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California Republicans Hold Legislative Democrats Accountable

 

Innovative Tactics and Teamwork Change the Game in Sacramento

 

California Republican legislative and party leaders won a significant victory for public safety – despite their super-minority status in the State Assembly.  Their coordinated actions provide an example of how the California GOP can effectively impact policy and improve lives for all Californians.

Assembly Bill 379, which seeks to curb sex trafficking by, in part, increasing the penalty from a misdemeanor to a felony for soliciting 16- or 17-year-olds for sex, was heard in the Assembly’s Public Safety Committee on April 29. There, the Democratic members argued that increasing this penalty would disproportionately harm Black, Brown, and LGBTQ+ communities, and they successfully stripped the provision from the bill. The California Republican Party’s communications team was present in the hearing room and live-posted video clips throughout, showing Californians the Democrats’ misguided policies—in their own words.

Then, on Thursday, May 1, the Assembly Republican Caucus dramatically brought AB 379, with an amendment to reintroduce the felony penalty, to a vote of the full Assembly. After a heated debate, nearly every Democratic Assemblymember voted against it. Once again, the California Republican Party’s communications team live-posted video clips of Republican members fighting to protect children and Democrats choosing politics over people. That afternoon, California Republican Party Chairwoman Corrin Rankin challenged the team to go big in holding Democrats accountable.

The next day, Friday, the Party’s communications shop had an approved script for a “They Not Like Us” video ad campaign. By Saturday, the team had recruited three teenage girls ages 16- and 17 to go on camera and call out the Democrats. On Sunday, the team recorded 54 video variations, one for each Democratic Assemblymember who voted against AB 379. Then, at noon on Tuesday, Sacramento’s NBC affiliate KCRA broke the story through its political reporter Ashley Zavala, and CAGOP began publishing the video ads.

From May 6 to May 14, the CAGOP communications team published 27 of the videos across X, Instagram, Facebook, and used the campaign to launch Party’s presence on Bluesky, the Democrats’ alternative to the Musk-owned X. The campaign targeted Democratic Assemblymembers throughout the state, including many in safe seats who are not used to being held accountable for their votes.

Then, on May 15, Democrats reintroduced AB 379 with the increased penalties for solicitation on the Assembly floor for a full vote, where it passed. It’s now headed to the State Senate and, eventually, Governor Newsom, who has publicly said he will sign it. If the Senate doesn’t pass it or the Governor doesn’t sign it, they know they will be held accountable.

This effort was made possible by the overwhelming and persistent campaign led by the California Republican Party and the Assembly Republican Caucus. They deserve the gratitude and support of all Californians.

California Republicans Hold Legislative Democrats Accountable

 

Innovative Tactics and Teamwork Change the Game in Sacramento

California Republican legislative and party leaders won a significant victory for public safety – despite their super-minority status in the State Assembly.  Their coordinated actions provide an example of how the California GOP can effectively impact policy and improve lives for all Californians.

Assembly Bill 379, which seeks to curb sex trafficking by, in part, increasing the penalty from a misdemeanor to a felony for soliciting 16- or 17-year-olds for sex, was heard in the Assembly’s Public Safety Committee on April 29. There, the Democratic members argued that increasing this penalty would disproportionately harm Black, Brown, and LGBTQ+ communities, and they successfully stripped the provision from the bill. The California Republican Party’s communications team was present in the hearing room and live-posted video clips throughout, showing Californians the Democrats’ misguided policies—in their own words.

Then, on Thursday, May 1, the Assembly Republican Caucus dramatically brought AB 379, with an amendment to reintroduce the felony penalty, to a vote of the full Assembly. After a heated debate, nearly every Democratic Assemblymember voted against it. Once again, the California Republican Party’s communications team live-posted video clips of Republican members fighting to protect children and Democrats choosing politics over people. That afternoon, California Republican Party Chairwoman Corrin Rankin challenged the team to go big in holding Democrats accountable.

The next day, Friday, the Party’s communications shop had an approved script for a “They Not Like Us” video ad campaign. By Saturday, the team had recruited three teenage girls ages 16- and 17 to go on camera and call out the Democrats. On Sunday, the team recorded 54 video variations, one for each Democratic Assemblymember who voted against AB 379. Then, at noon on Tuesday, Sacramento’s NBC affiliate KCRA broke the story through its political reporter Ashley Zavala, and CAGOP began publishing the video ads.

From May 6 to May 14, the CAGOP communications team published 27 of the videos across X, Instagram, Facebook, and used the campaign to launch Party’s presence on Bluesky, the Democrats’ alternative to the Musk-owned X. The campaign targeted Democratic Assemblymembers throughout the state, including many in safe seats who are not used to being held accountable for their votes.

Then, on May 15, Democrats reintroduced AB 379 with the increased penalties for solicitation on the Assembly floor for a full vote, where it passed. It’s now headed to the State Senate and, eventually, Governor Newsom, who has publicly said he will sign it. If the Senate doesn’t pass it or the Governor doesn’t sign it, they know they will be held accountable.

This effort was made possible by the overwhelming and persistent campaign led by the California Republican Party and the Assembly Republican Caucus. They deserve the gratitude and support of all Californians.

LIST OF UPCOMING GOP EVENTS

View more details for events on the Calendar of Upcoming Events or view the Monthly Calendar of Events.

Peter Verbica: Financial Planner, Community Leader, Author, Candidate for Congress

by Roger Riffenburgh

Silicon Valley businessman Peter Coe Verbica brings leadership and financial expertise to his campaign for the 19th Congressional District.

Managing Director at Silicon Private Wealth, he worked previously as a Chief Financial Officer in the technology industry.  His professional background includes real estate, law, and investment banking.  He taught as an Adjunct Associate Professor in the Economics Department at San Jose State University.  He is the author of Hard-Won Cowboy Wisdom as well as several collections of short stories and poetry.

Among Peter Verbica’s priorities are to: 1) cut red tape and fees to lower housing costs, 2) lower food costs by providing water to farmers, 3) address the CA insurance crisis to help homeowners,  4) bring back jobs by restoring our business climate, and 5) reform and streamline immigration to help farmers and tech companies.

As a political leader, Verbica has risen rapidly.  After leading its local chapter SPARC, he served as president of the California Congress of Republicans, a statewide volunteer organization.   In 2022, he ran for the state Board of Equalization, getting over 900,000 votes and earning a spot in the top two by defeating the scion of one of San Francisco’s most prominent Democratic families.  From 2023-24 he served as the Chair of the Santa Cruz County Republican Central Committee.

Peter has an extensive record of community service.  As a volunteer, he has actively supported schools, military service men and women, youth ballet, the symphony, Asian-American culture, and California State Parks. His volunteer activities have been recognized by Rotary International, DeAnza College, the City of San Jose, and Bank of America.

Congressional District 19 runs from South San Jose south over the coastal mountains to Santa Cruz and down the coast to Paso Robles.  It contains portions of Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Monterey, and San Luis Obispo Counties.  The incumbent is Democrat Jimmy Panetta, who benefits from the name of his father, Leon Panetta, who was elected nine times to Congress and served in both the Clinton and Obama administrations.

Peter Verbica grew up on a cattle ranch in the hills of Northern California, where he learned a strong work ethic and an appreciation for the land. He graduated from Bellarmine College Preparatory in San Jose. He earned his BA in English at Santa Clara University, a JD from Santa Clara University School of Law, and an MS in Real Estate Development at MIT.

His family donated the heart of Henry W. Coe, Jr. State Park, which is now California’s second largest state park. It’s located in the hills east of Morgan Hill and is named after Peter’s great grandfather.

Peter is an unabashed advocate of cowboy culture and enjoys creative writing, hiking, and tennis. He is married to his wife Tiffany, whom he met playing tennis.  He has four adult daughters who have pursued careers in both private sector and public service.  You can learn more about Peter Verbica’s campaign on his campaign website, PeterVerbica.com.

California Citizens Redistricting Commission – District Viewer

The Commission has developed a district viewer that allows you to more easily navigate visualizations and zoom in and out of geographic areas while layering congressional, State Senate and Assembly boundaries.

District Viewer Tool

 Peter Verbica: Financial Planner, Community Leader, Author, Candidate for Congress

by Roger Riffenburgh

Silicon Valley businessman Peter Coe Verbica brings leadership and financial expertise to his campaign for the 19th Congressional District.

Managing Director at Silicon Private Wealth, he worked previously as a Chief Financial Officer in the technology industry.  His professional background includes real estate, law, and investment banking.  He taught as an Adjunct Associate Professor in the Economics Department at San Jose State University.  He is the author of Hard-Won Cowboy Wisdom as well as several collections of short stories and poetry.

Among Peter Verbica’s priorities are to: 1) cut red tape and fees to lower housing costs, 2) lower food costs by providing water to farmers, 3) address the CA insurance crisis to help homeowners,  4) bring back jobs by restoring our business climate, and 5) reform and streamline immigration help farmers and tech companies.

As a political leader, Verbica has risen rapidly.  After leading its local chapter SPARC, he served as president of the California Congress of Republicans, a statewide volunteer organization.   In 2022, he ran for the state Board of Equalization, getting over 900,000 votes and earning a spot in the top two by defeating the scion of one of San Francisco’s most prominent Democratic families.  From 2023-24 he served as the Chair of the Santa Cruz County Republican Central Committee.

Peter has an extensive record of community service.  As a volunteer, he has actively supported schools, military service men and women, youth ballet, the symphony, Asian-American culture, and California State Parks. His volunteer activities have been recognized by Rotary International, DeAnza College, the City of San Jose, and Bank of America.

Congressional District 19 runs from South San Jose south over the coastal mountains to Santa Cruz and down the coast to Paso Robles.  It contains portions of Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Monterey, and San Luis Obispo Counties.  The incumbent is Democrat Jimmy Panetta, who benefits from the name of his father, Leon Panetta, who was elected nine times to Congress and served in both the Clinton and Obama administrations.

Peter Verbica grew up on a cattle ranch in the hills of Northern California, where he learned a strong work ethic and an appreciation for the land. He graduated from Bellarmine College Preparatory in San Jose. He earned his BA in English at Santa Clara University, a JD from Santa Clara University School of Law, and an MS in Real Estate Development at MIT.

His family donated the heart of Henry W. Coe, Jr. State Park, which is now California’s second largest state park. It’s located in the hills east of Morgan Hill and is named after Peter’s great grandfather.

Peter is an unabashed advocate of cowboy culture and enjoys creative writing, hiking, and tennis. He is married to his wife Tiffany, whom he met playing tennis.  He has four adult daughters who have pursued careers in both private sector and public service.  You can learn more about Peter Verbica’s campaign on his campaign website, PeterVerbica.com.

LIST OF UPCOMING GOP EVENTS

View more details for events on the Calendar of Upcoming Events or view the Monthly Calendar of Events.

California Citizens Redistricting Commission – District Viewer

The Commission has developed a district viewer that allows you to more easily navigate visualizations and zoom in and out of geographic areas while layering congressional, State Senate and Assembly boundaries.

District Viewer Tool
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