The OC Register’s Total Buzz blog is reporting that the OC GOP leadership is going to meet with the Republican candidates for the First Supervisorial District over the weekend, and ask them to narrow the field down to one candidate. That is fine – but they better not settle on Santa Ana Councilman Carlos Bustamante.
Bustamante showed us all what he is about at this week’s Santa Ana Council Meeting. He was an abject embarrassment. Councilwoman Claudia Alvarez had to step in and run the meeting after Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido left abruptly, ostensibly to attend some kind of night court. Mayor Pro Tem Bustamante was flailing away, utterly ignorant as to how to run the meeting, when Alvarez took the lead and showed him how it should be done.
The Santa Ana City Council, at the inauguration of their new members, on November 29, selected Bustamante as the new Mayor Pro Tem, over Alvarez. Bet they are sorry about that vote now!
Bustamante was a Democrat just two years ago. He changed parties when he ran for the City Council. He has since become a Pulido puppet. He has voted for eminent domain deals that served to enrich millionaire car dealers. He went along with budget cuts that canceled our bookmobiles. I don’t know that he has ever done anything useful as a council member.
Bustamante also, famously, compared himself to Forrest Gump, at a fundraiser. Everyone in attendance was shocked. Gump however always came out on top. I guarantee you that Bustamante will be a big loser if he is the sole Republican candidate for the First District.
Already we know that Alvarez intends to run against him. She will take a lot of Latino and Santa Ana votes away from him. Former Santa Ana Mayor Pro Tem Brett Franklin is also in, and he too figures to take away Santa Ana votes from Bustamante.
I agree that some of the GOP candidates need to go away. Chief amongst them are Bustamante, and Garden Grove School Board member Trung Nguyen. He is the guy who lost two elections this year – he lost in June when he tried to get a seat on the OC GOP Central Committee, and he lost a water board election in November.
Franklin is his own man, but I would love to see him endorse Garden Grove City Councilwoman Janet Nguyen. She is the leading Republican in the race, with over $200,000 in campaign contributions. She is also the only conservative in the race.
My sources indicate that former Assemblyman Tom Umberg will announce his campaign next Wednesday. He lost in June to Lou Correa, in their primary contest for the 34th Senate District. He is also a carpetbagger – he lives in Villa Park. He also lied to voters and to his wife when he cheated on her during his last Assembly campaign. Lastly, I don’t think a trial lawyer will represent the interest of the blue collar constituents of the First Supervisorial District. No se puede Tom!
Plus Garden Grove Councilman Mark Rosen says he is staying in the race. He will bleed away voted from his fellow Democrat, Umberg.
OC Supervisor John Moorlach will need a strong conservative in the First Supervisorial District, to help him take on the OC Deputy Sheriff’s union. That won’t be Bustamante, who is being backed by union-squish Bill Campbell. Janet Nguyen is his only hope. I am fairly well assured that Rosen and Umberg will lay down for the unions. I don’t think we can say that about Janet Nguyen.
This weekend, OC GOP Chairman Scott Baugh needs to ask Trung Nguyen, Carlos Bustamante and Brett Franklin to step aside. Our only hope for taking the First District away from the Democrats is Janet Nguyen. Otherwise we face four years of liberal extremism from Umberg. No thanks!
I am probably dreaming, but political parties should stay out of these non-partisan office races and let the full range of the democratic process play out. Winner take all.
Don’t be surprised when Umberg doesn’t run. He is not getting the key support he needs from Democrats and the Unions to win this seat. I hope Clownia doesn’t run; she’ll only embarrass herself. I think she knows she can’t win but her goal is to get even with BuscaAmante and take away votes from him. Look at Rosen to be the Democrat choice.
I believe Councilmember Bustamonte’s tie clashes with his hat.
This is an election and nobody should play the role of “king maker”. Let the process work it all out. GOP bigwigs should go back to fixing their broken voter registration system and getting used to being in the minority in Wshington.
No don’t you mean 9 years of liberalism
Is Carlos BubbaGump mentally challenged? Maybe it’s the picture.
It is a horse race and all are invited.
Mary Cary is reported as renting a room in the first district so she can enter the race.
Her two big assets will make her the front runner.
Link to campaign site?
http://www.marycarey.com/
#4 I agree,
However, this is American election — meaning a sports.
The Americans are too stupid to elect any one in democratic fashion based on the merits.
That is why I oppose term limits.
More elections, more disaster!
The perfect dictatorship is the only answer, someone like King Arthur and his Camelot would suffice.
-Stan
I actually watched the City Council meeting where Claudia took over for the inept Carlos.
Carlos is a weak council member who cannot control a council meeting. I don’t wanting him representing me on the Board of Sups…….ever.
If Scott Baugh tinkers with voting process today and a candidate pull’s out to spend more time with family, I’ll re-register as a DTS and begin a drive to get as many as I can to do the same.
I hope Janet Nguyen tells Scott Baugh no deal.
She is the only Conservative Republican in the race and will beat Carlos Bustamante 2-1.
I’d like to see Carlos Bustamonte and Claudia Alvarez in a cage fight!
“I’d like to see Carlos Bustamonte and Claudia Alvarez in a cage fight!”
Me too!
We saw Carlos and Claudia duke it out at the last council meeting. Claudia won hands down.
I’d like to see Carlos wearing a sombrero and a sarape too.