CA-Sen: Chuck DeVore Takes Heat for Ignoring California Constituents

Well, Chuck DeVore is “termed out” after all, so who cares about his Orange County constituents and California state issues, right?

Last week, I wrote about teachers wearing blue, passing out flyers and protesting because the state budget crisis has resulted in dozens of teachers in Newport Mesa losing their jobs.

I sent this message (via Facebook) to Assemblyman Chuck DeVore, R-Irvine, who represents Corona del Mar:

“Chuck,

Newport Mesa teachers are passing out flyers today to protest state cuts in education. The flyers allege that legislators negotiated in secret with lobbyists for $2 billion in tax breaks.

Comment? Are you attending any protests?”

Here is his reply, which came two days later:

“No protests — too busy campaigning across the state.”

He ignored a follow-up message, asking if he had any response or comment.

Now, I do not single out DeVore for blame on the budget mess, or the fact that my daughter’s class size is going to increase next year. And I do like the fact that he’s available on Facebook, that I can send him notes and get an answer. He’s often very accessible and will answer questions and concerns.

But I do wonder why he has the luxury of blowing off his current job (representing us) to pursue his next job (he’s hoping to become a U.S. senator.)

Can you imagine telling your boss, “Sorry — I’m too busy interviewing for a cool new gig to get that report to you this week…”? You would be so fired, so fast.

But, Assemblyman DeVore did have the time to write a comment to this California voter’s concern that he is not doing the job he was elected to do.

Chuck DeVore, on March 9th, 2010 at 10:04 am Said:

So I communicate with you and you hit me for it. Nice. I receive far more invites on a daily basis than I can possibly attend. I am in Sacramento today and will be meeting with people in my office, then driving myself to Placerville tonight for a speech on behalf of my U.S. Senate campaign. We are in session Monday through Thursday, so attending a protest would require a special flight.

All the best,

Chuck DeVore
California State Assemblyman
Candidate for United States Senate, 2010

Perhaps, Assemblyman DeVore should either just resign from the Assembly so he can campaign for the United States Senate or concentrate on his job at hand. Obviously, he is not a great multi-tasker with his constituents in mind.

Typical career politician.