babaloo in: The public option is essential to h... Not illegal by: corsair in: Yes, Katie, Seriously. CA BLOGWIRE

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