76th Assembly News

Businesswoman and Carlsbad City Councilwoman Farrah Douglas announced that the San Diego Young Republicans (SDYR) have endorsed her campaign for Assembly. Farrah is running for north San Diego County’s 76th Assembly District, currently held by Martin Garrick, who is leaving office due to term limits and has endorsed her candidacy.

SDYR is one of San Diego County’s largest Republican grassroots organizations. The organization has over 100 members that they are committed to activate in order to influence the political process through education, leadership, and volunteerism.

“San Diego Young Republicans are proud to stand behind Farrah Douglas for Assembly,” said Matt Donnellan, SDYR’s President. “Farrah has an impressive track record on the Carlsbad Council and her experience as a job creator would be an asset to our region in the state capitol.”

The endorsement from SDYR is the latest in a flood of support for Farrah’s campaign. In March, Farrah received the endorsements of the Mexican American Business & Professional Association (MABPA), and the National Tax Limitation Committee PAC. Farrah previously released the endorsements of Encinitas Mayor Jerome Stocks, Carlsbad Mayor Pro Tem Ann Kulchin, Carlsbad Councilman Keith Blackburn, Encinitas Councilman Mark Muir, and Solana Beach Mayor Joe Kellejian. They join other prominent regional leaders like campaign co-chairs Assemblyman Martin Garrick, Carlsbad Mayor Matt Hall, County Supervisor Pam Slater-Price, and businessman and civic leader Tom Sudberry.

On the most recent campaign finance report, Farrah outraised her opponents in contributions once again. Farrah’s widespread support in the district is a testament to her long history of public work, community involvement and business and civic leadership.

Businesswoman and Carlsbad City Councilwoman Farrah Douglas announced that the Mexican American Business & Professional Association (MABPA) has endorsed her campaign for Assembly. Farrah is running for north San Diego County’s 76th Assembly District, currently held by Martin Garrick, who is leaving office due to term limits and has endorsed her candidacy.

In a glowing endorsement letter, MABPA President Josie Calderon included: MABPA shares in your ideals. Small businesses are the way out of this recession…your diversity and immigrant background is a testament of your deep-seated impetus and resolve that has shaped you into the small business owner and civic leader you are today.

The entire MABPA endorsement letter can be viewed HERE.

The MABPA is the latest of a long list of business organizations, taxpayer associations, and local political and civic leaders who have endorsed Farrah’s candidacy. Earlier in the month the National Tax Limitation Committee PAC endorsed Farrah’s campaign. Farrah previously released the endorsements of Encinitas Mayor Jerome Stocks, Carlsbad Mayor Pro Tem Ann Kulchin, Carlsbad Councilman Keith Blackburn, Encinitas Councilman Mark Muir, and Solana Beach Mayor Joe Kellejian. They join other prominent regional leaders like campaign co-chairs Assemblyman Martin Garrick, Carlsbad Mayor Matt Hall, County Supervisor Pam Slater-Price, and businessman and civic leader Tom Sudberry.

On the most recent campagin finance report, Farrah outraised her opponents once again. Farrah’s widespread support in the district is a testament to her long history of public work, community involvement and business and civic leadership.

Businesswoman and Carlsbad City Councilwoman Farrah Douglas announced that the National Tax Limitation Committee (NTLC) has endorsed her campaign for Assembly. Farrah is running for north San Diego County’s 76th Assembly District, currently held by Martin Garrick, who is leaving office due to term limits and has endorsed her candidacy.

The NTLC PAC is one of the longest standing and strategically oriented pro-taxpayer and entrepreneur organizations in America. Since the organization’s founding in 1975, the NTLC PAC’s mission has been: To provide national leadership to achieve the optimal size and functions of government and promote candidates and initiatives that support these goals.

“The National Tax Limitation Committee is proud to endorse Farrah Douglas for Assembly,” said
Lew Uhler, founder and President of the National Tax Limitation Committee PAC. “Farrah’s experience as a small business owner and local elected official who has opposed tax increases and cut spending is desperately needed in state government.”

The National Tax Limitation Committee PAC bolsters Farrah’s already strong position in the race for the 76th District. Farrah previously released the endorsements of Encinitas Mayor Jerome Stocks, Carlsbad Mayor Pro Tem Ann Kulchin, Carlsbad Councilman Keith Blackburn, Encinitas Councilman Mark Muir, and Solana Beach Mayor Joe Kellejian. They join other prominent regional leaders like campaign co-chairs Assemblyman Martin Garrick, Carlsbad Mayor Matt Hall, County Supervisor Pam Slater-Price, and businessman and civic leader Tom Sudberry.

In the latest campaign finance reporting period, Farrah out-raised her opponents by a wide margin. Chavez reported $103,287 for this period, but deducting his $47,000 personal loan shows he only raised $56,287 from actual contributors. Likewise, Hodges reported a total of $86,819 for the same period but deducting her $27,000 personal loan shows that she only raised a total of $61,819 from contributors. In the same reporting period Farrah has raised $114,261.83 from actual contributors with no loans.

I care deeply about the district I have represented for the last 5 years and want to make sure that the person that follows me into the State Assembly has the conservative principles and character worthy of the people who live and work in the district.

That’s why I have endorsed Farrah Douglas.

I have known and worked with all the candidates running for many years. In fact, Sherry Hodges once served as my district director.

It is because I know these candidates so well that it is so important that you support Farrrah Douglas. First-hand experience has made it very clear to me who is the most qualified and most prepared to make a difference in Sacramento and this is, without question, Farrah.

Sacramento needs capable, smart, articulate, and experienced voices. Individuals who have worked hard to build a business, make a payroll, and face the challenges of a state hostile to success. We need decision-makers, not people who pushed paper for decision-makers.

Make no mistake, the outcome of this election is important. 76th District voters have the opportunity to elect a strong and successful woman that will not take a backseat to the career political class in Sacramento. Farrah Douglas will break barriers and get things done for North County residents and we will be proud to have someone like her fighting for our interests.

I urge you to join me in supporting Farrah Douglas and ask you to make a contribution TODAY to help her campaign succeed on June 6.

Friends,

The Sunday edition of the North County Times had a great article about women who are front-runners for Assembly seats in San Diego County. The piece points out our campaign’s momentum:

In the 76th District, Douglas faces fellow Republicans Sherry Hodges, an Assembly aide, and former Oceanside Councilman Rocky Chavez.

Douglas is a relentless, personable campaigner with a terrific personal story. Although a rookie on the Carlsbad City Council, she has been long active in coastal politics. She’s a sure bet for the top two.

Hodges has some backing, but it is hard to see her topping Douglas.

Chavez has the best name recognition of the three; unfortunately, it generates more negative vibes than positive.

Our campaign continues to generate amazing support and our momentum grows daily. Please help us keep the momentum going by making a contribution to our campaign today.

Thank you!
Farrah

P.S. The entire article below, with the sections specific to our race highlighted…

HARRIS: Bring on the women

The face of our region’s representation in Sacramento is about to change.

Historically, Southwest Riverside County and North San Diego County’s “face” in Sacramento has been a white male.

But even though the filing deadline for California’s June primary is still about two weeks away, it’s a safe bet that male dominance ends this year.

Our region is home to five Assembly districts, all with newly crafted boundaries: the 67th, 75th, 76th, 77th and 78th.

In the races for those two-year seats, only one will feature an incumbent. And when the final campaign balloon drops and pops in November, I’ll bet the victors in at least three of those five will be women.

June 5 will be California’s latest stab at an “open primary.” All candidates will be listed on the same ballot, with the top two (even if from the same party) advancing to a November runoff.

And women are the early front-runners to win three of those Assembly contests in the general election, let alone finish in the primary’s top two:

• Escondido Councilwoman Marie Waldron in the 75th District, redrawn to include Escondido, San Marcos and Valley Center, with Temecula roped in as an apparent afterthought.
• Carlsbad Councilwoman Farrah Douglas in the 76th District, a coastal North County seat representing Camp Pendleton, Oceanside, Vista, Carlsbad and Encinitas.
• Assemblywoman Toni Atkins in the 78th, which was redrawn to include Solana Beach and Del Mar. The district runs along the coast south to the border, darting inland to pick up San Diego’s Midtown, Hillcrest and adjacent neighborhoods. Atkins is a San Diego Democrat who represents the current 76th Assembly District.

Republican Party insiders have basically handed Waldron the 75th District, where the party dominates voter registration.

In the 76th District, Douglas faces fellow Republicans Sherry Hodges, an Assembly aide, and former Oceanside Councilman Rocky Chavez.

Douglas is a relentless, personable campaigner with a terrific personal story. Although a rookie on the Carlsbad City Council, she has been long active in coastal politics. She’s a sure bet for the top two.

Hodges has some backing, but it is hard to see her topping Douglas.

Chavez has the best name recognition of the three; unfortunately, it generates more negative vibes than positive.

The new 78th District closely tracks Atkins’ current district, and with the Democrats’ edge in numbers there, it would be a shock if her bid falters.

Male dominance also could end in Southwest County’s 67th Assembly District. There, Lake Elsinore Councilwoman Melissa Melendez is facing three men for the right to advance to November, making her odds 50-50.

The 77th District covers the northern parts of the city of San Diego, with Poway, Rancho Santa Fe and Fairbanks Ranch added for good measure. At last check, the 77th candidate list remained a men’s club —- such a pity.

Women can and will shine elsewhere.
Read more: http://www.nctimes.com/news/opinion/columnists/harris/harris-bring-on-the-women/article_6e9496fa-2914-5d9e-8900-97f3936cf8eb.html#ixzz1nX0ck5SH

(Carlsbad, Calif.) – Businesswoman and Carlsbad City Councilwoman Farrah Douglas announced that Encinitas Mayor Jerome Stocks has endorsed her campaign for State Assembly.  Farrah is running for north San Diego County’s 76^th Assembly District, currently held by Martin Garrick, who is leaving office due to term limits and has endorsed her candidacy.

“Farrah is my choice for Assembly because she has the private-sector orientation we need in Sacramento,” said Mayor Stocks. “Her experience as both a City Councilmember and business owner set her apart in a state legislature that continues to burden taxpayers, small business owners and local governments”.

Mayor Stocks joins an ever-growing list of local leaders who are lining up behind Farrah.  Recently, Farrah released the endorsements of Carlsbad Mayor Pro Tem Ann Kulchin, Carlsbad Councilman Keith Blackburn, Encinitas Councilman Mark Muir, and Solana Beach Mayor Joe Kellejian. They join other prominent regional leaders like campaign co-chairs Assemblyman Martin Garrick, Carlsbad Mayor Matt Hall, County Supervisor Pam Slater-Price, and businessman and civic leader Tom Sudberry.

In the latest campaign finance reporting period, Farrah out-raised her opponents by a wide margin. Chavez reported $103,287 for this period, but deducting his $47,000 personal loan shows he only raised $56,287 from actual contributors. Likewise, Hodges reported a total of $86,819 for the same period but deducting her $27,000 personal loan shows that she only raised a total of $61,819 from contributors.  In the same reporting period Farrah has raised $114,261.83 from actual contributors with no loans.

By Thomas K. Arnold | Wednesday, February 8, 2012

While much of the nation is focusing on the Republican Presidential primary, North County politicos are buzzing about the increasingly heated race to represent the GOP in the newly redrawn 76th Assembly seat.

Consisting mostly of the coastal cities of Carlsbad, Encinitas, and Oceanside, along with Vista and Camp Pendleton, the 76th —- a venerated seat that propelled former California Governor, and San Diego Mayor, Pete Wilson into public office in 1967 —- is now largely Republican, which means the winner of the three-way GOP primary will probably win the general election in November.

Much of the smart money is on freshman Carlsbad City Councilwoman Farrah Douglas, who leads the two other contenders —- Rocky Chavez, a former Oceanside councilman who was acting head of the state veterans affairs office in Arnold Schwarzenegger’s final days as governor, and former legislative aide Sherry Hodges —- in both fundraising and what I call “pol-appeal.”

Douglas, a Carlsbad business owner since 1990, collected $114,262, virtually all of it from individual donors in the second half of 2011, according to financial disclosure forms.

Chavez on his filing lists cash contributions of $96,891, but nearly half of that comes from a loan.

Hodges, who in January quit her job as chief of staff to Assemblywoman Diane Harkey to focus on the race, took in $86,423, of which $25,000 was a loan.

Douglas may not have put her own “skin” in the game, as Chavez and Hodges have done, but that’s because she didn’t need to. She collected plenty of money from supporters.

The second part of the equation, “pol-appeal,” is a little more difficult —- and that’s coming from me, who coined the term. It’s equal parts name recognition and perception.

In name recognition, consider it a three-way tie. Douglas is big in Carlsbad, Chavez is known throughout Oceanside and Hodges has the southern coastal towns wrapped up.

But in terms of perception, again, there’s a clear leader. Since winning her Carlsbad council seat in November 2010 with a record vote total, Douglas has endeared herself to her political cronies. Mayor Matt Hall is co-chair of her campaign; her former rival, Councilman Keith Blackburn, is one of her supporters. Douglas also has a lengthy list of high-profile endorsements from outside Carlsbad, including the mayors of Encinitas and Solana Beach.

Chavez, pun intended, has a rocky political past. He ran against Oceanside Mayor Jim Wood and lost, and then left the conservative wing of the City Council in the lurch when he took a cushy state job. Indeed, two of Chavez’s former council colleagues, Jerry Kern and Jack Feller, have endorsed Hodges.

Hodges has a long record of political involvement, having worked for Assemblyman Martin Garrick, Sen. Mimi Walters and former Assemblyman Mark Wyland before going to work for Harkey. And yet as a member of the Tri-City Tea Party, she may be a bit too right-leaning for the progressive-Republicans mindset of our coast —- a perception heightened by the fact that she’s also endorsed by San Diego Minutemen founder Jeff Schwilk.

Observers also note that Garrick, Hodges’ former boss, not only has not endorsed her, but has signed on as co-chair of Douglas’ campaign.

Granted, the primary election is not for another four months, and in politics that’s an eternity. Anything can happen. But for now, most observers agree Douglas has the upper hand.

The race is hers to lose.

Friends,

We did it! Thanks to your overwhelming support we raised more money than both of our opponents in the latest campaign finance period — by a wide margin!

Because of generous donors like you our campaign raised $114,262 from individuals.  Here is how we did compared to my opponents:

-$114,262 for Farrah
-$61,819 for Hodges
-$56,287 for Chavez

Not only did we raise more money, but we nearly raised as much as both of our opponents combined! We also didn’t need to pad our numbers with personal loans to prove that our campaign has real momentum.  The real numbers are more compelling: we were able to raise over $100,000 from real individuals, voters, families and businesses in just over three months.

We’ve come a long way, but we still have a ways to go — and another campaign finance reporting period is due in another 6 weeks.  Please help us keep the momentum going by making a contribution today.  If you already gave, would you consider matching your previous contribution?

Please consider making an online donation today by clicking here.

I sincerely thank you for all you have done and continue to do for my campaign. With your help, I look forward to serving our north San Diego County in the Assembly.

Carlsbad City Councilmembers Keith Blackburn and Ann Kulchin have joined Mayor Matt Hall in endorsing Farrah Douglas for State Assembly. Farrah is running for north San Diego County’s 76th Assembly District, currently held by Martin Garrick, who is leaving office due to term limits.

“I’ve always been impressed with Farrah’s ability to learn quickly and understand the issues that impact our families, businesses, and local governments,” said Councilwoman Kulchin. “Her well-rounded background as a mother, business owner, community volunteer, Chamber of Commerce executive and councilmember, sets her apart.”

Councilman Blackburn added, “It has been great working with Farrah on the City Council. She is incredibly insightful, carefully studies the issues before making up her mind, and knows how to build a coalition. We need Farrah to fight for our region in Sacramento.”

In addition to Blackburn and Kulchin, the Douglas campaign also recently released the support of Encinitas Councilman Mark Muir and Solana Beach Councilman Joe Kellejian. They join other prominent regional leaders like campaign co-chairs Assemblyman Martin Garrick, Carlsbad Mayor Matt Hall, County Supervisor Pam Slater-Price, and businessman and civic leader Tom Sudberry. Farrah also recently announced that her campaign raised over $110,000 in her first campaign finance period.

“As a business owner, Farrah knows firsthand how government impacts businesses. She has put that knowledge to work and has worked with the rest of the council to streamline the permitting process, cut costs and help bring projects to Carlsbad,” remarked Mayor Hall. “This experience is exactly what we need in our next Assemlymember.”

Carlsbad City Councilwoman Farrah Douglas released the following statement in response to the recent news that Democrat legislative leaders are suing the State of California over back pay that was withheld in 2011 when they were unable to pass a balanced state budget on time:

California’s families are struggling to make ends meet and small businesses across the state have been forced to shut their doors because Sacramento continues to hinder our economic recovery with its anti-business and anti-taxpayer policies.

It’s offensive that the Democrat majority in the state legislature is unable to responsibly balance the state budget, yet wants to be paid for not doing their most basic job function.

As a small business owner, I know firsthand that pay is earned when a quality product or service is delivered on time, for a reasonable price — something taxpayers certainly are not getting from the majority party in Sacramento.

This is a reminder that we need to elect people who are fully prepared and committed to bring a serious dose of common sense to the state Capitol. We need elected officials who will fight for taxpayers and small businesses — not bureaucrats who are just looking for another paycheck.
California’s unemployment rate is 11.3%, almost 3 full points higher than the national average of 8.5%. That means hundreds of thousands of Californians receive no salary because they have no job; meanwhile California legislators’ salaries are as much as $125,000 per year yet are suing the state for monies they didn’t even earn.