Opposition for Rohrabacher? Tricky wording for Villaraigosa
It’s not only Democrats who’ve put a target on the back of Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, R-Costa Mesa (Orange County).
On Wednesday, former Assembly GOP leader Scott Baugh of Huntington Beach pulled papers to run against Rohrabacher, although he had not officially filed as of Thursday afternoon.
Though Baugh hasn’t served in elective office since he was termed out of the Assembly in 2000, he’s made no secret of his interest in Rohrabacher’s seat. But even though he’s raised more than $500,000 for a congressional campaign, he’s said in the past that he was waiting for the 70year-old Rohrabacher to retire.
But with a bunch of well-financed Democrats — and even a couple of Republicans — poised to challenge Rohrabacher, Baugh may have decided it’s now or never.
Not only is Rohrabacher’s seat a top Democratic target in November, but the congressman isn’t making his re-election road easier with his proRussia stances and his reputation as Russian President Vladimir Putin’s “favorite congressman.”
Rohrabacher’s name has came up in connection with Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into possible Russian influence on the 2016 presidential election and links with others with ties to Russia.
Rohrabacher already has filed for re-election. The filing deadline for the June 5 primary is Friday. — John Wildermuth
Call me by my ballot designation: State election law forbids former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa from being referred to as “former Los Angeles mayor” on the ballot in the primary election for governor — only sitting officeholders can use their title. Villaraigosa is proposing calling himself “public policy adviser” — that has his opponents licking their chops.
If he’s listed as “public policy adviser,” they can ask, “for whom?” And that leads to Villaraigosa’s consulting work from 2013-16 for Herbalife, which makes and markets nutritional supplements and personal care products. In 2016, the Federal Trade Commission said the company agreed to pay $200 million to consumers to settle charges that it had “deceived consumers into believing they could earn substantial money selling diet, nutritional supplement and personal care products.”
“Let’s be real, the only thing Antonio Villaraigosa can currently advise on is how to best target innocent Californians,” said Fabien Levy, candidate and state Treasurer John Chiang’s deputy campaign manager. “Voters want to elect someone they can trust and who will fight for them, not someone who will sell out for the quickest buck.”
Replied Villaraigosa spokesman Luis Vizcaino, “Sad that John Chiang’s campaign would resort to attacks, but our focus remains on fixing this economy so it works for more Californians.”
Former state Superintendent of Public Instruction Delaine Eastin can’t use her old job title, either, but the one she proposed Thursday is unlikely to be as controversial: “Educator/ Youth Advocate.”
— Joe Garofoli
It’s always partisan: California’s top-two primary system, where the two candidates with the most votes, regardless of party, advance to the November election, was supposed to eliminate partisan elections.
Key words: “supposed to.”
If anyone thinks GOP businessman John Cox isn’t running for the top-two equivalent of the Republican nomination for governor, they should take a listen to his new radio ad.
In the spot, Cox talks about how Kate Steinle was killed in San Francisco “by an illegal alien convict” and how that incident “is chilling testimony of how (Democratic candidate for governor and former San Francisco Mayor) Gavin Newsom’s sanctuary city values differ from the rest of us.”
“Incredibly, San Francisco refused to turn over to immigration authorities a criminal alien with seven prior felony convictions,” he continues. “The shooter said it was an ‘accident,’ so, of course, a San Francisco jury voted to acquit. Like I said, different values.”
Cox vowed that on his first day as governor, “I will act to repeal Jerry Brown and Gavin Newsom’s Sanctuary State and restore the rule of law.”
Cox closes with a reminder, if any was needed, of just where he’s coming from: “If you’re ready to take California back, join me. I’m John Cox, Republican candidate for governor.”
And just where was this GOP-centric spot running Thursday morning? Conservative icon Rush Limbaugh’s radio program, hardly a hangout for Democrats and middle-of-the-road independent voters.
It’s no secret Cox is trolling for voters desperate to support someone with an “R” after their name on the ballot. And while there aren’t enough GOP voters in the state to elect a governor, there may be enough to push a Republican into second place in June, especially if Democratic votes are split among four serious candidates.
As far as Cox and his team are concerned, there will be plenty of time to worry about winning in November after June 5.
Conservative Republicans “are who is going to turn out for a June primary,” said Matt Shupe, a spokesman for Cox. “We know we aren’t stealing any votes from Gavin.” — John Wildermuth
John Wildermuth and Joe Garofoli are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: jwildermuth@ sfchronicle.com, jgarofoli@ sfchronicle.com Twitter: @jfwildermuth @joegarofoli