Newsom’s Recall, Part 5: The Replacement Field is Set!

By
Greg Diamond
– July 17, 2021Posted in: "The OC", Fresh Juice, gavin newsom, Newsom Recall 2021

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Not pictured here: Daniel Kapelovitz, maybe a few others.  (Yes, using this photo was Vern’s initiative, as I failed to provide a graphic and figured that I’d come back to it.)

LINKS to previous posts: 1, 2, 3, 4

An uncertified list of candidates was released on Saturday, with a certified list coming in Wednesday. July 21.  (I expect that this was to leave time for litigation over ballot designations, but it doesn’t really matter.)  Given that it provides some extra clarity about the race, let’s take the bait and pretend like it’s final!

[UPDATE: Larry Elder made the ballot, as did four others.  Two are from Orange County: Rhonda Furin and Armando Perez-Serrato.  Two are not: Kaul and Symmons.]

ELDER

FURIN

KAUL

PEREZ-SERRATO

SYMMONS

29. First … the Hot Takes!

The final(ish) roster of candidates (same link as above) to replace Gavin Newsom, if he loses the recall, is out. It’s only 41 candidates– and there are some surprises:

  • Former (I presume, by now) porn star Angelyne, whose apex of prominence came during the 2003 Gray Davis recall, faked us out: she’d indicated that she wasn’t running, but there she is!
  • Someone has apparently taking notice of the only candidate I find appealing at the moment, Daniel Kapelowitz, and is suddenly flanking him on three fronts!
    • After no other Green survived the Green Gleaning(tm) another Green has entered the race: a hairdresser from LA named Healther Collins who doesn’t have a website or any evident platform
    • As mentioned, Angelyne, in case his First Amendment work on pornography appeals to anyone
    • Daniel Watts is of San Diego is running as a “Free Speech Lawyer” and Democrat — but, unfortunately from the progressive perspective, the examples he cites of what he apposes are about colleges trying to create safe spaces for students and dealing with substantial breaches of civility, making me wonder if he is as about as progressive as Justices Thomas and Alito
  • Veronika Fimbres, however, is not running — and there’s some hint from her Facebook page that maybe it’s because she didn’t know about the new “five years of tax returns” requirement; she promises to run again in 2022, at which time I don’t expect to support her because I’ll want someone more viable.  Good news for Kapelovitz!
  • Jeff Hewitt — I knew I knew that name from somewhere, jumps way up on the likelihood of winning scale, because this Libertarian is also a member of Riverside County’s Board of Supervisors, which means that he both has a niche and knows what he’s doing!  Former Fullertonian Nickolas Wildstar — who apparently ran for Mayor of Bakersfield rather than Fresno (I often get those mixed up) and lost — is going to have to target Hewitt hard if he wants to improve his non-chances
  •  After being well-represented based on the campaign finance info, Orange County is nor represented by only three five candidates, Democrat Armando Perez-Serrato and  all four Republicans: Steven Cabot Chavez Lodge of … Irvine?, Anthony Tremino, also of Irvine,, Rhonda Furin, of Anaheim, and David Hillberg, an Aircraft Mechanic/Actor —  typical politician designation, amiright? — from Fountain Valley.
  • Denver Stoner is running — obviously, in the wrong state — and, despite the name, he’s a Republican!
  • Only six of the Seven viable Republicans — who were Cox, Elder, Faulconer, Gaines, Jenner, Kiley, and Ose — are running!  Who didn’t make it to the starting line?  You’ll have to read on if you want to know the … oh, to hell with it; it’s Larry Elder.  This is significant because it suggests the possibility that (1) some sane Republican soul tried to but the squeeze on some candidates to clear the field, and (2) no one but the radio pundit agreed to stand down.

30. A Redacted List of Candidates

I’m redacting some of the personal information from those on the list, because some of our casual readers — not the ones who comment here under their own names, of course! — might be a little off-kilter.  I’m also going to number them — which the Secretary of State did not — simply for ease of reference.  They are in standard alphabetical order by last name, not yet in the random alphabet order in which they’ll appear on the ballot.

There are 21 Republicans, 9 “No Party Preference”, 8 Democrats, 2 Greens, and 1 Libertarian.

If we exclude those without a freaking website to which they can refer people — and we shall! — those numbers fall to 16, 7, 8, 1, and 1 — a total of 34 who can clear that low hurdle.  (And I haven’t even gotten to how has done any fundraising!)

For each candidate, I’m listing only (1) their name and party (or non-party); (2) their city and zip code of residence; (3) their website, if they have one, but not their email address — because if that’s all they have, then they are definitely not read for prime time; and (4) their apparently accepted (pending litigation, I suppose) ballot designation.  [Candidates added on the last day are preceded by … a tilde~]

If you don’t want to click the link above, here’s the announcement:

TO ALL CANDIDATES FOR THE OFFICE HEREINAFTER INDICATED

This notice complies with provisions of the Elections Code requiring the Secretary of State to notify each candidate for voter-nominated office of the name, address, and, if applicable, ballot designation and party preference of each person having filed for the same office. A Certified List of Candidates will be available on July 21, 2021.

Shirley N. Weber, Ph.D. July 17, 2021
Secretary of State

CANDIDATES FOR SEPTEMBER 14, 2021, CALIFORNIA GUBERNATORIAL RECALL ELECTION

  1. Angelyne, No Party Preference
    Beverly Hills, CA 90212 [LA – burbs]
    WEBSITE: https://www.angelyneforgovernor.com
    Entertainer
  2. !Holly L. Baade, Democratic
    Fairfax, CA 94930 [Marin]
    WEBSITE: https://www.mettacine.org
    Mother/Business Owner
  3. David Alexander Bramante, Republican
    Calabasas, CA 91302 [LA outskirts]
    WEBSITE: https://www.bramanteforgovernor.com
    Realtor/Multifamily Developer
  4. Heather Collins, Green
    Los Angeles, CA 90066 [burbs]
    Business Owner/Hairstylist
  5. John Cox, Republican
    Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067 [San Diego – outskirts]
    WEBSITE: https://www.johncox.com
    Businessman/Accountant/Father
  6. !John R. Drake, Democratic
    Ventura, CA 93004  [Ventura]
    WEBSITE: https://www.johndrake.com
    College Student
  7. ~Larry A. Elder Republican
    La Mesa, CA 91942 [San Diego – city area]
    WEBSITE: https://www.electelder.com
    Broadcaster/Author
  8. Kevin L. Faulconer, Republican
    San Diego, CA 92166 [City]
    WEBSITE: https://www.kevinfaulconer.com
    Businessman/Educator
  9. ~Rhonda Furin, Republican
    Anaheim, CA 92808
    WEBSITE: https://www.rhondafurin.com
    Nonprofit President
  10. Ted Gaines, Republican
    El Dorado Hills, CA 95762 [El Dorado]
    WEBSITE: https://www.tedgaines.com
    Board of Equalization Member
  11. Sam L. Gallucci, Republican
    Oxnard, CA 93032 [Ventura]
    WEBSITE: https://www.samgallucci.com
    Pastor/CEO/Consultant
  12. James G. Hanink, No Party Preference
    Inglewood, CA 90302 [LA – burbs]
    WEBSITE: https://www.drjamesghaninkforgovernor.com
    Retired Educator
  13. Jeff Hewitt, Libertarian
    Calimesa, CA 92320 [Riverside]
    WEBSITE: https://www.hewitt4ca.com
    Riverside County Supervisor
  14. David Hillberg, Republican
    Fountain Valley, CA 92728 [Orange]
    Aircraft Mechanic/Actor
  15. Caitlyn Jenner, Republican
    Roseville, CA 95661 [Placer]
    WEBSITE: https://www.caitlynjenner.com
    Businessperson/Entrepreneur
  16. Dan Kapelovitz, Green
    West Hollywood, CA 90046 [LA burbs]
    WEBSITE: https://www.kapelovitz.com
    Criminal Defense Attorney
  17. ~Kevin K. Kaul, No Party Preference
    Long Beach, CA 90803 [LA outskirts]
    WEBSITE: https://www.kevinkaulgovernor.com
    Real Estate Developer
  18. Kevin Kiley, Republican
    Roseville, CA 95678 [Placer]
    WEBSITE: https://www.kileyforcalifornia.com
    California Legislator
  19. Chauncey “Slim” Killens, Republican
    Hemet, CA 92545 [Riverside]
    Retired Correctional Officer
  20. Patrick Kilpatrick, Democratic
    Los Angeles, CA 90004 [city]
    WEBSITE: https://www.patrickkilpatrick.com
    Actor/Screenwriter/Producer
  21. Jenny Rae Le Roux, Republican
    Redding, CA 96003 [Shasta]
    WEBSITE: https://www.jennyraeca.com
    Business Owner/Mother
  22. Steve Chavez Lodge, Republican
    Irvine, CA 92618 [Orange]
    WEBSITE: https://www.lodgeforgovernor.com
    Retired Homicide Detective
  23. Michael Loebs, No Party Preference
    Sacramento, CA 95814 [Sacramento]
    WEBSITE: https://www.loebsforca.com
    University Lecturer
  24. David Lozano, Republican
    San Gabriel, CA 91778   [LA burbs]
    Executive Officer/Attorney
  25. Denis Lucey, No Party Preference
    Santa Rosa, CA 95406  [Sonoma]
    Teacher
  26. Jeremiah “Jeremy” Marciniak, No Party Preference
    Lincoln, CA 95648 [Placer]
    No Ballot Designation
  27. Diego Martinez, Republican
    San Andreas, CA 95249 [Calavares]
    WEBSITE: https://www.diegomartinezforgovernor.com
    Businessman
  28. Jacqueline McGowan, Democratic
    Napa, CA 94559 [Napa]
    WEBSITE: https://www.jackie4gov.org
    Cannabis Policy Advisor
  29. Daniel Mercuri, Republican
    Sherman Oaks, CA 91403 [Los Angeles burbs]
    WEBSITE: https://www.danielforcalgovernor.com
    Farmer/Business Owner
  30. David Moore, No Party Preference
    Emeryville, CA 94608 [Alameda]
    Public School Teacher
  31. Robert C. Newman II, Republican
    Redlands, CA 92375 [San Bernardino]
    WEBSITE: https://www.newman4governor.com
    Farmer/Psychologist
  32. Doug Ose, Republican
    Sacramento, CA 95841  [Sacramento]
    WEBSITE: https://www.oseforcalifornia.com
    Farmer/Small Businessman
  33. Kevin Paffrath, Democratic
    Ventura, CA 93004 [Ventura]
    WEBSITE: https://www.meetkevin.com
    Financial Educator/Analyst
  34. Adam Papagan, No Party Preference
    Los Angeles, CA 90028 [city]
    WEBSITE: https://www.adamforgov.com
    Entertainer
  35. ~Armando “Mando” Perez-Serrato, Democratic
    Orange, CA 92869 [Orange County]                     WEBSITE:
    https://www.mandocaliforniagovernor.godaddysites.com
    No Ballot Designation
  36. Dennis Richter, No Party Preference
    Los Angeles, CA 90007 [Los Angeles city]
    Retail Store Worker
  37. Brandon M. Ross, Democratic
    La Mesa, CA 91942 [San Diego city]
    WEBSITE: https://www.ross4gov.com
    Physician/Attorney
  38. Major Singh, No Party Preference
    Fremont, CA 94537  [Alameda]
    WEBSITE: https://www.majorsinghforgovernor.com
    Software Engineer
  39. Sarah Stephens, Republican
    Riverside, CA 92501 [Riverside]
    WEBSITE: https://www.makecaliforniagoldagain.com
    Pastor
  40. Denver Stoner, Republican
    Murphys, CA 95247 [Calavares]
    Deputy Sheriff
  41. ~Joe M. Symmon,  Republican
    Orange, CA 92856
    WEBSITE: https://www.joesymmon4gov.com
    Community Volunteer
  42. Anthony Trimino, Republican
    Irvine, CA 92618  [Orange]
    WEBSITE: https://www.anthonytrimino.com
    Entrepreneur/CEO
  43. Joel Ventresca, Democratic
    San Francisco, CA 94122
    WEBSITE: https://www.joelventresca.com
    Retired Airport Analyst
  44. Daniel Watts, Democratic
    Vista, CA 92084  [San Diego outskirts]
    WEBSITE: https://www.wattsforgovernor.com
    Free Speech Lawyer
  45. Nickolas Wildstar, Republican
    Fresno, CA 93794 [Fresno]
    WEBSITE: https://www.wildstar2022.com
    Musician/Entrepreneur/Father
  46. Leo S. Zacky, Republican
    Los Angeles, CA 90049 [burbs]
    WEBSITE: https://www.leozacky.com
    Businessman/Farmer

 

31. Demographenia!

While we’ve broken down the candidates by party above, I thought it might be interesting to note their apparent genders, counties of origin, and ballot designations as well.  I’m using the same party-based color scheme as above, using gray for what is unknown.

A. Gender (self-identified or discernible):

Male: 34 — 18 R, 6 D. 8 NPP. 1 G. 1 L
Female: 7 — 3 R, 2 D, 1 NPP, 1 G, 0 L

So, it’s about what you’d expect!

B. County of Residence (with subdivisions for LA & SD]

  • Airport Analyst (Retired) – DEM
  • Alameda – NPP, NPP
  • Calavares – GOP, GOP
  • El Dorado – GOP
  • Fresno – GOP
  • LA city – DEM, NPP. NPP
  • LA Burbs – NPP, GRN, GRN, GOP, GOP
  • LA outskirts – GOP, NPP
  • Marin – DEM
  • Napa – DEM
  • Orange – GOP, GOP, GOP, GOP, GOP, DEM
  • Placer – GOP, GOP, NPP
  • Riverside – LBT, GOP, GOP
  • San Bernardino – GOP
  • Sacramento – NPP, GOP
  • SD City = GOP, GOP, DEM
  • SD burbs – GOP
  • SD Outskirts – GOP, DEM
  • San Francisco – DEM
  • Shasta – GOP
  • Sonoma – NPP
  • Ventura – GRN, GOP, DEM

C. Ballot Designations (still to come!)

  • Actor/Screenwriter/Producer: 1
  • Aircraft Mechanic/Actor: 1
  • Attorney (or Lawyer)
    • Criminal Defense: 1
    • /Executive Officer: 1
    • Free Speech: 1
  • Board of Equalization Member: 1
  • Broadcaster/Author: 1
  • Business Owner (only): 3
    • /Accountant: 1
    • /Hairstylist: 1
    • /Educator: 1
    • /Entrepreneur: 1
    • /Farmer: 1
  • Cannabis Policy Advisor: 1
  • College Student: 1
  • Community Volunteer: 1
  • Correctional Officer (Retired): 1
  • Deputy Sheriff: 1
  • Detective, Homicide (Retired): 1
  • Educator (Retired): 1
  • Entertainer: 2
  • Entrepreneur/CEO: 1
  • Farmer
    • /Business Owner: 1
    • /Psychologist: 1
    • /Small Businessman: 1
  • Financial Educator/Analyst: 1
  • Legislator, (California): 1
  • Musician/Entrepreneur: 1
  • No Ballot Designation: 2
  • Nonprofit President: 1
  • Pastor: 1
    • /CEO/Consultant: 1
  • Physician/Attorney: 1
  • Real Estate Developer: 1
  • Realtor/Multifamily Developer: 1
  • Retail Store Worker: 1
  • Software Engineer: 1
  • Supervisor, Riverside County: 1
  • Teacher: 1
    • Public School: 1
  • University Lecturer: 1
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About Greg Diamond

Somewhat verbose attorney, semi-disabled and semi-retired, residing in northwest Brea. Occasionally ran for office against jerks who otherwise would have gonr unopposed. Got 45% of the vote against Bob Huff for State Senate in 2012; Josh Newman then won the seat in 2016. In 2014 became the first attorney to challenge OCDA Tony Rackauckas since 2002; Todd Spitzer then won that seat in 2018. Every time he's run against some rotten incumbent, the *next* person to challenge them wins! He's OK with that. Corrupt party hacks hate him. He's OK with that too. He does advise some local campaigns informally and (so far) without compensation. (If that last bit changes, he will declare the interest.) His daughter is a professional campaign treasurer. He doesn't usually know whom she and her firm represent. Whether they do so never influences his endorsements or coverage. (He does have his own strong opinions.) But when he does check campaign finance forms, he is often happily surprised to learn that good candidates he respects often DO hire her firm. (Maybe bad ones are scared off by his relationship with her, but they needn't be.)