Emmerson says door is still open

Marshall Smith and I just concluded a phone interview with St. Sen. Bill Emmerson (R 37). The entire article will be in the print edition.

Republican State Sen. Bill Emmerson (CA 37) and four colleagues have been dubbed the “Gang 5” or the “GOP 5”, but he prefers the “Reform 5”. For almost two weeks, they have been deliberating and negotiating with Gov. Jerry Brown to achieve a meaningful breakthrough on the state’s financial crisis and put tax extensions on a June ballot.

Although the conferences have stopped without that achievement, Emmerson says, “The door is still open with the Governor.”

Emmerson said the five senators hope to accomplish several objectives as a result of these political risky negotiations: “Spending caps, rainy day funds, pension reform and regulatory changes to improve the state’s job creation capability.

Although no meetings are scheduled, Emmerson remains open to further talks. “I’m optimistic, that’s my nature,” he said. He said Brown indicated a willingness to address these key issues during his campaign and on his website. “It’s an opportunity to make California work,” he said.

Emmerson noted that risks and impediments are building on both sides of the legislative aisle. The formation of the “Taxpayers Caucus” two weeks ago created some division within his party, Divisions that Emmerson dubbed “destructive”. But he shared his position with his party’s legislative members. “I looked at that [formation of the Taxpayers’ Caucus] as campaigning,” he said. “Now it’s time to govern.” Emmerson believes that his group’s position has now gained respect within the larger Republican caucus.

Emmerson is unsure Brown has the full support of his party’s legislators. For example, Sen. Leeland Yee (San Francisco) has publicly opposed the governor’s plan without raising income taxes on millionaires and taxes on oil severance.

There will be more in the full article

Emmerson sworn in as state senator

Republican Bill Emmerson, former Assemblyman from Redlands (AD 63) was today sworn in as state Senator from Hemet (SD 37).

In taking the oath at a special ceremony on the floor of the California Senate in Sacramento, Emmerson said, "I am deeply humbled and honored to have bee selected to represent the people of Riverside County. In the State Senate, I will continue to fight to create more California jobs, strengthen our economy, and enact government reforms to get our state back on track.

"I look forward to working with my Senate colleagues to implement policies that will rebuild our economy and get Californians working again."

Emmerson won on June 8 in a three way race taking 58.38 percent of the vote against Democrat Justin Blake with 30.87 percent, and American Independent Matt Monica with 10.75 percent.

Emmerson had accepted a June 4 Idyllwild debate invitation, but cancelled just before the debate with Blake and Monica was to have begun. It proceeded without him.

Zellerbach upsets; Stone loses

In the June 8 primary election, Judge Paul Zellerbach upset sitting District Attorney Rod Pacheco, Riverside County Third District Supervisor Jeff Stone was unsuccessful in his bid for State Senate, Sheriff Stan Sniff cruised to a full elected term, and Bill Emmerson switched Chambers and strolled to election in Senate District 37.

Riverside County Fifth District Supervisor Marion Ashley and Second District Supervisor John Tavaglione were reelected by large margins, and in a closer race, appointed Fourth District Supervisor John J. Benoit was elected to a full term over Gary Jeandron by a margin of 55.8 to 44.1.

Otherwise the night played out in California much as predicted, with Propositions 13 (retrofitting), 14 (open primary) passing and 15 (trial balloon for public funding of campaigns), 16 (PGE utility initiative) and 17 (Mercury Insurance initiative) going down to defeat.

In the fall Carly Fiorina will take on Senator Barbara Boxer and Meg Whitman will face former Governor Jerry Brown.

Emmerson cancels Idyllwild debate appearance

Citing a family emergency, Assemblyman Bill Emmerson (R AD 63 Redlands) cancelled his Idyllwild debate appearance at 2:42 p.m. on the day of the debate, Friday June 4.
Sponsoring organizations the Pine Cove Property Owners Association and the Idyllwild Town Crier notified Blake and Monica of Emmerson's last minute cancellation.

The debate, one of the only ones Emmerson had accepted during the campaign, was scheduled for 6 p.m. and proceeded with the other two candidates, Democrat Justin Blake and American Independent Matt Monica.


Shortly after receiving notification from Emmerson's staff, the Town Crier began fielding calls from off Hill media seeking to verify Emmerson's cancellation.

In anticipation of a large turnout including off Hill media, the Town Crier had moved the debate into the Fire Station Bay.

Attendees at the debate expressed upset and disbelief at Emmerson's cancellation on such short notice.

SD 37 results

Assemblyman Bill Emmerson lead six other candidates for the opportunity to replace for St. Sen John Benoit in Sacramento. Unfortunately, his 41.6 percent was not sufficient to nullify the requirement for a general election between candidates representing the major parties.

Emmerson will confront Democrat Justin Blake and American Independent candidate Matt Monica on June 8. In that election, the winner only needs a plurality of the total vote to earn victory.

On Wednesday,if one candidate collected more than 50 percent of the total vote, the seat would have been filled. While Emmerson had nearly twice the number of votes as Russ Bogh, it was less than the 50 percent threshold; consequently the campaign continues for another two months.

Emmerson with the help of nearly $730,000 for independent expenditures reaped nearly 42 percent of the vote.. More than 90 percent bankrolled by California Dental Association Political Action Committees Combined with Bogh's 22 percent, the two Republicans collected nearly 64 percent (or two-thirds) of the total vote.

Turnout of 90,000 voters was just more than 20 percent of the district's registered voters. In the 2008 presidential election, more than 70 percent of voters cast a ballot. But compared to recent special elections, the SD 37 voters were active. In two 2009 special elections, turnout was less than 8 percent.

Although Emmerson outpolled all candidates. The combined voted of the next three highest candidates would barely equal Emmerson’s total.

Nevertheless, the candidate that was originally labeled a carpetbagger, one who rented a room from a friend, can now settle comfortably into the 37^th District. While Republicans hold a slim 4 percent lead in registration, people willing to cast a ballot yesterday were more than three times likely to connect the arrow of a Republican candidate.

Even Bogh who lagged far behind Emmerson in fund raising was significantly more successful than Blake who starts the general election as a significant underdog.

Last Updated: April 13, 2010 11:42 PM

Registration & Turnout

468,233 Voters

	Vote Count	Percent
Vote by Mail Reporting Turnout	68,953	14.73%
Precincts Reporting Turnout	21,141	4.52%
Total	90,094	19.24%

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State Senator 37th District

527/527 100.00%

	Vote Count	Percent
REP - BILL EMMERSON	36,507	41.61%
REP - RUSS BOGH	19,247	21.94%
DEM - JUSTIN BLAKE	12,253	13.97%
DEM - ANNA NEVENIC	7,524	8.58%
DEM - ARTHUR BRAVO GUERRERO	6,283	7.16%
AIP - MATT MONICA	3,884	4.43%
REP - DAVID W. PETERS	2,036	2.32%