by Robert in Monterey [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

[courtesy of The California Majority Report]

New figures released by the Secretary of State show that the number of registered Democrats in key battlegrounds for legislative seats continues to soar while the number of Republicans registrants in these districts is sliding.

This boost in Democratic registration isn't simply a temporary lift propelled by interest in the February presidential primary. In every Assembly district in the state since the cutoff for registration for the February primary, Democratic registration has risen while Republican registration has declined. Overall, Democratic registration has inched up by .6 percent statewide. Meanwhile GOP numbers continue their free-fall, declining by .4 percent, in the period between January 22nd and April 4th.

That one percent swing could be critical in key legislative races around the state. And it's more bad news for the state's Republicans, who already are suffering from a poor candidate recruitment season and lackluster fundraising.

Donors take a hard look at these numbers when making decisions  about what close contests to plunge into with their support; these statistics make it an even more difficult sell for the GOP in what is shaping up to be a favorable Democratic climate because of top of the ticket races. That's especially true in legislative contests, where Independent Expenditures play a major role.

There's more...

[courtesy of The California Majority Report]

Calling it a "fatally flawed initiative that does not accurately reflect the state's partisan diversity and similarly prejudices minorities and Democrats registration by using a biased ranking system that ensures an increased number of Republican legislative seats," the State's Building and Construction Trades Council unanimously has voted to defeat the Schwarzenegger/Republican/Common Cause "Voters First" redistricting initiative.
 
Labor's vote is seemingly a warning shot to any Democrats that may be lured to endorse the initiative by good government groups. The signature gathering, as noted here, has been financed nearly exclusively by large Republican donors and Republican business groups.

The resolution is over the flip...

[courtesy of The California Majority Report]

With the defeat of Prop 93, it's open season for candidates for legislative seats up and down the state. It's critical to field Democrats in all the legislative districts, particularly in what's expected to be a banner year when Senator Obama or Senator Clinton tops the Presidential ticket. The deadline for paperwork to be received by the Secretary of State is March 12th.

All 80 seats are open in the Assembly. To file for State Assembly, read this.

Half of the State Senate is up for grabs. To file for State Senate, read this.

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

By Bill Cavala
A veteran of over 30 years in Sacramento

Today’s Contra Costa Times citing unnamed “observers”, fills in the blanks in the Governor’s claim that his redistricting initiative will make Legislative contests more “competitive”.

It could cost the Democrats six seats in the Assembly and two in the Senate, diluting Democratic control of the Legislature.

So why should Democrats support this change?

Republicans have about 34% of the state’s registration. Why not simply allocate them 27 seats (34%) of the Legislative seats. Start the Democrats with 36 seats (their proportionate share) and arrange the remaining 17 seats so the registration is equal to the two-party take (45-34). This would provide the Democrats with a 53 seat upside and only one Republican needed to pass the budget or raise taxes on multi-millionaires.

Republicans would need to win 14 of the 17 to control the Assembly – not an impossible job if they stop recruiting extremists whose views are at odds with the people.

I could accomplish this reform – sufficient competition to make both parties sweat blood – with only a few changes.