• Elton Gallegly

    Rep. Elton Gallegly and Friends Operation Toy Drop 2012 Edition

    Elton Gallegly Rep. Elton Gallegly and Friends Operation Toy Drop 2011 Edition

    Rep. Elton Gallegly lends a hand as the non-profit group For the Troops packs its 25,000th package for military men and women deployed overseas, October 2010.
    Photo Credit Elton Gallegly’s Facebook.

    My Congressman Elton Gallegly will be retiring from Congress in a number of weeks, but he is continuing spreading Christmas joy as he has for many, many years.

    From the press release:

    In a community thank you to military families at Naval Base Ventura County, the U.S. Rep. Elton Gallegly and Friends Operation Toy Drop will once again present toys and food primarily to families who have a service member who has been deployed, is deployed or is scheduled to be deployed.

    WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 16, 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m., Naval Base Ventura County, when Santa will arrive from the North Pole on an Air Force C-130 bearing gifts for the children.

    WHO: Santa, Elton & Janice Gallegly and Friends

    WHAT: Distribution of:

    · Approximately 500 bicycles and small battery-operated cars

    · Approximately 850 age- and gender-appropriate gift bags with toys and/or sporting goods

    · 500 turkeys

    WHY: To thank the families who also sacrifice when a loved one is deployed to defend the United States and all Americans.

    Interested media are requested to contact Kimberly Gearhart, NBVC Public Affairs Officer at 805-989-9234 or kimberly.gearhart@navy.mil by 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 14, for access instructions.

    Thank you, Congressman and Mrs. Janice Gallegly for all that you have done for Ventura County in your many years of service.

  • Elton Gallegly,  SOPA

    SOPA: Why Rep. Elton Gallegly is Wrong on the Stop Online Piracy Act

    What SOPA and PIPA are at face value and what they could end up enabling

    Elton, my friend, watch the video above and rewrite SOPA.

    I know you are a co-sponsor of the legislation.
    However, it is a bad and fatally flawed piece of legislation.

    Many Republicans, including conservatives have withdrawn their support for SOPA and its Senate companion bill PIPA.

    Nobody wants or likes online piracy. But this law, as currently written, is not the way to go.

  • CA-26,  Elton Gallegly,  Tony Strickland

    CA-26: California State Senator Tony Strickland Announces His Congressional Candidacy

    Tony Strickland and his family, including former California Assemblywoman Audra Strickland

    California State Senator Tony Strickland is in the race for CA-26.

    From the press release:

    Surrounded by family and supporters, State Senator Tony Strickland today announced his campaign for Congress in an event at the Commemorative Air Force Aviation Museum.

    “I remember the most important lesson my father taught me: that it’s the duty for every generation to leave their community in a better place than they found it,” said Strickland. “And that’s why I’m asking to become your next Congressman.

    I expect the campaign ahead to be spirited but I’m committed to uniting our community; Republicans, Democrats, and Independents behind policies that create jobs and economic opportunity for those struggling to make ends meet.”

    Strickland also stressed the importance of maintaining a strong national defense and developing alternative energy sources.

    “Send me to Congress, and I’ll stand up to those who want to weaken our military and threaten our defense related jobs,” he continued.

    “Dependence on foreign energy sources makes our energy prices vulnerable and too reliant on unstable and sometimes hostile foreign regimes. We can no longer afford to fund both sides of a war. Energy independence is truly a national security issue,” he added.

    Strickland announced at the Aviation Museum at the Camarillo Airport before a group of 100 or so supporters and Ventura County political activists. He joins previously announced candidates, Ventura County Supervisors Steve Bennett and Linda Parks, Oxnard Harbor District Commissioner Jess Herrera, Moorpark City Councilman David Pollock, retired longshoreman Zeke Ruelas of Oxnard and businessman David Cruz Thayne of Westlake Village.

    The seat is being vacated by long-time incumbent Congressman Elton Gallegly who has announced his retirement.

    I will have video of the announcement later in the afternoon.

  • Elton Gallegly,  Linda Parks,  Steve Bennett,  Tony Strickland

    CA-26: Rep Elton Gallegly to Retire – Tony Strickland, Steve Bennett and Linda Parks to Run


    I was in Santa Fe, New Mexico at a funeral when I received notice that long-time Republican Congressman and friend, Elton Gallegly was releasing that he was retiring.

    When I was at Elton’s home a few weeks ago, I received the impression that this would be Elton’s choice. He did outlay the scenarios of re-election strategy, but I could see that his interests were elsewhere. He wants to start a new phase of his life – outside the Congress.

    And, who can blame him?

    Now, who will seek the seat?

    California State Senator Tony Strickland a conservative Republican has informally announced his candidacy, along with Democrat Ventura County Supervisor Steve Bennett (Ventura Ojai). Moderate Republican Ventura County Supervisor Linda Parks who represents the Thousand Oaks and Oak Park area has also informally announced her candidacy.

    Plus, there are some other lesser known Democrats: business man David Cruz-Thayne and Moorpark City Council member David Pollock.

    Remember the June primary election will be a top two process – whether it be Democrats or Republicans. Therefore, it is possible that the two Republicans Linda Parks and Tony Strickland could be running in the November general election.

    There will be a lot more later, since this seat will be one of the few contested California Congressional races this cycle.

  • Elton Gallegly

    Rep. Elton Gallegly and Friends Operation Toy Drop Deliver to Military Families on Sunday

    U.s. Rep. Elton Gallegly’s wife, Janice counts assembled toys at their Simi Valley residence for Sunday’s delivery by Santa

    And, Santa is arriving in an Air Force C-130.

    From the press release:

    In a community thank you to military families at Naval Base Ventura County, the U.S. Rep. Elton Gallegly and Friends Operation Toy Drop will once again present toys and food primarily to families who have a service member who has been deployed, is deployed or is scheduled to be deployed.

    When: Sunday, Dec. 4, 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m., Naval Base Ventura County, when Santa will arrive from the North Pole on an Air Force C-130 bearing gifts for the children. (Interested media are requested to call Vance Vasquez, Naval Base Ventura County Public Affairs Office, at (805) 989-8095 by COB on Thursday Dec. 1.)

    And, Rep. Gallegly, his friends and family will distribute:

    • Approximately 500 bicycles, battery-operated quads, and tricycles
    • Approximately 750 age- and gender-appropriate gift bags with toys and/or sporting goods

    In addition, food to be distributed on another date will include:

    • 400 hams
    • 400 Marie Callender’s pies
    • 2,000 pounds of potatoes

    Unfortunately, I will not be able to attend, since I will be in Las Vegas running the Las Vegas Rock’n’Roll Half Marathon. But, this will be a fine event.

    I want to thank the Congressman and his wife, Janice for showing me around their home last Saturday.

    And, the big exit question: Will Rep. Gallegly be running for re-election next year? If so, then which Congressional District?

    This was discussed, but will have to wait for another post  – I don’t want to detract from Santa’s arrival.

  • Elton Gallegly

    Rep. Elton Gallegly and Friends Operation Toy Drop 2011 Edition

    Rep. Elton Gallegly lends a hand as the non-profit group For the Troops packs its 25,000th package for military men and women deployed overseas, October 2010.
    Photo Credit Elton Gallegly’s Facebook.

    From the press release:

    In a community thank you to military families at Naval Base Ventura County, the U.S. Rep. Elton Gallegly and Friends Operation Toy Drop will once again present toys and food primarily to families who have a service member who has been deployed, is deployed or is scheduled to be deployed.Media will have three opportunities to cover the events:

    • Saturday, Nov. 26, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the home of Elton and Janice Gallegly in Simi Valley, when about 30 volunteers will package 3,500 toys and sporting goods into 750 age- and gender-appropriate gift bags.
    • Saturday, Dec. 3, Time TBD, Simi Valley to Navy Base Ventura County,  when Navy personnel will transport the bicycles, tricycles, battery-operated quads and gift bags to Navy Base Ventura County
    • Sunday, Dec. 4, 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m., Naval Base Ventura County, when Santa will arrive from the North Pole on an Air Force C-130 bearing gifts for the children. (Interested media are requested to call Vance Vasquez, Naval Base Ventura County Public Affairs Office, at (805) 989-8095 by COB on Thursday Dec. 1.)

    And, why?

    To thank those families who also sacrifice when their loved one is deployed to protect all of us Americans.

    What a worthy charity.

    So what will be distributed?

    •  Approximately 500 bicycles, battery-operated quads, and tricycles
    • Approximately 750 age- and gender-appropriate gift bags with toys and/or sporting goods

    In addition, on Saturday, Dec. 3, food to be distributed will include:

    • 400 hams
    • 400 Marie Callender’s pies
    • 2,000 pounds of potatoes

    For more information, media can contact Tom Pfeifer, thomas.pfeifer@verizon.net

  • Barack Obama,  Benjamin Netanyahu,  Elton Gallegly

    Rep. Elton Gallegly: Our Friends in Israel Deserve Better

    Rep. Elton Gallegly (R-Camarillo) and Romanian Minister of Defense Ioan Micrea Pascu

    My Congressman, Elton Gallegly has criticized President Obama regarding his recent comments about Israeli Priminister Benjamin Netanyahu.

    Sometimes an overheard comment sheds some light on the truth. That certainly was the case at the G-20 economic meeting in France recently when French President Sarkozy and President Obama discussed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

    “I cannot stand him. He is a liar,” Sarkozy said of Netanyahu. In apparent agreement, Obama replied, “You’re fed up with him, but I have to deal with him every day.”

    While the French and American presidents have previously and repeatedly voiced their strong support and friendship for Israel while in public, their candid comments, which they thought were private, make you wonder about their own veracity, if not their hypocrisy.

    The Sarkozy and Obama comments also make you wonder: If they don’t like working with Israel’s prime minister, which world leaders do they like? The Palestinian’s Abbas? Russia’s Putin? Syria’s Assad? Or Iran’s Ahmadinejad? Do Sarkozy and Obama think these leaders are more honest than Benjamin Netanyahu, who won his office in a fair and open democratic election?

    Gallegly has a point, no?

  • CA-26,  Elton Gallegly,  Steve Bennett,  Tony Strickland

    CA-26: Ventura County Supervisor Steve Bennett to Announce Candidacy for Congress

    Today, Ventura County Supervisor Steve Bennett, a former Ojai High School teacher and administrator will announce he will run for Congress next year. The Ventura County Star has the full story.

    Ventura County Supervisor Steve Bennett has scheduled a speech at Patagonia headquarters at noon today at which he is expected to announce he will be a candidate for Congress next year.

    Bennett, a Democrat, is scheduled to speak with employees of the renowned Ventura-based outdoor gear company, and sources close to the supervisor said this morning he will make his announcement at that time.

    The announcement will end months of intense speculation as Bennett, who will be forced to end his service on the Board of Supervisors, has weighed the pros and cons of staking his political future on a run for the new 26th Congressional District seat.

    He will join Moorpark City Councilman David Pollock and Westlake Village businessman David Cruz Thayne as announced Democratic candidates in the race, which is expected to be highly competitive and attract national attention as one of the nation’s key congressional battlegrounds in 2012.

    No Republican has yet announced, as potential candidates await an announcement from Rep. Elton Gallegly of Simi Valley as to whether he will choose to seek a 14th term by running in that district.

    Bennett will likely face off against either incumbent GOP Rep. Elton Gallegly or GOP California State Senator Tony Strickland.

    My bet, although it is not the conventional wisdom, is that Gallegly will be running against Bennett come November 2012.

    Here are the demographics of the 26th Congressional District:

    And, how the CD performed:

    This race may very well be a key national battleground with a very competitive Congressional District. I look for an expensive campaign easily into the $ millions.
  • Buck McKeon,  Elton Gallegly,  Tony Strickland

    CA-25: Rep. Elton Gallegly to Face Off Against Rep. Buck McKeon?



    California Congressional District 25

    As you recall, my GOP Congressman Elton Gallegly from Simi Valley was redistricted out of his current Congressional District 24 with the new census and by the work of the California Citizen’s Redistricting Commission.

    The CD boundaries exclude his home in Simi Valley which game the long time Representative options:

    Apparently, Elton has decided to run in CD-25 and run against a fellow Republican incumbent Congressman.

    The Antelope Valley Press last week reported last week that Congressman Elton Gallegly is either planning on retiring or running in CD25 against fellow Republican Buck McKeon. “‘As near as I can pin him, down, he’s running against me,’ said McKeon, who said he met with Gallegly last week.” This is consistent with what I’m hearing from locals as Gallegly isn’t sold on running in the Ventura’s CD26.

    This opens CD26 up for Republican candidates that have held back awaiting Gallegly’s decision. The most likely serious candidate is State Senator Tony Strickland.

    Here is the poop on CA-25:

    And, the demographics:

    It may very well be that Elton Gallegly would prefer to run against McKeon and if he wins represent a district where he lives, rather than a Ventura County seat. Maybe he has done polling and feels it will be an easier campaign. Frankly, I think Elton would have an easy time winning in CA-26.

    In any case, California State Senator Tony Strickland must be jumping for joy, since he will be the likely favorite in CA-26. But, CA-26 is a swing district and Strickland is not a sure bet. He will have to work to win – as will Gallegly against McKeon.

  • CA-24,  Elton Gallegly,  Tony Strickland

    CA-24: Rep Elton Gallegly Third Quarter Fundraising Report Reveals $800K Cash on Hand

    California Congressional District 24

    Third quarter fundraising reports are out and Rep. Elton Gallegly, my Congressman, reports over $823 K cash on hand.

    • Contributions: $229,221
    • Expenditures: $157,407
    • Cash on Hand: $823,988
    • Debt: $0

    Here are possible candidates, who may indeed challenge the long-time Republican incumbent.

    • Steve Bennett – Ventura County Supervisor (D), Ventura
    • Richard Francis – Former Ventura City Councilman (D)
    • David Pollock – Moorpark City councilman (D)
    • David Cruz Thayne – Westlake Village Businessman, tennis coach

    Here is the poop on the district:

    Gallegly saw his home drawn into Buck McKeon’s district, but he has represented Ventura County for years. With the additional of Democratic coastal communities in Ventura County added to this district and a resurgence of Democrats in the county this district is very competitive. Gallegly has been rumored to be retiring and this district may just push him over the edge. Democrats have 6-point registration advantage, Obama won this district by 16-points, but Brown lost it by 1-point. GOP state Senator Tony Strickland is looking at running here, though the district is competitive, there are no term limits.

    With this fundraising activity, Gallegly is not laying down or looking like a retirement is imminent. He is active in GOP circles in the district and is home most weekends. Elton would either have to live just outside the district or move a few miles to be within the CA-24 borders.

    However, he is widely know throughout Ventura County, having represented most of the CA-24 for decades.

    I look for Elton to run for re-election, barring any health problems. If he doesn’t, look for California State Senator Tony Strickland to enter the race.