June 07, 2006

By Ed Bentley

Senator Jackie Speier (D) received a devastating blow yesterday - she lost the Democratic primary for lieutenant governor for the State of California..

Her loss was welcome news for California homeowners.

They had asked her on numerous occasions to investigate the abuses of insurance companies in homeowner associations.

She was chair of the insurance committee.

She refused - declaring that she "had other priorities."

During the campaign, her opponent, John Garamendi (D) charged:

"Jackie Speier takes hundreds of thousands in contributions from insurance companies and Enron - at least $264,247 from insurance companies. No wonder consumer groups say she refused to hold corporate criminals accountable ...calling her soft on corporate crimes"

She asserted in her campaign:

"To know what I will do, look at what I have done"

Homeowners did just that and she lost.

California homeowners had little else to celebrate as it was largely a game of musical chairs..

Bill Lockyer (D), attorney general ran for treasurer.

John Garamendi (D), insurance commissioner, ran for lieutenant governor.

Chris Bustamente (D), lieutenant governor, ram for insurance commissioner.

Phil Angelides (D), treasurer, ran for governor.

So far none of these have shown any interest in the cause for the homeowners who live in homeowner associations.

Maybe Speier's loss will convince them that it it not politically wise to ignore the homeowners for too long.


CALIFORNIA STATE EXECUTIVE CONTESTS - DEMOCRATIC AND REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES

(Stateide results June 7, 2006 - 99.9 % of prescincts reporting - 27.9% Voter turnout)

Governor; Democratic Party
Phil Angelides .......... 979,410 votes 47.9%
Steve Westly .......... 888,512 votes 43.4%

Governor; Republican Party
Arnold Schwarzenegger .......... 1,391,225 votes 89.9%

Lieutenant Governor; Democratic Party
John Garamendi .......... 869,217 votes 43.4%
Jackie Speier .......... 772,189 votes 38.6%
Liz Figueroa .......... 362,508 votes 18%

Lieutenant Governor; Republican Party
Tom McClintock .......... 1,419,910 votes 93.7%
Tony Farmer .......... 96,154 votes 6.3%

Secretary of State; Democratic Party
Debra Bowen .......... 1,080,046 votes 60.9%
Deborah V. Ortiz .......... 694,430 votes 39.1%

Secretary of State; Republican Party
Bruce McPherson .......... 1,285,221 votes 100%

Controller; Democratic Party
John Chiang .......... 941,222 votes 53%
Joe Dunn .......... 836,553 votes 47%

Controller; Republican Party
Tony Strickland .......... 552,332 votes 40.2%
Abel Maldonado .......... 509,345 votes 37.1%
Jim Stieringer .......... 173,095 votes 12.6%
Bret R. Davis .......... 76,370 votes 5.5%
David L. Harris .......... 63,891 votes 4.6%

Treasurer; Democratic Party
Bill Lockyer .......... 1,698,011 votes 100%

Treasurer; Republican Party
Claude Parrish .......... 738,288 votes 56.1%
Keith S. Richman .......... 578,650 votes 43.9%

Attorney General; Democratic Party
Jerry Brown .......... 1,258,077 votes 62.9%
Rocky Delgadillo .......... 745,102 votes 37.1%

Attorney General; Republican Party
Chuck Poochigian .......... 1,259,485 votes 100%

Insurance Commissioner; Democratic Party
Cruz M. Bustamante .......... 1,349,277 votes 70.4%
John Kraft .......... 569,153 votes 29.6%

Insurance Commissioner; Republican Party
Steve Poizner .......... 1,233,284 votes 100%

State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Jack O'Connell .......... 1,710,065 votes 52.1%
Sarah L. Knopp .......... 568,899 votes 17.3%
Diane A. Lenning .......... 467,856 votes 14.2%
Daniel L. Bunting .......... 280,874 votes 8.5%
Grant McMicken .......... 259,800 votes 7.9%