Politics, Government & Business in California's Inland Empire
By David Allen | dallen@scng.com | Inland Valley Daily Bulletin
Published: November 11, 2018 at 10:00 am | Updated: November 11, 2018 at 10:01 am
The blue wave, teal ripple, purple eddy or whatever combination color/water feature we saw at the national level promises divided government, which is often the best kind.
By Brian Whitehead | bwhitehead@scng.com | San Bernardino Sun
Published: November 9, 2018 at 4:53 pm | Updated: November 9, 2018 at 4:54 pm
San Bernardino Councilman John Valdivia still leads incumbent Mayor Carey Davis in the race for the city’s top elected position, unofficial Election Day results updated Friday, Nov. 9, show.
By David Downey | ddowney@scng.com | The Press-Enterprise
Published: November 7, 2018 at 6:05 pm | Updated: November 7, 2018 at 7:05 pm
Voters in several Inland communities appeared to say Tuesday, Nov. 6, that they are ready to welcome the marijuana industry — and especially to tax it — with the notable exception of Hemet.
Jim Erwin
Sunday, November 4, 2018 – 12:30 p.m.
Now that I finally have some time to do some writing on politics, let’s get to it!
I prefer to render political observations after taking in data from a broad spectrum of sources and feedback. Two years ago it had become pretty clear to me in the final four weeks leading up to the presidential Election that Donald Trump would prevail.
By Jeff Horseman | jhorseman@scng.com | The Press-Enterprise
Published: November 1, 2018 at 2:51 pm | Updated: November 1, 2018 at 11:44 pm
For Chris Mann, the June primary results in California’s 8th Congressional District played out perfectly, when two GOP candidates, incumbent Paul Cook and challenger Tim Donnelly, finished first and second.
Jim Erwin
Tuesday, August 14, 2018 – 09:00 p.m.
The main stream media says one thing. But voters are saying something different.
Sunday, July 29, 2018 – 07:00 p.m.
Speaking of painting a bullseye on one’s forehead
Former Superior Court Judge and Ontario politico Gus Skropos is making waves, threats, or signals, depending on how one wants to interpret it, that he might run yet again for a seat on the Ontario City Council.
By Jeff Horseman | jhorseman@scng.com | The Press-Enterprise
Published: July 20, 2018 at 10:46 am | Updated: July 20, 2018 at 6:20 pm
The head of the San Bernardino County elections office is out with about 110 days to go until the November election, but not before raising concerns about what he said was the county’s aging voter system, potential cybersecurity issues related to the office’s website and lack of staff.
Capitol Alert
The go-to source for news on California policy and politics
By Taryn Luna
tluna@sacbee.com
Published: July 09, 2018 – 05:16 PM
Updated: July 18, 2018 – 01:26 PM
The California Supreme Court ruled Wednesday in favor of opponents of a plan to divide California into three, saying the measure should not appear on the November ballot.
By James Folmer, Editor
Highland Community News
Jun 13, 2018 / Updated Jun 13, 2018
The Highland City Council approved five resolutions Tuesday night to set in motion the Nov. 6 vote on the Harmony housing project and to elect two council members.
Friday, June 2015 – 10:00 a.m.
Last Modified: Friday, June 15, 2018 – 07:40 p.m.
A couple June 5 election losses in San Bernardino County surprised political onlookers, who expected different results.
By Brian Whitehead | bwhitehead@scng.com | San Bernardino Sun
Published: June 14, 2018 at 5:14 pm | Updated: June 14, 2018 at 5:32 pm
A political action committee in Colton led by cannabis activist and real estate developer Stephanie Smith has submitted more than 2,800 signatures from registered voters who favor the regulation and taxation of commercial cannabis in their city, according to the committee’s attorney.
By Mark Sherman
The Associated Press |
Published: June 11, 2018 at 10:24 am | Updated: June 11, 2018 at 10:24 am
WASHINGTON — States can target people who haven’t cast ballots in a while in efforts to purge their voting rolls, the Supreme Court ruled Monday in a case that has drawn wide attention amid stark partisan divisions and the approach of the 2018 elections.
By Joe Nelson | jnelson@scng.com | San Bernardino Sun
Published: June 6, 2018 at 7:08 pm | Updated: June 7, 2018 at 12:11 am
After 16 years, San Bernardino County has a new District Attorney – former prosecutor-turned criminal defense attorney Jason Anderson, whose narrow victory over incumbent Mike Ramos in Tuesday’s primary means he will assume office in January.
By Abbie VanSickle and Paige St. John
Jun 06, 2018 | 9:55 PM
As they poured millions of dollars into district attorney campaigns, New York billionaire George Soros and other liberal donors seemed poised for victory in California.
Opinion
By Lara Bazelon |
Published: June 1, 2018 at 6:00 pm | Updated: June 2, 2018 at 9:56 pm
On June 5, voters in San Bernardino County will head to the polls and decide whether to re-elect District Attorney Michael Ramos to his fifth term or replace him with challenger Jason Anderson, a former prosecutor in Ramos’ office who specialized in putting away child sex offenders. Anderson has also practiced law as a criminal defense attorney.
Sunday, June 3, 2018 – 08:00 a.m.
With just two days remaining until Election Day the contest for two seats on the San Bernardino County Supervisors is racing to the finish line.
Jim Erwin
Saturday, June 2, 2018 – 10:00 a.m.
Multiple sources say San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos isn’t in a good disposition with just three days until Election day.
Friday, June 1, 2018 – 09:30 a.m.
Another day and it’s another political mailer calling out the unethical conduct of San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos.
Saturday, May 26, 2018 – 07:30 p.m.
With just nine days remaining until Election day, a new political mailer has landed against four-term incumbent San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos.
IE Business Daily
May 26, 2018
The Ramos campaign appears to be panicking. No not Mike Ramos for District Attorney (whose reelection campaign is a basket case), but Supervisor James Ramos’ campaign for the 40th Assembly District.
By Joe Nelson | jnelson@scng.com | San Bernardino Sun
Published: May 22, 2018 at 7:21 pm | Updated: May 25, 2018 at 10:37 am
The race for Second District San Bernardino County Supervisor heated up Tuesday, with candidate and Assemblyman Marc Steinorth, R-Rancho Cucamonga, accusing his opponent, incumbent Supervisor Janice Rutherford, of vandalizing about a dozen of his campaign signs.
By Sandra Emerson | semerson@scng.com | Inland Valley Daily Bulletin
Published: May 24, 2018 at 2:28 pm | Updated: May 25, 2018 at 1:50 am
Adelanto voters on June 5 will decide who should fill the City Council seat formerly held by Councilman Jermaine Wright, who is facing federal bribery and arson charges.
By Shea Johnson, Staff Writer
Posted: May 22, 2018 at 5:42 PM
Updated: May 22, 2018 at 5:44 PM
SPRING VALLEY LAKE — Two weeks before the statewide primary election, two San Bernardino County District Attorney candidates were making last-minute pushes to appeal to voters. It’s officially a nonpartisan seat, but both found a responsive audience inside the Country Club here Tuesday.
By Jeff Horseman | jhorseman@scng.com | The Press-Enterprise
Published: May 22, 2018 at 3:28 pm | Updated: May 23, 2018 at 4:07 pm
The Inland Empire’s political past and present will clash in the June 5 primary for the 35th Congressional District.
By Jeff Horseman | jhorseman@scng.com | The Press-Enterprise
Published: May 21, 2018 at 4:41 pm | Updated: May 22, 2018 at 11:45 am
A congressman from Redlands serves for decades on Capitol Hill and rises to become chairman of the powerful House Appropriations Committee.
By Jordan Graham | jgraham@scng.com | Orange County Register
Published: May 18, 2018 at 5:38 pm | Updated: May 21, 2018 at 11:32 am
The tit-for-tat political attack ads between two Democratic congressional hopefuls suddenly disappeared from the web this week in the race to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Ed Royce. So did their intraparty mudslinging websites.
Friday, May 18, 2018 – 10:00 a.m.
Another mailer hitting San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos has dropped in voter mailboxes.
Thursday, May 17, 2018 – 11:00 p.m.
The battle between San Bernardino County Second District Supervisor Janice Rutherford and Assemblyman Marc Steinorth is flooding voter mailboxes.
By Joe Nelson | jnelson@scng.com | San Bernardino Sun
Published: May 15, 2018 at 5:37 pm | Updates: May 15, 2018 at 7:14 pm
San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos calls his challenger in the June 5 primary election a “puppet” — handpicked by his deep-pocketed adversaries he says are trying to “buy his office.”
Monday, May 14, 2018 – 10:00 p.m.
San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos takes the brunt of yet another negative political mailer calling into question his mismanagement of his agency.
Friday, May 11, 2018
A rebellion is taking place at the heart of the San Bernardino County Public Attorneys Association (SBCPAA), the group that includes about 300 County Deputy District Attorneys, Public Defenders and Child Advocate Attorneys over the union leadership’s decision to support embattled district attorney Mike Ramos for re-election.
Wednesday, May 9, 2018 – 11:15 a.m.
The campaign to unseat four-term District Attorney Mike Ramos continues on, with a new political hit mailer to voters highlighting Ramos’ inability to follow state law when it comes to filling out campaign finance and economic interest disclosure forms.
Saturday, May 5, 2018 – 01:45 p.m.
A local political action committee (PAC) is continuing to expose the ethical lapses, mismanagement and incompetence of San Bernardino County District Attorney Michael A. Ramos.
By IE Business Daily
May 5, 2018
The race for 2nd District County Supervisor is the most contentious election campaign in San Bernardino County (outside of District Attorney Mike Ramos’ disastrous reelection bid.)
Wednesday, May 2, 2018 – 04:30 p.m.
The questionable handling of child molestation cases within the Redlands Unified School District by San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos has emerged in the campaign to unseat the four-term incumbent.
Tuesday, May 1, 2018 – 09:00 a.m.
A new month brings a new political mailer in the heated race for San Bernardino County District Attorney.
Monday, April 30, 2018 – 09:00 p.m.
It’s never pleasant to take an endorsement away from any politician or candidate for office. I know because years ago I had to do it.
In my case it was former County Supervisor Jerry Eaves at the time.
By Shea Johnson, Staff Writer
Posted Apr 29, 2018 at 8:16 AM
Congressional races throughout California promise to be particularly interesting this year as the state has positioned itself as a key bulwark against the Trump administration.
Sunday, April 29, 2018 – 10:45 a.m.
It’s a rocky Spring for San Bernardino County Fourth District Supervisor Curt Hagman.
Sunday, April 29, 2018 – 10:15 a.m.
The union representing San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Deputies has launched a website targeting Second District Supervisor Janice Rutherford.
Friday, April 27, 2018 – 10:15 a.m.
As expected, incumbent San Bernardino County Second District Supervisor Janice Rutherford is starring at the possibility of looking for a private sector job in December.
Friday, April 27, 2018 – 10:00 a.m.
It’s been tough sledding on the money front for San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos in his bid for a fifth term in office.
Capitol Alert
The go-to source for news on California policy and politics
By Angela Hart
ahart@sacbee.com
April 25, 2018 – 08:00 PM
The two major Republican candidates in the race to succeed Gov. Jerry Brown are battling for second place to make the November runoff, while Democratic Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom has strengthened his lead, according to a new poll from UC Berkeley’s Institute of Governmental Studies.
Wednesday, April 25, 2018 – 10:15 a.m.
A political mailer supporting Attorney/Law Professor Jason Anderson for San Bernardino County District Attorney has hit the streets.
Monday, April 23, 2018 – 10:00 a.m.
A local political action committee (PAC) funded by local business owners set to oust incumbent San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos has now launched a website.
Friday, April 20, 2018 – 11:00 a.m.
A third campaign mailer opposing four-term incumbent San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos has hit mailboxes.
Thursday, April 19, 2018 – 08:30 a.m.
Incumbent San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos endured more fundraising pain on Tuesday evening.
Tuesday, April 17, 2018 – 09:30 a.m.
Members of the union representing San Bernardino County prosecutors, public defenders and child support lawyers have filed a petition to remove the group’s leadership from office over the endorsement and financial support given to incumbent District Attorney Mike Ramos.
Saturday, April 14, 2018 – 07:00 p.m.
The campaign to unseat four-term San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos has launched another salvo.
It’s the second in seven days.
By Jeff Horseman | jhorseman@scng.com | The Press-Enterprise
April 10, 2018 at 7:49 pm
A Riverside County supervisor must tell voters he was appointed, not elected, to his job, a county judge ruled Monday in a decision that figures to tweak the June 5 ballot.
Mary Plummer and Sandra Oshiro | April 11, 2018
Republican John Cox once more came in second to California gubernatorial frontrunner Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, in the latest Public Policy Institute of California survey released late Wednesday.
Wednesday, April 11, 2018 – 02:00 p.m.
HIGHLAND — A political action committee set on throwing San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos out of elected office has launched its first political mailer in the contest.
By Sarah D. Wire
Tuesday, April 10, 2018 – 9:33 a.m.
Gov. Jerry Brown on Tuesday endorsed Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s reelection bid.
Monday, April 9, 2018 – 09:00 a.m.
San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos is at it again.
He’s going to form another special unit to garner some free press and try and throw a lifeline to his reelection bid.
Shea Johnson, Staff Reporter
Sunday, April 8, 2018 – 06:22 a.m.
Mike Ramos, the San Bernardino County District Attorney, will announce on Monday a newly created prevention and intervention unit to act as the community outreach arm of his office, where he has been the top prosecutor since 2002.
By John Myers
Apr. 6, 2018 – 10:11 a.m.
California’s effort to get 16- and 17-year-olds to pre-register to vote has now enlisted 100,000 teenagers, according to information released on Friday by Secretary of State Alex Padilla.
Wednesday, April 4, 2018 – 02:00 p.m.
FRENCH VALLEY – The campaign to restore better accountability and greater ratepayer respect from the Eastern Municipal Water District is moving forward with “major momentum,” recall organizers report. A chief objective of an Inland Empire-based citizens’ organization spearheading the effort has identified the removal of board member Phil Paule as paramount. Paule, who also serves as a chief of staff to a San Bernardino County supervisor, is a longtime professional political operative with a questionable ethics record.
By Joe Nelson | jnelson@scng.com | San Bernardino Sun
Published: March 26, 2018 at 2:49 pm | Updated: March 26, 2018 at 3:16 pm
Former Colonies corruption case defendants are accusing San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos of being a sexual predator in a full-page political ad running in at least six local weekly newspapers.
Saturday, March 24, 2018 – 09:30 a.m.
Updated: Saturday, March 24, 2018 – 12:30- p.m.
San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos has resorted to embarking on a series of twenty second rants directed at his opponent and his opponent’s supporters. Some of the clips appear to have been cut after a red-faced Ramos had a few cocktails.
Thursday, March 22, 2018 – 10:00 p.m.
Updated: Saturday, March 24, 2018 – 12:45 p.m.
It didn’t take long for news of the frantic phone calls asking people to show up at a fundraising luncheon for embattled San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos to get out.
Sunday, March 18, 2018 – 01:30 p.m.
Someone is definitely having a good laugh at embattled San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos’ expense this weekend.
Joshua Stewart
March 15, 2018
After an extended deadline, 16 candidates have completed paperwork to run for an open seat in Congress, held by retiring Rep. Darrell Issa, making it the busiest race in the San Diego area.
Tuesday, March 13, 2018 – 11:30 a.m.
An Inland Empire political action committee has released information from a poll conducted in the San Bernardino County District Attorney race.
By Joe Nelson | jnelson@scng.com | San Bernardino Sun
March 12, 2018 at 6:00 am
For the better part of seven years, San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos would not comment publicly about the Colonies corruption case while it was pending.
Joe Turner
Tuesday, March 6, 2018 – 10:07 a.m.
San Bernardino Sun reporter Joe Nelson had an excellent piece about disgraced District Attorney Mike Ramos and the campaign by Jason Anderson to unseat him.
But Nelson buried the lead.
It isn’t until the sixth paragraph that he drops this little nugget:
By Joe Nelson | jnelson@scng.com | San Bernardino Sun
Published: March 5, 2018 at 4:44 pm | UpdatedD: March 5, 2018 at 5:07 pm
San Bernardino County District Attorney Michael A. Ramos said he knows that his strongest challenger in the June primary election is being funded heavily by the vindicated Colonies corruption case defendants and their supporters.
By Joe Nelson | jnelson@scng.com | San Bernardino Sun
Published: March 5, 2018 at 8:29 pm | Updated: March 5, 2018 at 9:00 pm
Assemblyman Marc Steinorth, R-Rancho Cucamonga, pulled candidacy papers Monday to run against incumbent San Bernardino County Supervisor Janice Rutherford, said Melissa Eickman, spokeswoman for the Elections Office of the Registrar of Voters.
Patrick McGreevy
By Patrick McGreevy
Monday, March 5, 2018 – 12:40 p.m.
California’s campaign watchdog agency last year approved a record 340 settlements of cases involving violations of ethics and political finance rules, according to its annual report issued Monday.
Joe Turner
Monday, March 5, 2018 – 11:45 a.m.
A credible source has told me that Assemblyman Marc Steinorth will most likely pull papers today to challenge Supervisor Janice Rutherford. It isn’t a matter of if he will pull, but when.
By Jeff Horseman | jhorseman@scng.com | The Press-Enterprise
Published: March 2, 2018 at 1:27 pm | Updated: March 2, 2018 at 3:46 pm
Inland Assemblyman Marc Steinorth has decided not to seek re-election, a decision that could affect the balance of power in Sacramento and the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors.
By Joe Nelson | jnelson@scng.com | San Bernardino Sun
Published: March 1, 2018 at 7:07 pm | Updated: March 1, 2018 at 7:11 pm
Vindicated Colonies corruption case defendants Jim Erwin and Mark Kirk have formed a political action committee to support “good government” candidates, including the challenger to incumbent District Attorney Michael A. Ramos, former prosecutor-turned-defense attorney Jason Anderson.
By Jim Erwin
Thursday, March 1, 2018 – 12:01 a.m.
The newly-formed Business Leaders for Fair & Ethical Government PAC has started it’s fundraising blitz heading into the June 5 California Primary Election.
By Jeff Horseman | jhorseman@scng.com | The Press-Enterprise
February 27, 2018 at 3:25 pm
Another election year, another comeback attempt for former Inland Rep. Joe Baca.
February 26, 2018
The four former defendants in last year’s Colonies Crossroads corruption trial have formed a political action committee to support candidates they believe will practice open government.
By Joe Nelson | jnelson@scng.com | San Bernardino Sun
February 24, 2018 at 8:00 am
Seeking his fifth term as San Bernardino County’s top prosecutor, District Attorney Michael A. Ramos is facing two challengers in this year’s election race.
By Jeff Horseman | jhorseman@scng.com | The Press-Enterprise
Published: February 19, 2018 at 4:28 pm | Updated: February 19, 2018 at 7:10 pm
The union representing Riverside County sheriff’s deputies has given at least $554,000 in direct and in-kind contributions to one of three candidates in the 2018 sheriff’s race, campaign finance records show.
Monday, February 12, 2018 – 10:00 a.m.
It’s finally here. The long-awaited filing period for the June 5, 2018 primary election is officially open.
By Jeff Horseman | jhorseman@scng.com | The Press-Enterprise
Published: February 9, 2018 at 6:47 pm | Updated: February 9, 2018 at 6:54 pm
San Bernardino County Supervisor James Ramos officially declared his candidacy Friday, Feb. 9, for the Inland state Assembly seat held by Rancho Cucamonga Republican Marc Steinorth.
Tuesday, February 6, 2018 – 12:00 p.m.
How does the saying go? Time heals all wounds.
Apparently that’s the case with the relationship between the San Bernardino County Public Attorney’s Association (SBCPAA), and both County Supervisor Janice Rutherford and District Attorney Mike Ramos.
By Joe Nelson | jnelson@scng.com | San Bernardino Sun
Published: February 5, 2018 at 5:29 pm | Updated: February 6, 2018 at 9:41 am
A member of the San Antonio Heights Association announced Monday he is running against incumbent Janice Rutherford for her seat on the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors.
Monday, February 5, 2018 – 11:00 a.m.
Rancho Cucamonga-based Attorney Jason Anderson has pulled initial papers to run for San Bernardino County District Attorney.
By Jeff Horseman | jhorseman@scng.com | The Press-Enterprise
February 3, 2018 at 8:58 am
And they thought passage was the hard part.
Almost a year after Democratic leaders and a coalition of business, local government and labor interests lobbied furiously to get a massive road-repair bill through the state Legislature, the same alliance is ready to defend a 12-cent-per-gallon increase in California’s gas tax that’s key to the bill’s aim of raising more than $50 billion over 10 years.
DeFazio said the business he ran prior to his arrest, Artisan Real Estate, went belly up.
“They made a lot of calls to my clients and told them I was a very bad person,” DeFazio said of district attorney investigators.
By Jim Erwin, InlandPolitics.com
Wednesday, January 31, 2018 – 01:00 a.m.
It’s well known that San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos has always had aspirations for higher office.
By Jim Erwin, InlandPolitics.com
Tuesday, January 30, 2018 – 09:00 p.m.
Jim Erwin of InlandPolitics.com will now be a guest on The Lou Desmond and Company Show each and every Wednesday from 5pm to 6pm.