CA-11

Congressional candidate Dean AndalDean Andal, challenging Democratic U.S. Rep. Jerry McNerney in what is widely seen as one of the most hotly contested House races this fall, has tapped Republican operative John Franklin to serve as his day-to-day campaign manager, PolitickerCA.com has learned.

“John is a tough, experienced campaigner –– familiar with California, and familiar with congressional campaigns. He will be a real asset to the Andal team," said Richard Temple, an Andal consultant.

Franklin is no stranger in Republican circles. A longtime political and legislative aide to U.S. Rep. Darrell Issa, Johnson served as the campaign manager for U.S. Rep. Brian Bilbray in his 2006 special election campaign for the seat of former U.S. Rep. Duke Cunningham. Later in that cycle he managed the campaign of Sharon Angle, a U.S. Congressional candidate from Nevada who narrowly failed in her primary bid against Dean Heller. Franklin is fresh off a tour managing the successful campaign to beat back the recall attempt against state Sen. Jeff Denham.

Franklin said he was ready to steer the effort for Andal, a former state Assemblyman and onetime member of the California Board of Equalization.

With pre-primary fundraising totals released today, Democrats were quick to pounce on Republican U.S. House candidate Dean Andal’s for what is sure to be widely seen as a disappointing haul.

The fundraising reports show Andal taking in just $11,434 between April 1 and May 14 – far short of Democratic incumbent Jerry McNerney’s $148,783 during the same period.

"Is Dean Andal too radical, even for Republican donors? Andal's disastrous fundraising makes us even more confident that we will win California's 11th Congressional district in 2008," said Yoni Cohen, a spokesman for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

Congressional candidate Dean AndalOn the same day that John McCain is bringing the presidential spotlight to the Central Valley area, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is taking aim at a Stockton U.S. House candidate who is slated to campaign with McCain: Dean Andal. At issue is Andal’s relationship with lobbyists.

“Dean Andal is far more radical than John McCain,” said DCCC spokesman Yoni Cohen. “In the State Assembly, Radical Andal spent 60 percent of his time with lobbyists. On the campaign trail, Radical Andal has failed to denounce negative advertising from shady outside groups. Where does Radical Andal stand? With John McCain or with lobbyists working with special interests to increase the cost of gasoline, education, and health care for California families?”

The California Democratic Party is taking aim at Republican U.S. House candidate Dean Andal, who is challenging Democratic incumbent Jerry McNerney, five months before voters in the Stockton-area District 11 head to the polls.

U.S. House candidate Dean AndalIn a Thursday memo addressed to “political reporters, editors, and interested parties,” CDP spokesman Brian Brokaw writes that “it’s time to address the issues, Andal,” and poses to the candidate what Brokaw says are “unanswered questions” about his stances on issues.

The memo also aims to play up what has been seen in some quarters as concern about the progress of Andal’s campaign, namely on the fundraising front.

Former State Sen. Jackie Speier is the front runner to replace the late Tom Lantos in Congress
When voters head to the polls on April 8 to fill the U.S. Congress seat formerly occupied by Tom Lantos, the fourteen-term San Mateo Democrat who passed away in February, it is a pretty safe bet they will select former State Senator Jackie Speier.

“Jackie Speier is assumed to win, and she probably will,” said Barry Hermanson, a Green Party candidate who is running against Speier for the seat.

As Jim Ross, a Bay Area-based Democratic strategist put it, “if the sun rises on April 8th, Jackie Speier will replace Tom Lantos.”

Speier, who served two terms in the state Senate after holding seats in the California Assembly and the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors, faces token opposition for the seat. But she seems intent on making sure all the bases are covered.

Former State Sen. Jackie Speier is the front runner to replace the late Tom Lantos in Congress
When voters head to the polls on April 8 to fill the U.S. Congress seat formerly occupied by Tom Lantos, the fourteen-term San Mateo Democrat who passed away in February, it is a pretty safe bet they will select former State Senator Jackie Speier.

“Jackie Speier is assumed to win, and she probably will,” said Barry Hermanson, a Green Party candidate who is running against Speier for the seat.

As Jim Ross, a Bay Area-based Democratic strategist put it, “if the sun rises on April 8th, Jackie Speier will replace Tom Lantos.”

Speier, who served two terms in the state Senate after holding seats in the California Assembly and the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors, faces token opposition for the seat. But she seems intent on making sure all the bases are covered.