This is the other hotly contest Assembly District race and the more controversial of the two.  Its current officeholder is Assemblyman Anthony Adams who was the target of a failed recall effort.  There are six candidates vying for our votes.

This race is also “blessed” with a well financed RINO who, unlike Don Kurth, claims to be a Christian.  And this “Christian” (or Mormon in reality) along with his campaign consultant Chris Jones (sound familiar?), has conducted the most hate-filled, ugly campaign in San Bernardino County.  That candidate is, of course, Chris Lancaster, who has stooped to sending photographers to his opponents’ homes to film their young, underaged relatives, sponsoring an incredibly hateful video, and knowingly sending out lie-filled propaganda intended to induce and inspire bigotry and hatred among voters.  Needless to say, Lancaster is undeserving of your vote.

That leaves five other candidates:  Iver Bye, Ken Hunter, Tim Donnelly, Corey Calaycay and Anthony Riley.

As one site listed them today, Iver Bye, Ken Hunter and Tim Donnelly are third-tier candidates.  None of them have raised enough money to launch a serious campaign.  However, through a grassroots effort, any one of them could have been taken seriously, but they are not for various reasons.  In my book, the biggest reason is that like Lancaster, they all claim to be “Christians” but are about as Christian-like in their campaign activities as Bill Clinton.  I see a lot of hate and a lot of dishonesty in their campaigns.  And I see very little difference between them and the establishment they claim they are fighting.

That leaves Anthony Riley and Corey Calaycay.  I seriously like both of these guys.  What is funny is that Ken Hunter had my vote and totally blew it with his hate tactics and lies toward Anthony Riley.   I originally posted an item about Anthony as a “gotcha” to one of his supporters.  I did not know Anthony—had met him briefly at a Central Committee meeting last year—and would have never have considered voting for him if it hadn’t been for Hunter’s personal attacks that caused me to take a closer look.  As it turns out, I really like Anthony.  I’m amazed at some of the things his opponents have attacked him for, such as skipping an election stop to visit a very ill friend in the hospital, or having a foster son, or taking care of his aging mother.  Unlike his “Christian” opponents, Anthony walks the walk and I repect that.  Unlike those others with their self-righteous platitudes, Anthony is the real deal.

And then there is Corey Calaycay.  I met Corey and his brother at the San Bernardino County Fair when I was working the Republican Voter Registration booth.  My impression before having the chance to spend some time with him was that he was just another slick politician.  But I realized there is a lot of substance there.  He has been attacked by the Lancaster campaign and other factions similarly to Anthony over family priorities.  As a city councilman, Corey has experience working in government that is missing in many of the candidates.

I really wish Anthony and Corey were running in different districts as both would make outstanding assemblymen.  Either would represent us well.  However, in the end my vote goes to Anthony for several reasons.  First, it keeps the 59th Assembly District in San Bernardino County.  Second, I think I have a better feel for Anthony’s sense of integrity and ethics.  And finally, he is endorsed by both the Howard Jarvis Taxpayer’s Association and the Atlas PAC/Mike Schroeder, the group that attempted the Anthony Adams recall.  Those are very big endorsements that say a lot about Anthony’s feelings towards taxes and other fiscal issues.

And I will add, contrary to his opponents’ claims, Anthony voted for Prop. 8 and is a pro-family values candidate.