Dario Frommer (AD-43, D-Los Feliz) has
dropped out of the CA Controller's race, citing family obligations. The two remaining Democratic candidates are
Joe Dunn (SD-34, D-Garden Grove) and
John Chiang (BOE-4, D-. I'd have to say that Dunn is probably the favorite given that he's coming from the Senate rather than the BOE. Dunn has an
unconventional campaign website where he stresses one issue, his role in the CA Senate investigations of Enron. That will probably be a preview of the issue he'll emphasize in his campaign ads. It's probably not a bad idea, given that for a relatively obscure race like Controller, you need one talking point for people to latch onto. If Dunn can go into November, with people aware of the phrase "the man who cracked Enron", he'll probably win.
Updated CA Statewide Rundown
Governor:
Democratic Candidates: Phil Angelides, Steve Westly
Republican Candidate: Arnold Schwarzenegger (I refuse to link to Ahnold)
I'll assume you know who these people are.
November (my guess): Angelides vs. Schwarzenegger
Lieutenant Governor:
Democratic Candidates: Jackie Speier, John Garamendi, Liz Figueroa
Republican Candidate: Tom McClintock
My guess is this one will be between Jackie Speier and John Garamendi. Speier's got more money, but Garamendi's run and won statewide office twice before. Both have important endorsements from labor unions. On the Republican side we've got Tom McClintock, four-time statewide loser. He's hoping his fifth run will be the lucky one.
November (my guess): Too Close to Call vs. McClintock
Attorney General:
Democratic Candidates: Jerry Brown, Rocky Delgadillo
Republican Candidate: Chuck Poochigian
Jerry Brown is definitely the man to beat, both in the Primary and the General. Rocky is a strong challenger though.
November (my guess): Brown vs. Poochigian
Controller:
Democratic Candidates: Joe Dunn, John Chiang
Republican Candidates: Abel Maldonado, Tony Strickland
On the Republican side, Tony Strickland is definitely the wingnut choice. He's the President of the California Club for Growth and he's got the CRA endorsement. Maldonado is the more mainstream candidate. Which one wins will depend on who votes in the Republican primary.
November (my guess): Dunn vs. Maldonado
Treasurer:
Democratic Candidates: Bill Lockyer
Republican Candidates: Keith Richman, Claude Parrish
Lockyer has $9 million CoH and good name rec.
November (my guess): Lockyer vs. Richman
Secretary of State:
Democratic Candidates: Debra Bowen, Deborah Ortiz
Republican Candidate: Bruce McPherson
Still no website from Deborah Ortiz. Is she running or not? Who knows and why is she running for SoS anyway?
November (my guess): Bowen vs. McPherson
Insurance Commissioner:
Democratic Candidate: Cruz Bustamante
Republican Candidate: Steve Poizner
Ugh. We couldn't do better than Bustamante? Well, let's hope he does a better job than in the Recall. The question was always whether Poizner would be scuttled by the wingnuts. Evidently not since he's the only Republican running. Poizner isn't your typical HJTA, CRA Republican. He gave $1,000 to Gore, $2,000 to Kerry and $10,000 to the DNC. The Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association sent out a flyer in 2004 telling people not to vote for him. I guess they've let him back in the club though since he's gotten the endorsement of the CRA for IC.
November (my guess): Bustamante vs. Poizner