75th Anniversary Celebration & Endorsing Convention March 5-7, 2010 Knott’s Berry Farm Resort Hotel Buena Park, California
CRA Board of Directors Ken Mettler President
Mike Spence Immediate Past President
Tom Bordonaro Vice President
Alexia Deligianni Vice President
Celeste H. Greig Vice President
Table of Contents
Karl Heft Vice President
Convention Host Committee Welcome. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Ben Lopez Vice President
CRA President’s Welcome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Meredith Turney Vice President
NFRA President’ Welcome. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Scott Voigts Vice President
OC CRA Welcome. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Clifford Wagner Vice President
Pete Weber Vice President
Mike Zimmerman Vice President
Craig Alexander Recording Secretary
Janine Heft Corresponding Secretary
Buena Park RA Welcome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 The History of CRA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Speaker Biographies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Convention Agenda. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 CRA Past Presidents. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Peggy Mew Membership Secretary
William Tolson Voter Registration Secretary
John Fugatt Treasurer
Sandra Gray Assistant Treasurer
California Republican Assembly Post Office Box 877 Monrovia, CA 91017
www.CaliforniaRepublicanAssembly.com
Aaron Park Sergeant-at-Arms
Sergio Picchio National Committeeman
Karen England
Program Design by: Jeff Evans / JC-Evans, Inc. Printed by: Bieber Communications
National Committeewoman California Republican Assembly • 1
CRA’s 75th Anniversary Celebration and Endorsing Convention
HOST COMMITTEE Welcomes you to the Knott’s Berry Farm Resort Baron Night Convention Chairman
Karl Heft Convention Co-Chairman Scott Voigts...................Program & Advertising
John Fugatt............................................Finance
Zonya Townsend.............................Registration
John Bankson.......................... Pre-Registration
Alexia Deligianni............. Speakers & Vendors
Janine Heft.......................................... Banquets
Virginia Hart................................... Decorations
Richard Rios...................Volunteers & Security
Carol Gibbs.............................. Convention Bags
Jeff Evans.........................Audiovisuals & Media
Steve Sarkis........................................... At-Large
Commitment
CRA’s commitment to conservative values and supporting conservative candidates has made it the backbone and conscience of the Republican Party.
Principles
We are proud to have been with you in helping to elect conservatives who fight for our principles of limited government and upholding traditional family values.
Bieber Communications The Trusted Choice for Voter Contact Printing and Mailing Services
714.210.3630 www.biebercommunications.com
President Ken Mettler Vice Presidents Tom Bordonaro Alexia Deligianni Celeste H. Greig Karl Heft Ben Lopez Meredith Turney Scott Voigts Clifford Wagner Pete Weber Mike Zimmerman Recording Secretary Craig Alexander Corresponding Secretary Janine Heft Membership Secretary Peggy Mew Voter Registration Secretary William Tolson Treasurer John Fugatt Assistant Treasurer Sandra Gray Sergeant-at-Arms Aaron Park National Committeeman Sergio Picchio National Committeewoman Karen England Immediate Past President Mike Spence
Dear Fellow CRA Members: It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to our annual California Republican Assembly Convention here at Knott’s Berry Farm, as we celebr ate 75 years of conservative activism. The CRA has long been successful in Republican elections all over the state and has been a definite driving force in the effort to elect true conservatives. This year, citizens have taken up their pitch forks and have demanded more from their respective elected officials. We have seen an historic uprisin g and passion in the citizens like never before and the CRA has been extrem ely instrumental in the success of this new movement. Through grassroots efforts and ardent activism, the CRA has built a sterling reputation for itself and its members. By making it a primary focus to assist true conservatives in all aspects of government, the CRA has been a key component in the revital ization of the Republican Party. As we approach the coming elections we must not forget our conservative principles for it is those principles that dictate our enthusiastic involvement and continue to drive us. Career politicians are becoming increasingly unpopular and it is time for everyday folks to take a stand. It has been excitin g to see the Tea Party movement become so active and the impact they have had has been positively overwhelming - they are a true force to be reckoned with and their demand for limited government is a CRA staple. As we celebrate 75 years of the CRA, let us not forget the words of forme r President Ronald Reagan and continue to be that unwavering conscience of the Republican Party. Sincerely,
Ken Mettler President Californian Republican Assembly
California Republican Assembly H Post Office Box 276101 H Sacramento, CA 95827 www.CaliforniaRepublicanAssembly.com
California Republican Assembly • 3
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Dear CRA Delegates and Guests, On behalf of all 23 CRA Units in this region, it is our great pleasu re to welcome you to Orange County! We consider it a privilege to host you here in one of the most Repub lican counties in the Nation. Thank you for your attendance and your continued comm itment to God, Country, and Conservative Republican principles. It is you that makes CRA the premier conservative organization in
California!
In the next three days you will have the opportunity to hear from all Republican candidates running for U.S. Senate, Governor, and all other State constitutional offices, and then cast your ballot to endorse the candidate of your choice. We will also celebrate together the 75th Anniversary of the foundi ng of the California Republican Assembly, and what better place to celebrate this import ant milestone than here at Knott’s Berry Farm, founded by Walter Knott, a longtim e Republican activist who always fought valiantly for the conservative cause. You’ll also have a chance to take a tour of the exact replica of Independence Hall located right across the street, enjoy the rides at Knott’s theme park, or visit the numerous landmarks and sightseeing opportunities that our Count y has to offer. The Host Committee has spent the last six months planning and organi zing this year’s Convention. It is our hope that it will be a memorable one for all who attend. God Bless, Karl Heft CRA Vice President
Scott Voigts CRA Vice President
California Republican Assembly • 5
www.landslidecommunications.com 949.249.0213 – info@landslidecommunications.com
THE CONSERVATIVE CHOICE FOR PRO-TAXPAYER, PRO-FAMILY VOTER GUIDES IN CALIFORNIA Save Proposition 13 Newsletter and Voter Guide
Lew Uhler’s National Tax Limitation Committee Early Voter Guide
Joel Fox’s Small Business Action Committee Voter Guide
California Public Safety Newsletter and Voter Guide
Republican Woman’s Voice
Our Statewide Republican Leadership Series... Orange County Republican Leadership Voter Guide San Diego County Republican Leadership Voter Guide Inland Empire Republican Leadership Voter Guide
Ventura County Republican Leadership Voter Guide Los Angeles County Republican Leadership Voter Guide
TA R G E T I N G Y O U R M E S S A G E T O T H E W I N N I N G D E M O G R A P H I C .
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To my conservative conventioneers, The Buena Park “Center of the Southland” Republican Assembly is proud to be host of the 2010 C.R.A. 75th Anniversary Endo rsement Convention. Welcome to Buena Park. As President of the Buena Park Republican Assembly, it is my fondest wish that your visit to the 75th Anniversary Conventio n at the Knott’s Berry Farm Resort Hotel will be exciting, pleas ant, and rewarding. You will be informed, pleased, and surprised during the next three days. National level speakers and programs are planned. Thank you for joining with us in the promotion of conservati ve principles. Your friend, Baron Night President Buena Park Republican Assembly
California Republican Assembly • 7
George Runner is the BEST choice because:
Attention Concerned Citizens
l He is an outspoken advocate for California taxpayers.
l He has a 13-year track record of leading efforts to create Conservative policy.
l He is a passionate and articulate leader on fair tax policy and the economic future of California.
l He is committed to taking his message of “economic prosperity through rational tax policy” and voting integrity to every county in the district to communicate directly with voters.
l He authored California’s Amber Alert, Jessica’s Law and is authoring a Voter ID initiative scheduled for the November 2010 ballot.
Senator Runner is authoring an initiative for the November 2010 ballot that will strengthen the integrity of California’s voting process by doing the following: • Require voter ID at the polls; • Count every mail-in Armed Forces vote up to 21 days after Election Day; • Change the absentee ballot to protect voter’s identification.
www.GeorgeRunner.com
Congratulations on 75 years. We the Voigts family thank you for fighting for family values. This is why my friends we fight on. May CRA continue on for another 75 years.
“My friends: We did it. We weren’t just marking time. We made a difference.” ~ President Ronald Reagan
Thank you CRA for raising the banner high.
Let us all continue to stand up and be counted fighting for the values that have made our Nation the greatest Nation in the World. And may we “continue to make a difference.”
The History of the California Republican Assembly By Louise Leigh, Fred Davis & Peggy Mew
The history of the California Republican Assembly was compiled by CRA’s historian, Louise Leigh, former CRA News editor, Fred Davis, and CRA Membership Secretary Peggy Mew. First published as part of a souvenir book for the 50th CRA State Convention in 1983, the history has been updated several times with contributions from various CRA members, and was most recently published as a souvenir program for CRA’s 65th Anniversary Convention in April of 2000. Sources include: • Official Archives of the California Republican Assembly at the University of California, Los Angeles. • “The California Republican Assembly,” by Alton DuRant, Jr. - Master’s thesis, Stanford University, 1953. • A series of articles by CRA Historian Louise Leigh for CRA News, 1982-83. • File copies of CRA News dating back to the 1930s. • The author’s research during 11 years as editor of the CRA News.
Introduction
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he stock market came crashing down – the prelude to long bread lines, and apples sold on the street corners of New York City. The hordes of unemployed were desperate. It was 1929 in America. By the presidential election year of 1932, American voters were ready for a change. The landslide election of Franklin Delano Roosevelt brought to fruition all the dire predictions of the hard-core Republican Party. The bureaucracy grew – the NPA, CCC, WPA, Social Security, and more – as America became socialized as never before. In Los Angeles, two men were destined to meet and change the political history of the state of California. Ed Shattuck, a Republican activist, was a candidate for Congress in the 15th Congressional District in L.A. in 1932. During his campaign, his path crossed that of Robert Craig, who was managing the campaign of one of his opponents, A. Ronald Button. When an angry Shattuck phoned to protest the uprooted signs that were dumped on his Ed Shattuck front lawn, he spoke with Craig. It was during this conversation that
they found they had similar views on how to revitalize and reorganize the Republican Party in California. They met after the November election at the Paris Inn Restaurant in Los Angeles. With notes recorded on a legal yellow lined pad, the stirrings of what would become the California Republican Assembly were conceived, formulated and discussed. Robert Craig The experienced political background of these two men forged the foundation upon which the CRA was created. The CRA’s first statewide organizational meeting was held in San Jose on February 11, 1934. Paul Mason of San Francisco was elected temporary chairman. On March 12, 1934 at a meeting in Fresno, Sherrill Halbert became CRA’s first President. The following year, on July 12, 1935, the CRA was incorporated and set on a path to make political history.
Beginnings
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n December 1932, LeRoy Owens and Durand House, both active Republican leaders, met with Craig and Shattuck in the basement of the Spring Arcade in Los Angeles and were sold on the idea of CRA. California Republican Assembly • 9
These activists decided to build a statewide precinct organization. With the financial aid of a few bankers and financiers from Pasadena, Robert Craig became the first hired Executive Secretary of CRA and worked in that capacity until 1938. In 1934, his benefactors presented him with a Ford Convertible to continue his good works. He traveled up and down the state of California, uniting the divided factions of the Republican Party. The first ten years, 1933 to 1943, were formative years. Only men forty-five years or younger were admitted to CRA membership. There were separate Youth, Senior and Women’s groups, but they were not admitted to the mainstream of CRA politics. Roosevelt was re-elected during this period and America entered World War II in 1941. Nationally, the Republican Party was ineffectual. In California, however, Republican Frank Merriam was elected Governor in 1934. He was defeated by Culbert Olson in 1938. On March 7, 1941, in San Jose, the CRA endorsed Attorney General Earl Warren for Governor, and he was elected in 1942. In 1940, the CRA sponsored a rally at the Hollywood Bowl where presidential candidate Tom Dewey spoke before 18,000 persons. Republican hopes were high, but again Roosevelt was elected. However, the CRA was beginning to make its mark in politics.
By June of 1935, the CRA was organized in 47 of the 48 counties in the state of California and had over 8,000 members. The CRA was making political history.
FACTIONS
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he leaders and big money donors of the Republican Party of California had decided to attempt to bring about the nomination of Former President Herbert Hoover again in 1936. They decided to use the CRA as the vehicle for his first public appearance since his defeat in 1932. CRA organized a “Western Conference” of eleven western 10 • California Republican Assembly
states who were invited and attended the conference held in Oakland in 1935. Former President Hoover spoke publicly. Factions within the CRA were divided between Governor Frank Merriam, President Hoover and Earl Warren. In addition, newspaper king William Randolph Hearst was a strong supporter of Alf Landon of Kansas and, in a move to gain support for Landon, Ed Shattuck was invited as a houseguest for one week at the Hearst Castle at San Simeon. Despite the “Western Conference” and Hearst’s overtures, the California Delegation was headed by Earl Warren and was “uninstructed.” President Hoover had no delegates and Alf Landon became the nominee of the Republican Party. The CRA was split between Alf Landon and Governor Frank Merriam of California. At their convention in Visalia on Feb. 29, 1936, the CRA agreed to an uninstructed delegation to the National Convention. In Santa Cruz, February 13, 1939, the 6th CRA Convention elected Worth Brown president. A committee of 15 from CRA was appointed to meet with former President Hoover to oppose the “New Deal,” to write a Republican Platform, and to select a presidential candidate for 1940. They decided on an uninstructed delegation, to Worth Brown invite presidential candidates to California, and that CRA would sponsor their visits. The Los Angeles County Republican Assembly wrote the formula for selecting the California Delegation and Alternates to the Republican National Convention. The formula was adopted on December 1, 1939 at a meeting of official representatives from all Republican statewide organizations. California had 44 delegates to the National Republican Convention. The year was 1939. Germany’s Hitler invaded Poland. The 7th CRA Convention held in Los Angeles in 1940 elected William D. Campbell president. It was a presidential election year, and Republican hopes were high. Under the auspices of CRA, presidential candidate Thomas Dewey spoke against the “New Deal” at the Hollywood Bowl to 18,000 spectators. Since the California Delegation was uninstructed, the CRA did not pre-primary endorse the presidential candidate. At this time no statewide candidate could be endorsed by CRA, only by County Republican Assemblies. By 1940, the CRA had its largest membership since its inception–12,000 members. Continued on page 16
Banquet / Breakfast Speaker Biographies (Alphabetical Order) Gregory Adamson Gregory mesmerizes audiences with his fast-paced, music-inspired, performance art, appropriately titled “Facing the Music.” His subjects range from the musicians who inspire his work, to other celebrities from popular culture, politicians or custom portraits of his clients’ choosing. When not performing, Adamson works in either of his two studios in historic downtown Riverside, CA and Redlands, CA. He opens his Riverside studio to the public once a month which includes a one hour live video webcast on the internet. Gregory describes himself as a lifelong Reagan Republican who grew up in a politically active family in a rural community in the red state of South Dakota. In addition to his art career, Adamson has spent the last 33 years as a successful, corporate banker in Southern California. For additional information, please visit his web site: www.GregoryAdamson.com
Tom Del Beccaro
Vice Chairman, CA Republican Party
Tom Del Beccaro, is the Vice Chairman of the California Republican Party, Publisher of PoliticalVanguard. com, author of The New Conservative Paradigm and frequent talk radio and television commentator. In those roles, Tom is heard by millions of conservative activists on the radio, TV and in person each year. In his multiple roles, Tom is uniquely positioned to hear the pulse of politics all the way from the grass roots to Presidential candidates and legislators in between. Tom was first elected Vice Chairman of the California Republican Party in February of 2007 and re-elected in 2009. He was formerly Republican Party County Chairman of Contra Costa for three terms and former President of all 58 Republican Party County Chairman in California. Conservative Magazine Human Events on Tom Del Beccaro – “One of the GOP’s most effective communicators.” London based Economist Magazine: “Republican spines are…stiffened by conservative bloggers such as Tom Del Beccaro.”
Scott Baugh
Chairman, Orange County GOP
Scott Baugh, a native Californian, was raised in Redding. Scott was born on the 4th of July, the fourth of Helen and Cason Baugh’s five sons. Scott earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Liberty University then attended the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law in Sacramento. He was elected to the California State Assembly replacing former Asssemblywoman Doris Allen in an historic Recall Special Election. Then in 1999, Scott’s fellow Republican Assembly Members elected him Leader of the Republican Caucus. He currently runs a successful practice in Newport Beach, California where he interfaces with local governments throughout the state on behalf of his clients. On April 19, 2004 the Republican Central Committee of Orange County unanimously elected Scott Baugh as Chairman on April 19, 2004. Chairman Baugh is a resident of Huntington Beach where he lives with his wife Wendy and son Jackson Mitchell.
Hannah Giles Hannah Giles is the 20 year-old journalist who played the role of the prostitute in the ACORN video scandal this past fall. Since the September 10, 2009 release of the first video the Census Bureau declared it was severing all ties with ACORN. The Senate voted 83-7 in favor of de-funding the controversial group. The House voted 345-75 to cut all funds to ACORN, and more than 20 states have demanded either a full investigation of ACORN or that they lose their funding. A New York D.A. announced a full investigation of ACORN. The IRS cut their connections to the group, and just recently ACORN has declared it will undergo an official name-change. Hannah is an avid surfer and Gracie Jiu-Jitsu practitioner. She now works as a journalist for Andrew Breitbart, and has made numerous television and radio show appearances including: The Glenn Beck Show, America Live w/ Megyn Kelly, Hannity’s America, The O’Reilly Factor, The Mike Gallagher Show, Dennis Miller Radio, Sundays with Eric Shawn and The Red Eye with Greg Gutfeld. California Republican Assembly • 11
Banquet / Breakfast Speaker Biographies (Alphabetical Order) Eric Golub Eric is Brooklyn born, Long Island raised, and has lived in Los Angeles since 1990. He received his Bachelors degree from the University of Judaism, and his MBA from USC. He has been a stockbrokerage professional since 1994. He began blogging in 2007, on the three year anniversary of the Madrid bombings and the midpoint of 9/11. He has been inflicting his world view on his unfortunate readers since then. He blogs about politics Monday through Friday, and about football and other human interest items on weekends. His blog is the “Tygrrrr Express,” and in April of 2009 he published the book “Ideological Bigotry.” He speaks around the country to various chapters of the Republican Women’s Federated, Republican Jewish Coalition, Young Republicans, and other GOP groups. He wants you to all to know that if he ever says anything that offends you in any way, you probably deserved it. After years of dating liberals, he has finally seen the light and dates Republican women. His family is pleased over this.
Rod Martin President, NFRA
Rod D. Martin, Founder and Chairman of TheVanguard.Org, is a noted futurist and advocate for the eradication of poverty and the expansion of liberty throughout the world. A writer, speaker and technology entrepreneur, he also serves as President of the National Federation of Republican Assemblies (NFRA), Chairman of The Arlington Group’s National Security Team, and as a member of the Board of Governors of the Council for National Policy. Dr. Martin edited and co-authored Thank You President Bush along with numerous leading conservatives such as Ed Meese, James Dobson, Phyllis Schlafly and Grover Norquist, and has three additional books forthcoming. His writings have appeared in such publications as Human Events, WorldNetDaily, The American Spectator, World magazine, the Manchester Union-Leader, the San Francisco Examiner and Diario Las Américas. He lives on Florida’s beautiful Emerald Coast with his wife Sherri, with whom he dotes on their three beloved children. 12 • California Republican Assembly
Mark Harris Mr. Harris is a political researcher, author, freelance writer and speaker, and is a contributing blogger on BigGovernment.com. He is also a proud Tea Party member, the Coordinator for 912 West, the North Orange County Coordinator for the Tea Party Patriots, and on the Executive Committee for the Citizen Power Campaign, the state ballot initiative to stop the government’s forced confiscation and use of public employee wages for political purposes. Mr. Harris is the President of MHA Consulting, a business development, investment, and management company. He possesses over 30 years of hands-on business experience, having started his own international trading company at age seventeen, Sea-Fair Marine, which specialized in importing and distributing sporting goods made in Australia, Indonesia, and Taiwan. He holds a Master’s Degree from Stanford University, as well as a degree in Civil & Environmental Engineering from California State University, Long Beach. Mr. Harris is an avid surfer, skier, hiker, and adventure traveler. He has three children and lives in Orange County.
Ron Nehring
Chairman, California Republican Party
Ron Nehring was elected Chairman of the California Republican Party in February 2007. Since his days as President of his College Republican club almost twenty years ago, Ron Nehring has worked hard to advance Republican ideas and candidates. He managed campaigns for Republican candidates in his home state of New York before moving to Washington DC and working for some of the brightest minds in the Republican Party. In July 2001, Ron Nehring was unanimously elected Chairman of the Republican Party of San Diego County, one of the largest counties in America. He was re-elected by acclamation three times (2002, 2004, 2006), serving a total of 5 1/2 years as Chairman. Ron is a leader who has stepped up to teach campaign and communications strategy and tactics to others at campaign seminars throughout the U.S., Canada, and even in such troubled areas as Iraq, Bosnia, and Haiti through the International Republican Institute, the Leadership Institute and the Project for California ‘s Future.
Banquet / Breakfast Speaker Biographies (Alphabetical Order) James O’Keefe James O’Keefe is an investigative journalist and filmmaker. He filmed and produced a 2009 investigative report that helped expose corruption within ACORN, including ACORN employees providing individuals they believed to be involved in an international under-age prostitution scheme with advice on how to break the law. Congress voted to defund ACORN shortly after the videos were released. James began his career as a journalist as the founder and editor-in-chief of The Centurion at Rutgers University. He has helped start over a dozen campus newspapers nationwide. His past projects include an investigation of Planned Parenthood, where his reporting exposed the organization’s willingness to ignore apparent instances of statutory rape and eugenics-based racism. His production company is Veritas Visuals and he publishes with Andrew Breitbart at BigGovernment.com
Dana Rohrabacher
U.S. Congressman, 46th District
Currently serving his ninth term in Congress, Dana Rohrabacher represents California’s scenic 46th District. As Ranking Member of the International Organizations, Human Rights and Oversight Subcommittee of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Rohrabacher is a most forceful spokesman for human rights and democracy around the world. Rohrabacher is also committed to securing our borders and a staunch opponent of amnesty for illegal immigrants. During his tenure as Chairman, one of his first priorities was to investigate the U.N. Oil for Food program and potential foreign influence in the Oklahoma City Bombing. Rohrabacher is a strong voice for lower government spending and taxes. His record of fiscal restraint and progrowth policies has won him acclaim from the National Taxpayers Union, Citizens Against Government Waste, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Federation of Independent Business.
Ron Prentice
California Family Council
Ron Prentice is the founding and current director of California Family Council, which was instrumental in the creation of the coalition to advance the passage of California’s Proposition 8, protecting traditional marriage in California’s constitution. Ron chaired the executive committee for that initiative, and continues to serve as ProtectMarriage.com’s executive director. California Family Council is committed to the protection and promotion of Judeo-Christian principles in California’s culture, through grassroots influence, pastors, and legislation awareness. Prior to founding CFC, Ron served as the Vice President of Public Affairs at Focus on the Family. He is a licensed marriage and family therapist and resides with his family in Orange County.
Ed Royce
U.S. Congressman, 40th District
U.S. Representative Ed Royce (R) is serving his eighth term in Congress representing Southern California’s 40th District. Royce has a strong history of public service. In 1982, he was elected to the California State Senate where he began his fight for victims’ rights. He authored the nation’s first anti-stalker law and versions of his bill have been adopted in all 50 states. He was also the legislative author and campaign co-chairman of Prop. 115, the Crime Victims/Speedy Trial Initiative, approved by the voters in 1990. Royce serves as a senior member of two important Committees in the House: Foreign Affairs and Financial Services. He has been named Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation and Trade; member of the Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, and the Global Environment. A California native, Royce is a graduate of California State University, Fullerton, and School of Business Administration. California Republican Assembly • 13
Banquet / Breakfast Speaker Biographies (Alphabetical Order) Kevin Snider, Esq. Chief Legal Counsel, P.J.I.
Kevin Snider has been an attorney since 1994. During that time he has practiced primarily in the area of constitutional law and civil rights. In addition, Snider has sat on a variety of non-profit and faithbased boards as well as acted as corporate legal counsel. He currently is Chief Counsel for the Pacific Justice Institute. The PJI legal department that he heads has approximately 1,000 attorney affiliates who volunteer their time to represent people of faith and religious organizations. Snider has litigated numerous cases in state and federal courts. His current case load includes serving as PJI’s lead attorney defending the national motto – In God We Trust – where he, along with an attorney from the U.S. Department of Justice, argued the case before the Ninth Circuit in December of 2007. PJI intervened as a co-defendant with the federal government. He and his wife of 20 years, Chenyuan, live in the Sacramento area with their two children.
Gary Zelesky (Pastor Z) One word that encapsulates Gary: PASSION. Gary’s exciting, enthusiastic energy and explosive humor are definitely memorable, but it is his PASSION for life and the audience and his ability to connect with them in a way few do that makes Gary such a demanded speaker. Gary started speaking in the 1970’s to a group of young people whom he was challenging to take their life to the next level. In 1986 he trained, tooled and transported thousands of young people to reach the under privileged in sections of our world. Since 1990 Gary has traveled around the globe speaking to thousands of organizations including Boeing, Hilton Hotels, and MasterCard International bringing his message “Passion for life will take you where you want to go in life.” Gary is passionate about being married to his best friend Cherisse, and he is the proud dad of Mark, Leigh Ann and Nicole. He currently serves on the staff of Sunset Christian Center in Rocklin, CA where he heads up the Man Cave Ministries. 14 • California Republican Assembly
Steve Merrick Band The Steve Merrick band is the brainchild of Steve Merrick, who dabbles professionally in all sorts of musical styles. Most recently, Steve has assisted Jac Redford (Coach, One Night with the King, Leroy & Stitch, George of the Jungle II) on preparation of musical works for the Pope’s visit to America as well as films: Pixar’s “Wall-e,” (Golden Globe Winner; Academy Award Nominated) Disney’s “Tigger and Pooh and a Musical Too,” Universal’s “Revolutionary Road” (Golden Globe Winner), and 20th Century Fox’s “Avatar.” Weekly, Steve writes for and conducts a full orchestra and praise band at the First Evangelical Free Church of Fullerton, a church of over 4000 members. Not being tied to a label has enabled the Steve Merrick Band to reach out beyond churches and into the community. They have been blessed to play for multiple church venues as well as proudly sharing the gospel message in more public forums such as parks, amusement parks, and beaches.
David Zucker
Writer, Director, Producer, Executive
With worldwide box office hits such as Airplane!, Ruthless People, The Naked Gun franchise, Phone Booth, A Walk In the Clouds, and the record-breaking Scary Movie 3 and 4 franchises all to his credit, director/producer/writer David Zucker is one of Hollywood’s most successful filmmakers. David conceived the idea that would create a whole new film genre. The “film that saved Paramount,” Airplane!, broke all conventions by featuring dramatic actors like Robert Stack and Peter Graves performing zany dialogue with straight-laced sincerity. Recently, David produced the successful spoof Superhero Movie, helmed a low-budget independent feature, An American Carol, while also writing his next script, a PGrated action buddy comedy, The Secret Secret Service. David resides in Los Angeles with his wife Danielle, a physician, and two children, Charles, 10, Sarah, 7.
2010 Annual Convention Schedule Friday, March 5
Saturday, March 6 (continued)
2:00 pm – 7:00 pm Registration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mezzanine
2:30 pm – 6:30 pm Afternoon General Session. . . . . . . Rosamond I ~ Statewide candidate speeches (cont) incl. TOM CAMPBELL, STEVE POIZNER, and CARLY FIORINA ~ Tea Party rally ~ CRA VP candidates nominations and speeches ~ Senate and Deputy Senate District Director Elections
2:00 pm – 7:00 pm Vendors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . O’Neil 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm Committee Meetings Resolutions/Initiatives. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Talbert Rules/Bylaws. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Segerstrom Charter Review/Credentials . . . . . . . Modjeska 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm CRA Board of Directors Meeting. . . . . . . Irvine ~ Nominations, speeches, and endorsement vote for CRP candidates ~ Committee appointments ~ Other business
7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Welcome by ROD MARTIN, NFRA Chairman RON NEHRING, CA Repub. Party Chairman
4:00 pm – 6:00 pm NFRA Bd of Directors Mtg. . . . . . Rosamond II 7:00 pm – 9:30 pm Dinner Banquet. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Knott Welcome by JANET NGUYEN, OC Bd of Supervisors Chair SCOTT BAUGH, OC Republican Party Chair
Panel Discussion “2010: How Conservatives Will Win” DAVID ZUCKER RON PRENTICE TOM DEL BECCARO KEVIN SNIDER MARC HARRIS
75th Anniversary Gala Dinner*. . . Knott
Presentation of CRA 75th Anniversary Video JEFF EVANS
Ronald Reagan Freedom Fighter Awards Ceremony JAMES O’KEEFE HANNAH GILES
*Dress code is Black Tie preferred, dark business suit OK 9:00 pm – 12:00 am Conservative Youth Night with DJ and dancing. . . . . . . . . . . . . Rosamond II
“For the young and the young-at-heart”
9:30 pm – 11:30 pm Committee Meetings Resolutions/Initiatives. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Talbert Rules/Bylaws. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Segerstrom Charter Review/Credentials . . . . . . . Modjeska
9:30 pm – 11:30 pm Committee Meetings (as needed) Resolutions/Initiatives. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Talbert Rules/Bylaws. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Segerstrom Charter Review/Credentials . . . . . . . Modjeska
Saturday, March 6
Sunday, March 7
8:00 am – 12:00 pm Registration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mezzanine
7:30 am – 8:50 am Prayer Breakfast. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Knott Praise & Worship music by THE STEVE MERRICK BAND
8:00 am – 7:30 pm Vendors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . O’Neil 9:00 am – 12:00 pm Morning General Session. . . . . . . . . Rosamond I ~ Committee reports ~ Officer reports ~ Other business ~ Statewide candidate speeches incl. CHUCK DeVORE and MEG WHITMAN 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm Congressional Luncheon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Knott ~ Comedian ERIC GOLUB ~ Congressman ED ROYCE ~ Congressman DANA ROHRABACHER 2:00 pm – 7:30 pm Registration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mezzanine
Message by PASTOR GARY ZELESKY
8:00 am – 12:00 pm Registration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mezzanine 8:00 am – 12:00 am Vendors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . O’Neil 9:00 am – 12:00 pm Morning General Session. . . . . . . . . Rosamond I ~ Committee reports ~ Statewide candidate nominations ~ Statewide candidates endorsement vote ~ Resolution & Initiatives vote ~ CRA VP candidate vote 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm CRA Bd of Directors Meeting. . . . Rosamond II California Republican Assembly • 15
History, from page 10 On March 7, 1941, in San Jose, the CRA Convention elected William F. Reichel president. A dispute arose over a resolution to endorse Wendell Wilkie as National Party Leader. President Reichel also appointed a committee of twenty-nine to recommend candidates for statewide offices, which would not be divisive for CRA. The committee recommended then-Attorney General Earl Warren for Governor. On February 11, 1941, “The Axis,” Germany, Italy and Japan, declared war on America. In April 1942 in Santa Barbara, Carlyle Lynton was elected president of CRA at the 9th convention. Endorsements were made for: Earl Warren, Governor; Riley, Controller; and Johnson, Treasurer. The non-endorsed candidates declared the CRA endorsement unfair, un-American and un-Republican arguing that CRA did not represent the Republican Party as a whole in California. The opposition was wrong. All CRA pre-primary endorsed candidates were elected but one. The CRA decided on “no endorsement” for the office of Attorney General, and he lost. In its first ten years, the CRA truly revolutionized the political history of California. Their goal had been to change the Republican image and to elect Republicans to California state offices. However successful in California, for this first decade, they were plagued with “New Deal Roosevelt,” whom they were unable to unseat. Also, America was now in the middle of World War II.
1942-1952
I
t was the year 1942. World War II raged on and President Roosevelt was in his third term. The Republican Party was groping to find new leadership in order to regain a foothold in national politics. In contrast to the National Republican Party, California politics flourished. The California Republican Assembly had become a formidable political force. By their second decade of existence, they had indeed accomplished all their original goals. They controlled the Central Committee, Campaign Funds, the precinct organization, and without a CRA endorsement, no Republican candidate could hope to get elected. At that time, the Governor of California was Earl Warren, a Republican, as was Lt. Governor Fred Houser. William C. Troyer was the tenth CRA president and was elected Governor Earl Warren
16 • California Republican Assembly
in 1943, a non-election year. The most important event during that year was that CRA’s “Fact Finding Committee” recommended Governor Earl Warren head the California Delegation to the National Republican Convention in 1944. He went as a “Favorite Son” candidate, to avoid divisiveness. In order to see the historic role members of CRA played at the Republican Convention of 1952, it is necessary to go back to the year 1946. Robert Fenton Craig (paid executive secretary of CRA) met with members of the Pasadena Republican Assembly to speak with a potential congressional candidate. That candidate was Richard Nixon, accompanied by his wife, Pat. The CRA subsequently endorsed Nixon, who was elected to Congress in 1946, and again in 1948. In 1950 the CRA endorsed Nixon for U.S. Senate, and he was elected. At the Republican Convention of 1952, Earl Warren refused the vice presidential offer by Eisenhower because of his unpleasant experience four years previously. U.S. Senator Knowland, after much agonizing, also refused the offer. The following excerpts from a letter written by CRA Past President Markell Baer (1951-52) to Past President Dick Krugh (1973-74) dated November 8, 1975, best explain the events which took place at the 1952 Republican Convention: “Then, in 1952, Warren was again a potential candidate for the Presidency. I had the privilege of being on the train with him en route to the Chicago Convention. He reminded me of his experiences with Dewey and made it definite he would not again play second-figure as V.P. or with someone else. “At that convention, I was appointed the Chief Page for California, which gave me the privilege of attending the many committee meetings, etc. Then, I was asked to serve as aide to Senator Knowland who was our floor leader... “At the convention, I was finally assigned in charge of the special telephone from the Convention to Warren’s and Eisenhower’s headquarters. The night when Eisenhower was nominated, I first got a call for Earl Warren, and learned Earl had been offered the Vice Presidency nomination and had promptly refused... “With Earl’s emphatic refusal to Eisenhower, I was told to get Senator Knowland. I did so, and he came to the office where I was and with his father walked up and down, arm in arm, discussing the matter. The father kept saying Bill would be pushed aside and wreck his career, and besides the father almost daily telephoned him regarding affairs at the Tribune (as I personally know) and would not be able to do so with Bill running around as vice president. Meanwhile, the father’s wife sat with me
and cried over and over, that Bill should not give in, and I tried to console her. Well, Bill finally did refuse. And that was it. “Being told to return to the said phone the next morning, I did so, and soon came a call to get Nixon. I called in the pages and was told he was at the Stockyard Inn and so reported. Then someone in Eisenhower’s headquarters phoned me that I had given misinformation, that history was at stake, and it was serious, and I must produce Nixon at once, or else! “Well I left my post, and personally hurried to the said Inn. The clerk at first wouldn’t talk to me, said he did not know Nixon and he was not registered. However, I did learn that Murray Chotiner was in the hotel and I know Nixon was running around with Chotiner. So I managed to get up to Chotiner’s apartment and in it and found Dick lying on a bed, unshaven, still in his clothes (he had been up much of the night) and looking upset. I told him to get out, get dressed up and get to Eisenhower’s at once. “Soon after returning to my telephone post, he appeared, in better shape, and again I explained all that had happened. We called a taxi and about an hour later, there he was on the platform with Eisenhower, waving to the crowd of delegates, and was nominated. Since then, he has at times talked to me of this affair and laughed about it.” Sincerely, Markell Baer, Past President, 1949-1950 One wonders how American history would read had Mr. Baer not been able to locate Nixon at that crucial time. The Murray Chotiner mentioned in the At the 1952 Convention letter was CRA president in 1944-45. He was Richard Nixon’s Political Confidante and, later, White House Aide. Mr. Chotiner met with an auto accident and died a week later of an embolism on January 30, 1974. He had been with Nixon for three decades. In retrospect, Earl Warren was the darling of CRA. In 1941 he was acting Attorney General of California, and CRA endorsed him for Governor. However, Supreme Court Justice Earl Warren, with his controversial decisions over the years, turned the admiration of CRA members to consternation. By (circa) 1962, CRA members were circulating petitions urging the impeach-
ment of Earl Warren. In 1948 CRA revised its bylaws empowering Regional Directors to charter Assembly units who were too far away from county organizations – a great change in the CRA structure. In 1950, the CRA Lobbying Committee recommended that Election Codes be amended to require reporting of campaign contributions by persons or organizations interested in influencing legislation.
1952-1962
T
he CRA began its third decade in a state of exuberance. World War II hero General Dwight Eisenhower became the first Republican president in 20 years. Richard Nixon of California was elected Vice President of the United States. When Nixon took his oath of office as Vice President, he resigned as U.S. Senator. Governor Earl Warren appointed State Controller Thomas Kuchel to the U.S. Senate. Governor Earl Warren was succeeded by Goodwin Knight as California Governor in 1954. Those were good Republican years. The 20th CRA Convention, held in Los Angeles on March 6, 1953, was a most “enthusiastic victory” meeting. Though it was an off election year, the jubilation of the 1952 Republican victories (both national and state) persisted. In 1953, then-Vice President Nixon stated, “Volunteer organizations are the life blood of a political party. That is why all Republicans in California should give their wholehearted support to the CRA, which is the outstanding Republican organization in the state.” Richard Nixon campaigning Further, a telegram dated in California with CRA December 18, 1953, addressed President Murray Chotiner to Worth Brown (CRA President 1939-40) and signed by Hal Ramser (CRA President 1954-55) stated: “We are expected to be at the Governor’s office (Knight) Sacramento for lunch on Wednesday, February 3, to discuss better liaison between that office and CRA. Please confirm at once and make effort to be there. Hal Ramser.” Such was the importance of CRA in 1953. The 22nd CRA Convention in March of 1955 took place in Pasadena. CRA pledged to support the re-election of the “Ike & Dick” ticket becoming one of the first volunteer organizations to back their nomination at the Republican National Convention in San Francisco. Howard Jarvis was elected President of the Los Angeles California Republican Assembly • 17
County Republican Assembly in 1960 and later went on to author the historic property tax-cutting initiative, Prop. 13. In 1956 the CRA had a membership of over 11,000. At the Republican National Convention in San Francisco in 1956, the CRA presented 100 plaques to outstanding Republicans. Honored were President Eisenhower, Vice President Nixon, Republican governors, and others. CRA was a prestigious and powerful organization. “Ike & Dick” were elected on November 6, 1956, by an even greater margin than in 1952. In 1957, U.S. Senator William Knowland addressed a CRA Board meeting at the La Fayette Hotel in Long Beach, where he was cheered by 1,100 members. Robert Fenton Craig, then CRA President, announced that Senator Knowland would not run for Governor of California. He lauded Senator Knowland for his contribution to the formation of CRA in 1933. “Today the CRA has over 116 units in California,” he stated. Despite President Craig’s announcement, the 1958 Fact Finding Committee at the CRA Convention in San Jose, endorsed Goodwin Knight for U.S. Senate; William Knowland for Governor; and, Hon. Assemblyman Casper Weinberger from San Francisco for Attorney General. All were defeated in the November election of 1958 and Pat Brown, Sr., was elected Governor of California. In 1959, when Gardiner Johnson was CRA President, the Fact Finding Committee was instructed not to deliberate on the endorsement of Richard Nixon for President of the United States. President Johnson declared that Nixon was an “outstanding and unusually qualified candidate for the presidency,” and instructed the Resolutions Committee to report as such. It was done at the CRA Convention in Coronado in February 1959. In 1960, the four Nixon-Kennedy TV debates were “a first” in presidential campaigning. Viewers’ complaints that Nixon looked haggard and drawn during the first debate made the use of make-up on television an issue in the campaign. Nixon’s consent to the debates gave John Kennedy the wider audience he needed. The debates were the biggest single factor in Nixon’s defeat, and Kennedy admitted he would not have won without them. JFK was elected by only 118,263 more votes than Nixon in November 1960. In September of 1961, there were four possible Republican gubernatorial candidates: Goodwin Knight, Lt. Governor Harold 18 • California Republican Assembly
J. Powers, Assemblyman Joe Shell, and Richard Nixon. At the CRA Board meeting in Santa Maria on December 3, 1961, over 500 members came to hear Richard Nixon as California gubernatorial candidate. In November of 1962, Nixon was defeated by Edmund G. Brown, who was re-elected to his second term as governor of California. From 1952 to 1962 the CRA was still a political force with which California politicians had to deal, and unwise to ignore.
1962-1972 The CRA bore its greatest philosophical and structural changes during the decade from 1962 to 1972. The founders and builders of CRA were dedicated, astute and certainly most effective. However, their original vision of a United States Republican Assembly had eluded them. When the bylaw change was adopted to require paid memberships to units, some were outraged and felt betrayed. Dr. Robert Craig, one of the founders, feels to this day that this single bylaw change crippled the whole original concept of what CRA should have accomplished. Nevertheless, they had accomplished the gargantuan task of a statewide effective volunteer organization. CRA’s founding fathers were of a liberal philosophy, and therefore, CRA was liberal, as were the men they elected to public office. Unfortunately for Republicans, Roosevelt and World War II made the national political scene impenetrable for 20 years. By contrast, in California the CRA endorsed and elected candidates, and changed the state’s political history as no other volunteer organization has done before or since. Circa, 1955, there were people within the ranks of CRA whose philosophy was diametrically opposed to that of CRA’s founders. From “militant forward-thinking liberal” in 1962, CRA became “moderate” by 1963 and “conservative” by 1972. Fred Hall was elected President of CRA in 1962, and it was the beginning of the end of the domination of the liberal element in CRA.
WATERSHED The 1963 CRA Convention was the most bitterly fought convention ever between the liberal and conservative factions within the CRA. Labor union member William Nelligan won
over Harry Waddell, who was supported by the conservatives and John Birch Society members. The rift was so great that amid shouts of “foul play and stuffing ballot boxes,” the Waddell group staged a walkout. They later organized the United Republicans of California and never returned to CRA again. Bill Nelligan was the last of the liberal presidents of CRA, but the liberal vs. conservative battle had only just begun. On November 22, 1963, President John F. Kennedy was assassinated, and Lyndon B. Johnson was sworn in as President of the United States. CRA was said to have a membership of 14,000 that year. The 1964 CRA Convention was a philosophical battle, with CRA members split in their support of Nelson Rockefeller or Barry Goldwater for President. It became the most tumultuous, chaotic and divisive convention ever to be staged by members of CRA. President Nelligan, founding father Ed Shattuck, past president A. Ronald Button, and past president Harvey Mydland led the Rockefeller forces. Past president Gardiner Johnson, Assemblyman Jack Schall, Dick Darling, and Nolan Frizzelle, led the Goldwater forces. Amid manipulation and stalling tactics, the hour became late. Many of the delegates had to catch planes and left. There had been twelve hours of wrangling, and by 9:30 p.m. Assemblyman Schall asked for a ruling by the
chair on the two-third rule for endorsement. The ruling was in his favor. It was then that the Rockefeller forces walked out and Goldwater was endorsed by the CRA in the wee hours of the morning. The struggle between right and left, within CRA continued. The John Birch Society, a political organization, was recruiting members nationwide. Its adversaries depicted it as an organization bent on a “Republican Party takeover,” calling its members “the lunatic fringe” and “extremists.” It was said that five members of the CRA executive board were members of the society at that time. In 1964, Nolan Frizzelle was elected the first of the conservative presidents of CRA. Barry Goldwater was nominated at the 1964 National Republican Convention in San Francisco, but the conservative forces nationally were not robust enough to elect him president. In November 1964, Lyndon Johnson became president. Cyril Stevenson was elected president of CRA in 1965. In 1966 the CRA delegates endorsed Ronald Reagan for governor. He defeated Governor Edmund G. Brown, who was seeking a third term. In November of 1966, all the Republican candidates on the Reagan team won, except the candidate for controller. In 1968, the CRA Convention endorsed Richard Nixon for president and Max Rafferty for U.S. Senate over incumbent U.S. Senator Tom Kuchel. Kuchel lost in the June primary election to Max Rafferty, California Republican Assembly • 19
and Rafferty lost to Alan Cranston, a Democrat, in the November election. The Nixon-Agnew ticket defeated Democrat presidential candidate Hubert Humphrey. July 21, 1969, was the date of the incredible “Walk on the Moon.” It was also an incredible time for the Republican Party having both a Republican president and governor. In 1970 the CRA was rocked by the discovery that the CRA treasury had been looted. Paul Casattas, first elected treasurer in 1969, admitted to the embezzlement. Dissent and friction in the Los Angeles County Republican Assembly added to CRA’s chaos that year. L.A. County, the largest in the state, had over 2,000 members. The animosity and power struggle within the unit was bitter and long. It culminated at the CRA convention in 1971 when the chartering rights of the L.A. unit were revoked, and the state changed the way in which the unit could select directors. With that change and the ensuing chaos, the 2,000 memberships of 1971 dwindled to just seventeen units by 1981. Los Angeles County has never recovered from that period. In November of 1982, Bradley won in Los Angeles County by 51.46% over Deukmejian, and Brown by 52.46% over Pete Wilson.
In November of 1972 Nixon and Agnew were reelected by a landslide election. The world was shifting, and CRA shifted its political philosophy and Vice President Spiro Agnew spoke at the 1972 its structure CRA Convention. during the decade 1962 to 1972 from moderate to conservative.
1972-1982 The decade encompassing 1972 to 1982 was a time of despair (Watergate) and presidential euphoria (Reagan) for CRA. In 1972, Reagan was Governor of California and Nixon was
Congratulations to the
CRA
g n i s r o d n e r fo u o y k Than my campaign for the t! 70th Assembly Distric
for 75 Years of Grassroots Activism.
r e n g a W n o D
www.WagnerForAssembly.com
20 • California Republican Assembly
President of the United States. The CRA Convention delegates elected Dr. Donovan Pretzer president of CRA that year. Dr. Pretzer decided that the CRA archives should be stored in a permanent place for posterity. He approached the University of California at Los Angeles, where the archives were accepted and are now stored permanently. By 1972, conservative elements within the Republican Party were becoming more vocal in their opposition to President Nixon’s policies. The war ends. Amnesty to those who had fled the country to avoid serving in Vietnam became a national issue and a furious debate. On May 30, 1973, Tom Bradley defeated Sam Yorty and became Mayor of Los Angeles. CRA passed a resolution that year urging acceptance of the Panama Canal zone as our 51st state. At the 1973 CRA convention, the bylaws were changed from Congressional District Directors to Assembly District Directors for greater grass roots involvement. After Vice President Spiro Agnew was accused by the press of having accepted gratuities while he was Governor of Maryland, he was forced to resign October 10, 1973. President Nixon appointed Gerald Ford Vice President. Then came Watergate accusations, which immobilized the government and shocked the nation. Republicans were confused and hoped for a plausible explanation.
CRA News March 1974
Let us try to persuade Congress to either impeach the President or ‘GET OFF HIS BACK’ as some have put it. We are glad to see Senator Barry Goldwater and Senator Hugh Scott begin to take the offensive in support of the President. There are too many pressing and vital issues facing our country for Congress to waste all its time on Watergate. Let us demand that they get on with the important business of running our great country.
On March 18, 1974, the Watergate scandal infiltrated California. Special Watergate Prosecutor, Leon Jaworski, probed into the alleged offer by International Telephone and Telegraph Corporation to help finance the 1972 Republican National Convention and accused Lt. Governor Ed Reineke of improprieties.
By October 2, 1974, Lt. Governor Reineke was forced to resign and Governor Reagan appointed John Harmer Lt. Governor. The uncertainty of Watergate came to an end on August 10, 1974. President Nixon resigned as President of the United States (a first in American history) and Gerald Ford was sworn in as President. His statement to America: “The nightmare is over.” The San Gabriel Valley Tribune reported the CRA had 5,600 members in 1974. On September 9, 1974, President Ford granted President Nixon an absolute pardon to avoid trials and further sensationalism. He then appointed Nelson Rockefeller to the Vice Presidency of the United States. In November of 1974, Jerry Brown defeated Republican Houston Flournoy to become governor of California. CRA voted against the Equal Rights Amendment for women in 1975. At that same CRA board meeting, a Resolution was passed supporting an open primary and national convention. Vice Chairman of the Republican State Central Committee, Mike Montgomery, stated, “We cannot tolerate having a state committee involved in a Reagan-Ford fight. Our responsibility as state officers is to ensure all candidates receive fair and impartial treatment.” At the Republican National Convention, President Gerald Ford became the Republican Nominee by a small majority over Ronald Reagan. On November 3, 1976, President Ford lost to Democrat Jimmy Carter. Republican losses were heavy in the election. Watergate had taken its toll. CRA’s founding fathers must have experienced the shock of a lifetime when, on April 17, 1977, the first woman in CRA history was elected president of the California Republican Assembly — Ms. Mike Evans. She sought a second term in 1978, contrary to a CRA unwritten law, and was defeated in her CRA President Mike Evans Continued on page 24 California Republican Assembly • 21
CRA Past Presidents (1934-2009)
Sherrill Halbert (1934-35)
Edward Shattuck (1936-37)
Bob Barkell (1937-38)
George Newell (1938)
McIntyre Faries (1938-39)
Worth Brown (1939-40)
William Campbell (1940-41)
William Reichel (1941-42)
Carlyle Lynton (1942-43)
William Troyer (1943-44)
Murray Chotiner (1944-45)
Arthur Carmichael (1945-46)
G. Revella Harrison (1946-47)
Arthur Strehlow (1947-48)
Gordon Richmond (1948-49)
Ernest West (1949-50)
Harrison McCall (1950-51)
Markell Baer (1951-52)
Donald Button (1952-53)
Albert Bower (1953-54)
Hal Ramser (1954-55)
Robert Power (1955-56)
Robert Fenton Craig (1956-57)
George Millias (1957-58)
John Phillips (1958-59)
Gardiner Johnson (1959-60)
Harvey Mydland (1960-61)
Robert Lindsey (1961-62)
Fred Hall (1962-63)
Bill Nelligan (1963-64)
22 • California Republican Assembly
Nolan Frizzelle, O. D. (1964-65)
Cyril Stevenson, Jr. (1965-66)
Dick Darling (1966-67)
Frank Adams (1967-68)
Tirso Del Junco (1968-69)
James Kraemer (1969-70)
Dave Gater (1970-71)
Hugh Koford (1971-72)
Donovan Pretzer (1972-73)
Dick Krugh (1973-74)
Darell Meyer (1974-75)
Truman Campbell (1975-76)
Wendell R. Cutting (1976-77)
Mike Evans (1977-78)
Dennis Catron (1978-79)
Michael Carrington (1979-80)
Stephen Frank (1980-81)
Jean Mary Orr (1981-82)
Coanne Cubete (1982-83)
Bob Thierry (1983-84)
Joe Gilmaker (1984-85)
Barbara Rathbun (1985-86)
Ralph Waugh DDS MD (1986-87)
Bob Byerley (1987-88)
Dr. Ev Roden (1988-89)
William Hoge (1989-90)
Rick Staats (1990-91)
Michael Schroeder (1991-93)
Greg Hardcastle (1993-95)
Jon Fleischman (1995-97)
John Courtney (1997-99)
Sergio Picchio (1999-2001)
Sen. Dick Mountjoy, Ret. (2001-2003)
Mike Spence (2003-2009) California Republican Assembly • 23
History, from page 21 bid. Dennis Catron was elected president that year. Delegates of the 1977 CRA convention passed a Resolution urging Congress to continue ownership and control of the Panama Canal. “It is vital to the defense of the free world,” it said. In May of 1978, the CRA endorsed Ed Davis for Governor over Evelle Younger, Mike Antonovich for Lt. Governor over Mike Curb, and George Deukmejian for Attorney General. In November, all Republicans lost their bids for state office except Deukmejian and Curb. At CRA’s March Convention in Los Angeles, members heard two candidates for the Republican Presidential nomination and vote on proposed changes to CRA bylaws. The two presidential candidates? Ronald Reagan and Phillip Crane. On April 26, 1980, the American public learned that an attempt to rescue American hostages in Iran had failed. Americans were killed, helicopters destroyed, and it became an American fiasco. Inflation climbed, and Carter’s popularity fell to an all time low. The Republican debates between Baker, Dole, Crane, Connelly, Reagan, and Bush were exciting. In California, John Schmitz and Pete McCloskey filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior court to invalidate the California “winner take all” election system. They were not successful. On April 11-13, 1980, in Santa Clara, presidential candidate Ronald Reagan, was guest speaker and was endorsed by CRA. Mike Curb, Lt. Governor, was the luncheon speaker, and Steve Frank of Los Angeles was elected CRA president that year. The California Delegation to the Republican National Convention, July 12-18, 1980 in Detroit, Michigan, was like a CRA homecoming. CRA past president, Dr. Tirso Del Junco, was a convention speaker. Past Presidents Mike Evans, Dick Darling, Frank Adams and Truman Campbell attended, to name only a few. Ronald Reagan became the Republican nominee. 24 • California Republican Assembly
In November, the Press called the election “too close to call,” but never was election polling more discredited. On November 6, 1980, Ronald Reagan was elected by a landslide. When he was sworn in as President of the United States, the American hostages were freed in Iran. Bells tolled in Washington D.C., and yellow ribbons were visible all over America. Hopes were high. At the April 1981 CRA Convention in Irvine, the second woman in CRA history was elected president, Jean Orr. In March of 1982, CRA endorsed Bob Dornan for U.S. Senate, and for the third time, a woman was elected President of CRA, Coanne Cubete. Attorney General George Deukmejian won the Republican nomination for Governor and Pete Wilson won the U.S. Senate nomination. Deukmejian was elected Governor on November 2, 1982, defeating Tom Bradley. Pete Wilson won the U.S. Senate seat over Jerry Brown. No other Republicans were elected to state offices. Republican losses nationwide were attributed to high unemployment rates. In 1983 the CRA embarked on its 50th anniversary. Governor George Deukmejian was the guest of honor.
1982-1992 In 1983, Bob Thierry was elected CRA president in L.A. during a non-election year. The November 1983 issue of CRA News had a front-page photo of past president Mike Evans with the notation, “Mighty Mike Evans is the Godmother of the Texas Republican Assembly.” When the Texas RA held their first reception, there were more than 1,000 members in attendance. Thus the vision of CRA founders Ed Shattuck and Robert Fenton Craig was becoming reality. The Republican National Convention was held in Dallas, Texas August 20-23, and Ronald Reagan was nominated for a second term. Joe Gilmaker became CRA president at the April convention in 1984. He was the first CRA president to appoint a computer committee. CRA entered the computer age.
Governor Deukmejian kept his campaign promise to get a fair reapportionment. Over 800,000 signatures were gathered to put his initiative on the ballot to establish a non-partisan commission of former judges to draw the reapportionment lines to prevent the blatant gerrymandering by the Democrats. At the 52nd CRA convention, January 1985, Barbara Rathbun was elected CRA president. Governor Deukmejian’s initiative for fair reapportionment was defeated by voters fearful of “involving judges in politics,” it was said. At the same time, Republicans out registered Democrats, and there were 6.8 million Democrats to 4.7 million Republicans. Dr. Ralph Waugh became the new CRA president in 1986-87. On September 13, 1986, a special CRA convention met in Santa Clara for the express purpose of taking a position on California Supreme Court Justice Rose Bird. She Pat Robertson, Senator John Ashcroft, Bruce had been appointed by then-Governor Herschensohn, and Attorney General Dan Jerry Brown, known as “Governor MoonLungren. beam.” The ballot proposition to remove Mike Schroeder, an attorney from Orange Rose Bird was referred to as “cleaning up County, was elected CRA president 1991-93. the Bird mess.” He launched an ambitious fundraising drive The year 1987 was the Bicentennial attempting to raise $1,000 from 35 CRA memof the U.S. Constitution and the CRA dedibers. cated its March convention in Irvine to Lt. Col. Oliver North is presented In August of 1991, plans were made to the celebration. CRA received congratu- CRA’s Ronald Reagan Freedom hold a meeting in Houston, TX, with current latory letters from Richard Nixon, Gerald Fighter Award by Congressman members from Vermont, Illinois, and Texas to Ford, George Bush, George Deukmejian, John Doolittle. propose the expansion of CRA to other states. and others, but the one most treasured by CRA was the Ronald The CRA bylaws were changed in 1991 to allow CRA presiReagan letter. dents to serve two years instead of the traditional one-year The River City RA in Northern California had a member- term. However, the rotation of CRA presidents from north to ship of over 300 members in 1984. Col. Bob Byerly became the south was retained. The first CRA president to serve the twonew CRA president in 1987. He was a retired military officer year term was Mike Schroeder. Later, President Schroeder was and businessman from Fairfield, CA. elected Chairman of the California Republican Party. In 1988, the following year, Dr. Everet Roden was elected president of CRA. It was a presidential election year. George 1992-2000 Bush was elected president and Dan Quayle vice president. At the CRA convention in 1989, William E. Hoge became Nineteen ninety-two was a presidential election year, as CRA president, and later was elected an Assemblyman from the well as an election year for one of California’s two U.S. Senate Pasadena area. seats. Governor Pete Wilson was able to ensure a fair reapporRick Staats was elected CRA President in 1990. At the pre- tionment due to his non-compromising position, and the CRA primary endorsing convention, CRA voted a “no confidence” commended him for it. for the candidacy of Pete Wilson for U.S. Senate because of his The CRA endorsing convention for U.S. president and other pro-abortion stance. Layne Allred was hired by CRA to become positions was held in Orange County on April 3-5. Bill Bennett, the field coordinator and to recruit support for CRA endorsed author and Ronald Reagan’s Drug Czar, was a guest speaker as candidates. was Dick Cheney. President George Bush and Vice President During May 3-5, 1991, at the CRA 58th Convention in Sac- Dan Quayle were defeated by Bill Clinton. ramento, the featured speakers were Lt. Col. Oliver North, Greg Hardcastle was elected CRA president, 1993-95. The California Republican Assembly • 25
next CRA endorsing convention was held in April 1994, in Sacramento to endorse for U.S. Senate and all California Constitutional officials. Pete Wilson was re-elected Governor, and only two other Republicans won statewide office: Chuck Quackenbush (Insurance Commissioner) and Bill Jones (Secretary of State). Jon Fleischman was elected CRA president, 1995-97. He was later to become the Executive Director for the California Republican Party. Governor Pete Wilson became the California state chairman for the Bob Dole campaign for president. As the Dole campaign faltered in California, CRA endorsed Pat Buchanan for president. Candidate Dole selected Jack Kemp as his vice presidential running mate, but nothing seemed to give the campaign the momentum needed to win. The Clinton-Gore ticket was re-elected. However Republicans won control of Congress for the first time in many years. The so-called suicide of Deputy Counsel Vincent Foster became public, and critical questions arose. Confusion and coverup ensued. New CRA President, John Courtney, was elected in April in Ontario, CA, for the 1997-99 term. Outgoing CRA President, Jon Fleischman, presented the Ronald Reagan Freedom Fighter Award to convention speakers Senator John Ashcroft of Missouri, Senator Fred Thompson of Tennessee, Dr. Pat Robertson, Steve Forbes, and Governor George W. Bush of Texas.
Governor George W. Bush speaks to the CRA in 1997.
By 1997, the National Federation of Republican Assemblies has expanded to include Virginia RA, Minnesota RA, Nevada RA, and Colorado RA. By the end of 1997, 40 states expected to belong to the NFRA. Past CRA President, Steve Frank, became president of NFRA. In February of 1997 at the California Republican Party Convention, CRA members were predominately elected. Many 26 • California Republican Assembly
liberal and moderate Republicans present called it a “CRA takeover.” The CRA Convention, held in Ontario, overwhelmingly endorsed the “English for the Children” and the “Parental Consent” initiatives Congressman Darrell Issa, Assemblyman being prepared for Howard Kaloogian and U.S. Senator Fred the 1998 election. Thompson at a 1997 CRA Convention In July of 1997, the CRA had one of its most enjoyable meetings in the beautiful surroundings of Mammoth. Most members brought their families. 1998 was an election year for California legislators and congress. The CRA endorsed Attorney General Dan Lungren for Governor, Senator Richard Mountjoy for Lt. Governor, and Darrell Issa for U.S. Senate. All lost their elections. Democrat Gray Davis was elected Governor. At the April 1999 CRA meeting, presidential candidates courted the CRA hoping to receive its endorsement. Those who spoke were Senator Bob Smith, Steve Forbes, Pat Buchanan, Gary Bauer, and Alan Keyes (George W. Bush and Elizabeth Dole were the only candidates not present). Sergio Picchio was elected CRA president 1999-2001 by acclamation. The CRA endorsing convention for president took place on November 12-14, 1999 in Ontario. The CRA endorsed Gary Bauer for president. The National Federation of Republican Assemblies held its first-ever presidential endorsing convention in April of 1999 in Kansas City, Missouri. Steve Forbes, though not receiving the 2/3 vote required for endorsement came close and was clearly the favorite. On October 4, 1999, Governor Davis signed into law a bill authorizing production of “Ronald Regan license plate,” as a tribute to the former president. In April of 2000, CRA celebrated its 65th Anniversary from its 1935 date of incorporation. The convention took place in Napa, the second greatest tourist attraction in California. Assemblyman Tony Strickland, former California Supreme Court Justice William Clark and John Gizzi, political editor for Human Events, were the speakers. With CRA’s excellent leadership in the political arena, the conservative movement, which has expanded across America, bodes a bright future for CRA and the NFRA.
from the previous Republican Governor had turned into a huge deficit of $35 million. Governor Davis was attacked by both ReThe new CRA President Retired Senator Dick Mountjoy, publicans and Democrats and finally the rumble turned into a was elected at the convention held March 30 to April 1 at the call to resign, threat of impeachment or recall. The recall that Renaissance Los Angeles Hotel. The speakers were Congress- was finally decided upon required the huge task of gathering man Bob Barr of Georgia; Pat Boone, singer and actor; and Da- 900,000 signatures. The petitions were soon circulated for recall. vid Keene, American Conservative Union. The CRA Annual Convention was held at the Renaissance The first quarterly board meeting for 2001 was held in Simi Hotel in Agoura Hills, from March 28-30, 2003. Mike Spence was Valley at the Grand Hotel near the Ronald Reagan Presidential elected the new CRA President. Speakers for the convention Library on July 12-15. The election for State Constitutional offices of California was to be held in November 2002, but candi- were Gary Aldrich, former FBI agent, and David Horowitz, fordates were already campaigning. Businessman, Bill Simon and mer Communist turned Conservative activist. Following the election of Mike Spence as the new president Secretary of State Bill Jones were gubernatorial candidates and CRA went on a whirlwind drive. Recall Governor Davis rallies Senator Tom McClintock who was running for State Controller were held in Sacramento and were all speakers at the Board around the state. CRA gathered Meeting. The highlight of the over 25,000 of the more than a meeting was a special tour conmillion signatures that were colducted for delegates and guests lected. The recall qualified and of the CRA Board meeting at the election was called for Octothe Ronald Reagan Presidential ber 7, 2003. If the Governor is reLibrary. The banquet also took called a new Governor would be place at the Reagan Library. elected on the same ballot. A CRA endorsing convenThe CRA was host comtion for the California Primary mittee for the NFRA Biennial elections was held on November Convention which was held at 9-11, 2001 at the Atrium Hotel the Hilton Hotel in Burbank, Auin Irvine. The CRA endorsed gust 7 to 10, 2003. It was billed CRA President Senator Dick Mountjoy with businessman Bill Simon for GovDr. Laura Schlessinger at a 2001 CRA Convention as a Hollywood Star Studded ernor. TV Commentator Bruce Event. Stars, who were Republican, were introduced by Master Herschensohn was the banquet speaker with famous radio talk of Ceremonies for the evening Ted Baehr and each one gave show, family defender, Laura Schlessinger appearing at the their perspective as a Republican and a Christian in the Hollyprayer breakfast. The National Federation of Republican Assemblies held its wood scene. Other speakers at the convention were John Gizzi, annual convention from August 23 to 25, 2001 in Dallas, Texas Human Events Political Editor, John Barletta, Secret Service Agent for President Ronald Reagan, Senator Tom McClintock, with many CRA members in attendance. NFRA elected Paul Haughton from Georgia as their Presi- William Federer and Pat Boone for the Prayer Breakfast. NFRA dent and CRA was well represented on the NFRA Board with elected their new President Richard Engle, from Oklahoma and Past President, Steve Frank and Peggy Mew, CRA Membership the NFRA endorsed George W. Bush for President. The CRA Endorsing Convention was held following the Secretary elected to NFRA Secretary. Also on the board were CRA President, Dick Mountjoy; National Committeewoman Ce- NFRA Convention. The CRA overwhelmingly endorsed Tom Mcleste Greig; and National Committeeman, Sam Paredes, CRA Clintock for Governor and raised over $250,000 to support our endorsed candidate.. also was the largest delegation to the National Convention. The recall election was successful and Governor Davis was In November of 2002 all the Constitutional offices except recalled with 60% of the people voting for the two top Repubtwo Board of Equalization seats were won by Democrats. The CRA and the Republican Party of California were devastated. lican candidates, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Senator Tom Newly re-elected Governor Gray Davis was in favor of tripling McClintock. Arnold Schwarzenegger was elected Governor of the car tax and giving drivers licenses to illegal aliens. CRA and California and sworn in to office November 17, 2003.. While the recall election was going on CRA was qualifying a many Californians considered his previous four years as Goverreferendum to stop SB60, the bill to give drivers’ license to illenor unstable, he had no vision and the surplus he had inherited
2001-2005
California Republican Assembly • 27
CRA’s award-winning websites gal aliens (Save Our License). The ShelleyMustResign.com and number of signatures necessary to SaveOurLicense.com place this on the ballot were collected and the legislature quickly introduced legislation to delete the language of SB 60 out of the law. SB 60 was the only bill in California history that was repealed before it could take effect. Thus making it unnecessary to referend a law that was no longer in existence. The annual CRA Convention was held in Sacramento’s Red Lion Hotel, March 26-28, 2004. Former Secretary of State Bill Jones, the Republican nominee for US Senate, Bill Simon, Senator Rico Oller, Senator Tom McClintock, Board of Equalization member Bill Leonard, former Assemblywoman Barbara Alby, State Party Chairman, Duf Sundheim, as long as necessary. During the first two years under the direction of President and Republican nominee for the 70th AD Chuck DeVore, were the featured speakers. The prayer breakfast was highlighted by Mike Spence, CRA increased visibility statewide and within the Assemblyman Tim Leslie giving the message and Assemblyman Republican Party. CRA was the only group fighting the statewide school bond through ProtectTaxpayers.com. CRA helped Rick Keene singing and leading the music. Campaigns and Elections magazine ran a full page profile dump Dan Rather through AdmitTheLie.com. CRA was months of the CRA, highlighting its success in defeating SB60. CRA’s ahead of the media and the state party in our Shelley Must Resign Campaign against corrupt website and the Save Our LiSecretary of State Kevin Shelley. cense website, designed and The CRA Independent Expenmaintained by Jeff Evans, won diture Committee raised and “Pollie” Awards by the American spent almost $400,000 supportAssociation of Political Consuling CRA endorsed candidates tants. and issues at all levels. June 5, 2004, our beloved In April 2005, CongressPresident Ronald Reagan passed man/Judge James Rogan, Asaway and the world stopped for semblyman Dennis Mountjoy, a moment to pay him homage. Senator Dennis Hollingsworth, President Reagan has said of Charles Wiley from AIM, Assemthe CRA “The best symbol of the CRA President Mike Spence discussing the Save Our License blywoman Audra Strickland, grassroots worker I can think Referendum with KFI Radio hosts John and Ken Senator Tom McClintock, Board of is the California Republican of Equalization Member Bill Assembly….CRA provides the nucleus of the Republican canLeonard, Assemblyman Van Tran, Congressman Tom Tancredo didate’s volunteer work brigade”. President Reagan described CRA as “The Conscience of the Republican Party”, a label we (CO), Bill Simon, and Pastor William Turner, Jr. all spoke at CRA’s convention. continue to live by in his honor. The NFRA held its National Convention, September 2-5, In August, 2004 CRA with the support of Assemblyman Mark Wyland launched the Constitutional Amendment Initiative to 2005 in Scottsdale, AZ. They held a Presidential Cattle Call for prohibit government from giving driver’s licenses, in-state col- all prospective 2008 GOP Presidential candidates. As we go forward to future anniversary celebrations lege tuition subsidies and other benefits to illegal aliens. The initiative circulated until February 2005 and unfortunately didn’t we continue to stand by our principles and in the words of gather the necessary 598,000 signatures to qualify. CRA has President Ronald Reagan, stay the course and continue to be vowed to continue to keep illegal immigration a prominent issue the “Conscience of the Republican Party.” 28 • California Republican Assembly
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l CONGRATULATIONS TO CRA! . . .
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California Republican Assembly for 75 Years of dedication! Thank you for standing up for life, traditional marriage and limited government. www.FamilyActionPAC.com
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Tax, spend and borrow is not a governing philosophy, it’s a cycle of dependency that must be broken. During these tough times we need to give small businesses—the real job creators in our economy—the tools to grow and hire people, rather than saddle them with more government intervention and regulation. Carly Fiorina Candidate, United States Senate
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