A new era is beginning for our local SCV California Republican Assembly chapter and I am both humbled and excited to be part of it.  I haven’t yet met with our new board so let me start by making clear that this commentary reflects my personal views, not my role as President of our CRA. Last Thursday, a re-election bid by the CRA’s current slate of officers failed to pass, leaving three incumbents in place and adding four new names to the board of officers.  The new slate of officers includes the following:

  • David Gauny, President
  • Paul Strickland 1st Vice President (i)
  • Alan Ferdman, 2nd Vice President
  • Linda Paine, 3rd Vice President
  • Wendy Albright, Treasurer
  • Brian Koegle, Secretary (i)
  • Andre Hollings, Past President (i)

The California Republican Assembly is one of the most important conservative voices for the Republican Party.  As Ronald Reagan said, it is “the Conscience of the Republican Party.”  Our local CRA is filled with smart, caring, hardworking members who are dedicated to sourcing and electing Republican leadership that will lead our nation and our children to a brighter future.  I am honored to have received this vote of confidence and proud to stand by my many friends and mentors who were members long before me. 

Conservatives in California have seen their share of setbacks over the past few years.  After watching Governor Schwarzenegger cut endless deals on key conservative issues, it was clear early on that Republican voters weren’t going to swallow Meg Whitman’s milquetoast campaign easily. 

The most spectacular part of Whitman’s campaign was not its epic failure but rather the priceless research it provided: an unintentional $180 million poll that proves mixed messages and soft-pedaling is no longer working on our voters.  Our middle class is being soaked and people no longer tolerate politicians who refuse to stand on our most critical issues. 

There really is no other explanation as to why a state on the brink of bankruptcy and listed #49 out of 50 for business climate couldn’t get one new Republican into an elected office in 2010.  The fact that the same Democrats were returned to office in California and the greatest regulator of all time was re-elected to our Governor’s seat is even further proof that the Republican Party must return to its principles.  Victory will come through leadership, not pandering. 

Other states figured out what the California Republican Party refused to acknowledge in 2010: stop fighting conservative voices for change in the party and start listening – really listening.  Rather than expecting voters to follow the insiders’ gravy train, other states sought out new leaders, fresh ideas, and provided a real voice to their constituents.  While we were being told that victory can only come through compromise in our liberal state, Republicans in other states were turning their Blue states Red!  How?  They stood. 

And that’s literally what SCV CRA members did Thursday night.  For far too long, our local CRA has not been the “Conscience of the Republican Party.”  Instead, it has been dominated by the party itself.  Seven out of eight of the CRA officer positions in 2010 were filled by paid staff of elected representatives, members of the 38th District Central Committee, their spouses, or both.  Given that the 38th Central Committee is responsible for endorsing Republican candidates and “always votes incumbent,” one must question how the party’s conscience can be represented by these officers who are more focused on re-election than heeding the voice for change. 

Don’t get me wrong.  The CRA should –must!– endorse Republican nominees.  But as the conscience of the party, we have an obligation to thoroughly and openly vet these leaders prior to nomination, incumbent or otherwise.  One must look no further than Santa Clarita to see why. 

When Councilman Bob Kellar stood strong on immigration, he was rejected by the Meg Whitman campaign and hung out to dry by his fellow “Republican” council members. Later that year, one Republican council member voted against endorsing legislation from Congressman McKeon that would prevent issuance of driver’s licenses to illegal aliens, eliminate “anchor baby” privileges, and stop in-state university tuition discounts for illegals.  In December, another council member went as far as writing an unauthorized letter to the incoming and outgoing congress (even Obama!) calling for “comprehensive immigration reform” and a “pathway to citizenship” on behalf of our entire city. 

All were endorsed by the 38th Central Committee and while the voters decided Meg’s fate, the local incumbent “Republican” council members will enjoy this endorsement again in 2012.  If this same rubber-stamp committee controls our CRA, what conscience is left to demand accountability? 

The muting of our CRA reached a critical point in 2010.  I was present more than once this past year when members were told if they didn’t get behind Meg Whitman, they were not Republicans and risked being removed from membership.  Some members who supported Fiorina for Senate but not Meg for Governor were forced to sit outside Republican Headquarters to make their yard signs.  And rather than admit that RINOs exist, CRA members were recently advised that this label would no longer be tolerated in our meetings.  Really?  Since when did this esteemed Republican organization become a union of thugs marching under a Red Flag?  Are we simply awaiting further instructions to find out which shade of Republican we must be?  No thanks!  That’s socialism.   

Last Thursday’s vote was just the latest example of CRA members locally and across the state who are demanding that Republican leadership start recognizing and responding to its majority.  Such changes will not come easy from entrenched Republican leadership, and some personal swipes are already underway. 

The Fallout. 

As voting concluded Thursday evening, the event was tarnished when outgoing Vice-President Lynn Haueter stated before the membership that I had betrayed her by organizing a voting bloc against the board. This is not true.  That said, I must apologize to Lynn for a statement I made to her during a phone call the day before the vote.  Specifically, I said, “Lynn, I will always support you but I may not support the slate.”  I wish I had never said this.  I genuinely like Lynn very much, and I hereby apologize to you – very publicly. 

During that conversation, Lynn and I both acknowledged talk of another member running for her seat, the prospect of which I revealed had led to a few discussions of my own for gathering votes and doing the same.  But as I told her then, those discussions fizzled and I believed at that time that any plan for an organized opposition fizzled with them.

So, while Lynn’s remarks were understandably fueled by the opposition to her slate, her assumption that I was behind it was unfounded.  Some may have organized for the vote but the fact is that a number of people strongly opposed the slate and they turned out the vote. 

And although I felt sick about my changing my support for Lynn, I had my reasons for this too.  I did not know someone would nominate me from the floor until the day of the vote but it was the voting process itself that made clear that accepting the nomination was the right decision.  These are just a few of the irregularities that took place:

  • Members asked that the vote be conducted by secret ballot but were denied, a violation of both Roberts Rules of Order and overriding CRA State bylaws which state plainly in Section 15.06, “Voting shall be by ballot only.”  Forcing members to stand was intended to intimidate members into supporting the slate.
  • Officers motioned to halt nominations from the floor, attempting to re-elect the slate without allowing new challengers.
  • After a day of phone banking by CRA officers, only 20 or so non-officer members showed up to support them.  To supplement that low turnout, minors were allowed to vote despite complaints that only registered Republicans (of voting age) could vote per CRA bylaws.
  • Dues and membership have been so mismanaged that the integrity of the voting process is suspect.  Many checks have gone uncashed for over a year in some cases, allowing eligible voter lists to be easily manipulated.  Identification of dues-paying members that night was impossible for anyone but incumbent officers.

As I said that evening, political leadership demands that duties of office come before personal relationships and agendas.  In my view, our party has run too long on friendships and favors and this type of manipulation is killing our people, our party, and our country. 

I will serve the CRA at the pleasure of our membership.  As president, my primary goals will be to restore transparency and responsible governance to our local CRA, fostering an environment where we can really begin listening to the voice of our people again.  Among my goals:

  • Restore monthly meetings of the Executive Directors, providing public formal minutes, bylaws, and reports.  Treasurer and membership reports will also become part of our regular meetings.
  • Implement an email newsletter to keep people up to date on speakers, events, expiration of membership, etc.
  • Create a bridge between CRA/Republican Party leaders and other local conservative groups to enhance communication and understanding of issues, ideals, and goals.
  • Promote a more rigorous dialog with elected leaders; fewer stand-and-deliver presentations and more Q&A from our members.
  • Invite new conservative voices and candidates from outside our local political sphere to share ideals and speak about what’s working for their outreach and GOTV programs.
  • Promote more discussion and less moderation when vetting ALL Republican candidates leading up to primary and general elections.
  • Use members to the best of their ability and interest.  We will not all agree on every candidate, but volunteer support for any Republican candidate will never be turned away.

The current trend of our Republican Party toward conservative values and transparent leadership is the most important opportunity we’ve had in years.  If we fail to grasp it, we will fail completely. 

I look forward to working with my fellow board members to make this the best year ever for our CRA.  Your ideas and thoughts are welcome – contact me anytime at: davidgauny@ca.rr.com.

David Gauny is a community volunteer and former Santa Clarita City Council candidate who serves on a number of boards. His commentaries represent his own opinions and not necessarily the views of any organization he may be affiliated with or those of the West Ranch Beacon.