Inland Empire Progressive

  The simple math of 4 Dems and 2 Republicans placed the Dems in a statistical disadvantage from the beginning. Of the Dems 1 was a carpetbagger (Rita Ramirez-Dean) but being a female Latina and a strong advocate of education was sure to syphon some votes. Renea Wickman ran for the assembly in 2010 and lost, but wanted a bigger prize in the congressional race. I thought she was the clear frontrunner, but our fundraising was minimal and the candidate was not as inspiring as she was in 2010. Justin Kim was a surprise. He ran a very progressive and grassroots campaign which got the youth vote, Asians, and educated voters very excited. He also has a fundraising base in Loma Linda where he is from. I will most definitely be supporting him if he decides to run in 2014. Pete Aguilar was not ready for prime time. He has a donor base, but it is uncertain if they will return to the fold in 2014. In addition, as I inspected his background more and more I found he was a DINO that had ties...

The 31st CD race is shaping up to be an act of Dem on Dem violence. Dr. Rita Ramirez-Dean, Pete Aguilar, and Renea Wickman are competing for this seat. Rita Ramirez-Dean spoke first. She talking about Education (her strong suit), Jobs, Veterans, and defending Social Security. Pete Aguilar went after the Do Nothing Congress and fixing a broken Washington D.C. He also went after Republicans Miller and Hutton. Mr. Aguilar stressed his work as mayor: standing up to the Redlands Tea Party and maintain a balanced budget. Renea Wickman spoke about creating jobs by eliminating oil and insurance company subsidies and reinvesting those saving to Green Jobs, High Speed Rail, and Internet access. On Foreign Policy she wanted to build a global middle class. She also would not raise the retirement age on Social Security. This fight was essentially between Renea Wickman and Pete Aguilar. There were 2 No Endorsements, both from the Redlands Area Democratic Club. Pete Aguilar received 46% of the ba...

Mayor of Redlands Pete Aguilar won the endorsement of the Fontana Democratic Club for the 31st Congressional District. He won in a run off against Rita Ramirez-Dean. Two challengers showed up to the event: Renea Wickman and Dr. Rita Ramirez-Dean to present their case. The other challenger Russ Warner did not show up to the event and is rumored to have droppend out. He was probably under pressure from D.C. people and a realization that he is not as stong in the East Valley as he is on the West. I wonder how much pressure the other candidates are coming under. Mr. Aguilar, either a Baca plant, Republican plant, or a genuine recruit by the DCCC is trying to walk and chew gum at the same time by fundraising and trying to build an organization. His history at the Arrowhead Credit Union has me wondering about his credentials and his connections. Is he just another Good Old Boy with intentions to carve up the Inland...