The Antelope Valley Times

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UPDATED: Steve Fox wins Assembly seat! Smith seeking recount

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LANCASTER – The California Secretary of State has updated its website with the final vote counts, and Steve Fox has edged pass Ron Smith to claim the 36th Assembly District seat.

The final tally puts Fox at 66,005 votes (50.1%) to Smith’s 65,860 votes (49.9%), according to the California Secretary of State.

Smith told the Sacramento Bee on Sunday that he was seeking a recount because he believed a political group had learned how to “manipulate the election by playing with provisionals,” according to the Sacramento Bee report.

“No one, including myself or any consultant, could have conceived that I was over 3 percentage points ahead after the election…and now the provisionals came in… that it would overturn the (results). Mathematically, statistically that just doesn’t happen,” Smith told the Sacramento Bee.

UPDATED: 12/2 @ 10 pm: A press release from Steve Fox announcing his win:

Lancaster – Candidate for the 36th Assembly District, Steve Fox, announced Sunday he was notified that he won his bid for the assembly seat by a margin of 145 votes.

Fox said he received a telephone call from Assembly Speaker John A. Perez (D-Los Angeles) congratulating him on his victory.

Fox said he was “surprised” and “overwhelmed with gratitude to the voters” of his district.

An attorney and educator, Steve Fox ran for the seat in 2008 as a Republican and failed to gain sufficient voter support. Shortly after that election, Fox recognized that his beliefs regarding education, health care, worker equality, and economic protection for the middle class and poor were contrary to the platforms espoused by the Republican Party at the time.

He wrote and published an editorial explaining his decision to become a Democrat. The party embraced Fox and in 2012, he was named Democrat of the Year by the Los Angeles Democratic Party.

Fox said that the fact that his candidacy always focused on the economy likely resonated with voters.

“In the primary, I was the only candidate that presented a plan to fix our state’s economic problems. I continued to talk about my plan because I truly believe that jobs, education and personal success are the most important things that we could have talked about this year.”

Fox said he plans to draft legislation that will move his economic plan for success forward. “These were never empty promises,” Fox said. “The voters knew where I stood and they sent me here to help them. I know that some people may not have supported me, but I value every person in the 36th Assembly District and will not let them down.”

UPDATED: 12/3 @ 2:30 pm: Steve Fox takes oath as Assemblymember

SACRAMENTO – Steve Fox (D-Palmdale) was sworn in as the Assemblymember for the 36th Assembly District. The district encompasses the Antelope Valley, and includes the cities of Lancaster and Palmdale as well as the Los Angeles County communities of Quartz Hill, Acton, Little Rock, Baker, Lake Los Angeles, and Wrightwood and the Kern County communities of Rosamond, Mojave, Reefer City, North Edwards, Boron, and California City.

“I am honored and humbled that the voters have placed their trust in me,” said Fox. “Every day in office is a day that I will spend working hard on behalf of everyone in the district.”

“Our Valley has always had its challenges, but we have confronted them with common sense, resiliency, and perseverance,” Fox said. “I know we can recover. We can get people back to work and back into their homes.”

Fox, a local office holder, attorney and teacher, plans to focus extensively on restoring funding for education at all levels and improving the state’s economy.

“As a public school teacher for 10 years and having served on the Antelope Valley College Board of Trustees, I am very aware of what happens when schools are cut,” continued Fox. “It doesn’t just affect individual students—it cripples local economies. Education is the way forward locally and statewide.”

Fox was sworn in at noon today (Dec. 3) on the Assembly floor.

Fox has also created his legislative website. View it here.

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Filed Under: Politics

210 comments for "UPDATED: Steve Fox wins Assembly seat! Smith seeking recount"

  1. Don’t worry Ron someone still loves you. After all there are almost 150,000 people in Lancaster.

  2. Poor, poor Ron. One can say he never assessed his limitations. Others can say he trusted and sucked up to the bearded one for too long failing to realize the nature of the beast. I believe Ron is simply just plain lucky to have gotten as far as an imbecile can go.

    • I heard that the State Republican Party got tired of forking over $5K a day to realize no change was forthcoming. At least Ron Smith called Steve Fox to concede. At least he did ONE classy thing in this election…

  4. How could our local Republican leadership screw this up? Arrogance from our leadership is how and of course Ron himself who acts like we should bow down to him. Liberal spending of other peoples money is another one of Ron’s stealth leadership traits that came back to bite him.

    • Not to worry Ron. The obscure council election to be held in April 2014 where only 6,000 out of 73,ooo registered voters will cast votes will provide you a win even you can’t screw up. Your cult friends at the Antelope Valley Baptist Church along with your bearded white master will vindicate your stupidity and lessen the image you project as a loser.

      Actually you are a loser and so’s Rex. Niether of you could win an election in Lancaster where the plurality votes. If the votes cast in April ever exceed 10,000 you’ll move the election to Arbor Day to confuse everyone except the AVBC. Has it dawned on you yet you cannot win any election fairly.

  5. Hm. Fox went from an (R) to a (D). Ron Smith tries to go from an (R) to an (I). Unfortunately for Ron, for the rest of his political life, he will be Ron Smith (L)oser. Like the Republicans want to field him again in 2014? The guy who couldn’t beat Steve Fox? Not even Visco is THAT dumb!

  6. Run Ron. Take the closest on ramp to 14 west and run to I-5. Take a right and run headed north to. Grow your hair and take advantage of being a newly minted Independent. Up north you won’t have to pretend you were a law enforcement officer nor pretend you have an education. They don’t like cops anyway and most people are dumb, so you will fit in very well. You can fib all you want because up north everyone does so and no one checks the facts. You can be mean spirited and people will think you’re self-confident. You can say all the dumb things you want and they will just think you’re an obtuse intelectual. You will be regarded as being cool and people will like you.

    Run Ron! Ron Smith in 2014!

  7. To all you tea party republicans.

    I know it’s not fair but too bad. Y’all were never gonna vote for President Obama or other Democrats, so when others and I give you folks a hard time, it’s no skin off our noses. We don’t need your votes ‘no more’.

    But, the stupid republicans need to be ‘nice’ to minorities, women, gays, young people, etc., or they’ll never get their votes ever again.

    Like I said, it’s not fair. We don’t have to be nice to you and it doesn’t cost us anything but if you want to win elections, you better be nice.

    So, far, you guys haven’t been nice and you will continue to lose.

    So, knowing that, you’ll be pi**ed but who cares? It’s your problemo. Enjoy.

  8. Since nobody will say something nice about Ron Smith, then I will. Ron Smith is kinda of tall and does not smoke. He once sorta worked for the Sheriff’s Department. Ron Smith lives in Lancaster where it was once a nice place to live. Ron Smith speaks fluent english and sometimes even express a coherent thought. I’ve heard from a reliable source that Ron Smith is liked by some people. I have also heard from another reliable source that Ron Smith likes dumb animals and that he identifies with their plight.

    In the name of fairness and good will during the holidays, let us all reflect upon Ron Smith and find something nice to say.

  9. CONGRATULATIONS TO STEVE FOX! The “Car Wreck” Perris/Lancaster Baptist Cult/Tea Bagger power structure of Lancaster is starting to implode…at last! Next: Arnie Rodio will run for mayor again, since “Car Wreck” is at least smart enough to know that he can’t win another term. Hey, “Full Spin” Ron…you’re FINALLY out of the mix!

  10. Ron Smith got exactly what he deserved. He spent the entire campaign acting like the crown prince, refusing to debate or even meet with voters, because that was beneath him. Steve Knight came out all over to meet with voters, and his election was pretty much a sure thing, but Smith just acted like an entitled jerk.
    I guess no one has explained to him how unlikable he is. Now he’ll always be the guy who lost to Steve Fox, and that is pretty perfect. He’s already declared he’s going to run again in 2 years, but smart Republicans will oppose that.. I mean, he couldn’t beat Fox, the guy who ran for everything and mostly lost, do they think he can beat incumbent assemblymember Fox?
    Next time Lackey!

    • Your quite right. Smith, much like Perris, Crist and Johnson avoid debates like the plague. None of our “leaders” can think on their feet except for Perris and even he occassionally mixes his foot with his mouth. They slither and hide behind the dias and surround themselves with close associates to avoid questions and explanations. Is it a wonder why Smith refused to debate Assmblyman Fox. Read Smith’s resume which eludes to having an education. The man is as uneducated as he is foolish in what comes out of his mouth. I would like nothing more than to see Smith run again in two years. It would be like the perpetual joke that goes on supplying laughs.

    • Ever notice that “Full Spin” ron bears a striking resemblence to everyone that attends Lancaster Baptist Cult? It’s amazing.

  11. In today’s AV Press, the local, or is it ‘loco’ republican leadership such as it is, was trying to figure out why they lost.

    Duh. Nowhere did they notice how detested Ron Smith is in the area. I haven’t heard anyone say anything positive about Smith. I guess he was just a proxy NO vote for the republicans. What else are they about?

  12. Rex will need to bring in shills to split up enough of the vote to get Self-Recall Ron elected in 2014. It will also require more “extra” help than usual from the AVBC and our beloved city clerk who accounts for the absentee mail-in ballots. That is of course if the fearless baliff still serves a useful purpose to our illustrious mayor. Don’t blow it Council Member Ken Mann! CARRY REX’S BRIEFCASE PROUDLY, you too are on the road to greatness.

  13. @Fernando. Would you hurry up and move to Australia, if they’ll have you? The IQ of the U.S. will go up. And take some unhappy cons with ya.

    Maybe the dingos will eat you, baby.

    • In typical Lancasterian fashion, you blew the quote. It’s “The quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dog’s back 0123456789.” I learned this in typing class in high school, and used it for testing typewriters and teletype machines over the years. Why? It contains every letter in the alphabet.

      • What?

        cedarblok’s sentence incorporates every letter of the alphabet without extraneous words. Yours adds nothing more than an apostrophe, the numerical digits, and extra words/characters.

  16. As a life long Republican i have to admit that I too voted for Fox. I would have voted for Al Sharpton over that weasel Smith anyday. Now Parris can see the handwriting on the wall, arrogant POS.

      • Having these useless capons like Knight, George Runner and other republicans in Sacto didn’t do the 36th district much good, did it?

        We might get more attention and benefit from the Capital with a Democrat now that they have the super-majority.

        I’m sure the Democratic leaders will treat Steve Fox very well to keep him in office next time, don’t you think? If he accomplishes nothing, he’s out in 2 years.

        • Consider what will happen if Steve Fox produces more quality results and more of them in the next 2 years than Steve Knight.

          I know they are in different chambers but if the Democrats accomplish some major things with Steve on board, it will appear here and in the AV Press while the other Steve is in the super-minority and other than voting NO all the time, he’ll just be a seat warmer.

          Stay tuned.

        • Sure the Democraps in Sacramento will do wonders.

          Raise taxes in CA even higher.

          Give drivers licenses to illegals.

          Increase spending even more than they do now.

          Fox will be fit right in with the more spending.

          • California became one of the 5th or 6th largest economies in the world BY ITSELF, with those dreaded Democrats running the legislature all these years.

            California is a donor state, sending more tax money to D.C. than it gets back in benefits.

            On the other hand, many of the red, right-to-work, low wage, low benefit, low quality of life backwasswards are welfare states sucking more money from D.C. than they send in taxes. Yet, they are the loudest and most ungrateful complainers.

            And, you have the brains of someone from one of those red welfare states.

            I wish our federal representatives in Congress, say like ol’ Buck, would put an end to that ‘redistribution of wealth’.

            Why don’t you and the other tea party republicans in California bitch about that? Do you even know about that? Ask Fernando, really, Tim B., Tina Marie. They are the AV ‘brain trust’ here.

          • Yep, good old commifornia; 8% of America’s population and 33% of America’s welfare recipients. With the Dems in total control watch the latter grow and grow.

          • @ William. What a lame attempt at symbolism. I take it you’re the one PRETENDING to ride a horse. Libs…pretend, pretend, pretend.

          • @Willard. You’re a stump with no arms and legs, unwilling to accept your fate, and you mocking me for pretending to ride a horse.

            I’ll take that scenario.

  17. Just read where Roger Ailes Of Fox News won’t be having Karl Rove and Dick Morris on as regular contributors any more.

    Poor Bill O’Reilly. They were his ‘expert analysts’ who blew calling the election really, really bad. Morris said it would be a Romney landslide, over 300 electoral college votes.

    I can tell that many of the foolish comments here are from people who get all their news from Fox, of the corrupt Rubert Murdoch company.

    I bet Fernando is watching Fox News right now to get the latest misinformation on ‘acts of terror’. He’ll be here soon with the ‘Fox Facts’.

    • WTH are you talking about??! It was the video!!!! That’s what that hot chick Hillary said!!!!

      • @Fernando. Keep watching Fox News and leave us grownups to talk.

        You go sit at the kid’s table.

        • WAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH….I WANT TO SIT WITH WILLIAM AND THE OTHER DEMS…..I LIKE HOW THEY TALK ABOUT OBAMA’S DECLARATION THAT IT WAS TERROR WHILE THEIR OTHER HEROS, LIKE HILLARY AND RICE, DISAGREE WITH OBAMA AND SAY IT WAS THE VIDEO!!! WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH

          • Keep beating that dead horse Fernando. No one on the left believe you or yours care about our embassies. If you did, you would of asked Bush about the 53 dead Americans at the 11 embassies under his watch. Or the millions in funding you all took away from embassy security LAST YEAR! YOUR GUYS! You’re nothing more than another uninformed hypocrite!
            All your saying is WAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH WAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH what can I scream about that man Obama? What will stick? My guy lost! WAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH! Gays! Gays everywhere! WAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH
            lololololololololololol!
            Kinda creepy that you find Hillary HOT! No judgement but damn!

          • So theo, seriously, what is your skewed lib reasoning for the administration’s two weeks of disagreement with Obama’s clear declaration of a terrorist act the day after it happened? I know, I know….I’m bitter….and you won’t answer that question. WAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH

          • Fernando Tell me what YOU have done to get YOUR GUYS to refund embassy security? (YOU don’t REALLY care about the dead, so we know what the answer is as you’re a hypocrite)
            And you won’t answer that question. WAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH

  18. I hope Rex’s former number 1 lap dog is not taking any of this to heart. I would hate to see him be placed on a suicide watch. It’s going to be hard enough for Ronny to watch Kenny Mann get the big pats on a head in the future and the meaty scraps off Rex’s plate.

    • It’s funny how even that photo of Smith says it all. You don’t even have to know what he’s said or done in the past.

      They say ‘you age with the face your deserve’. There was a Twilight Zone episode about that. Heirs to a rich guy had to wear masks till midnight to inherit the old guys estate but when they took them off, egads!, their faces resembled the masks.

  19. I neglected to add as a piece of good advice that I know you’re not a drunkard, but try the 12 step program anyway. It may make you a better person and more tolerable to be around.

  21. If Baliff Smith fears looking into the mirror then here’s some good advice. DON’T BOTHER. Read the comments in this forum expressing jubilation over your defeat and emberassment. The sentiments expressed concerning your arrogance, your pettiness, your all around meaness and of course your blatant dishonesty have come home to roost. And all those you have hurt in the past now rejoice with tremendous glee. Not one of the 127 posts I read thus far defend you Mr. Smith. At best there are a very few who make a sad attempt at mitigating your past behavior. Sad to say but your a mean one Mr. Smith. There are a few lessons you have not learned from the great bearded one. He at least draws boundries as to he hurts and it is all what profits him. You on the other hand, hurt people merely to feel better about yourself. You should have addressed your self-doubts and moral weaknesses some time ago. What’s left now is a clown. At least before you were simply despised. Now you are simply being laughed at. As a Republican I worked very hard to help Assemblyman Fox get elected and I know of several other good Republicans who worked equally as hard. Gee Ron, now why would someone do a thing like that.

    • Yeah, Good/BadRepublcian, I don’t recall anyone defending Smith or acknowledging voting for him.

      I wonder how the Rex will treat his…his…what’s the word….’boy’ now.

      This doesn’t help the Rex one bit. Now, Smith is dead weight on the council, and an anchor around the Rex’s neck.

      I hope some speakers mention the election at the next council meeting.

      • I ran into the worst mayor we ever had, “Bishop” ‘Enery ‘Oins, in a waiting room one day. Someone asked him if “Car Wreck” will run for yet another term. “Bishop ‘Oins” said, “Ah tink Rex is awl done.” It’s an open seat next election.

  23. Rex is no Yosemite Sam. He’s more like Elmer Fudd chasing Bugs Bunny thinking he can actually “kill da wabbit”. What’s sad is Self-Recall Smith is soon to be the object of Elmer Fudd’s frustration. First the failure of ridding Lancaster of undesirables, next the failure of the Blvd. and now…. Well let’s just say Kenn Mann is soon to be Rex’s Number #1 guy. Ron should have never tried to be something he did not have the capacity nor the aptitude of being. Delusional disorders lead to dissapointment.

    • And, here, I thought I was experiencing too much ‘schadenfreude’. I gotta keep up.

      The BLVD a failure???? Please explain. Rex said it would make Lancaster a ‘world class city’. Y’know like Paris, Rome, New York, Barstow……

      • Are you in love with Rex? You sure do spend allot of energy talking about him. Wouldnt your time be better spend helping homeless people in the AV?

  24. @Tim B. who asked for a link on a study of conservative vs liberal brains and when I provided it……………he disappeared and some other Tim B. started writing dumb comments.

    First he asked for a link, the research, who funded it, which university, etc.

    Then, with no research whatsoever, he puts forth his opinion that it’s the liberals who blah, blah, blah….

    I been through this before with conservatives and that’s why I wrote that I hate to provide links when they ask cause they ignore them preferring their own beliefs and opinions to research and science.

    Conservatives are proof that there is no ‘intelligent design’ and I doubt that they’ve evolved either.

  25. Baliff Smith will need to find new means by which to please the bearded one. Losers displease the alcalde and it appears Ronny Self-Recall is becoming the leper that no one wishes to be around. Ken Mann may finaly get to carry Rex’s brief case.

  26. Can we start referring to BeX as The Perris Hilton?

    Unless there’s a better place.

    I’m just in one of those moods.

    • Please try and remember that there are 200+ local businesses (including BeX)that reside on and around the BLVD that have NO vested interest in Rex and his associates. A lot of these businesses have been around since before Rex-ing ball came to power and hope to be around long after. The constant berating of the BLVD does no good; it hurts the community and only validates Rex’s actions on putting up another WalMart.
      Cities need tax revenues, businesses bring those revenues and WalMart brings those revenues in one easy to use package. If the BLVD can’t generate the revenue (a select few would rather trash it than support it) then you better enjoy shopping at WalMart for everything because that’s all that will be left.
      Your money votes just as loudly as your voice and for the most part that vote is for WalMart and against your community. So go harp your praise for the Great Democrat Domination of big business from one side of your mouth and then consume the products and services offered by them on the other. You are a hypocrite and not even good enough to be rewarded with the failure of the BLVD.

      • @Adam Chant, your energy would be better spent getting rid of Perris and people like Smith instead of trying to talk people into shopping where they don’t want to shop.

        If the BLVD was really well thought out, it wouldn’t need so much promotion from the city to make it work. If they don’t schedule a parade or event, the place is dead most days.

        Sometimes, after I’ve driven the BLVD and return home on Avenue K, I can tell there is more activity and energy at the businesses there for some reason. I realize it’s typically a busier thoroughfare but still, the ‘heart of the Valley’ isn’t that great a draw most of the time. Heck, most any successful shopping center in the Valley has more activity than the entire BLVD. It’s 1:00 PM on Tuesday and I bet the BLVD businesses
        during the Christmas season are almost empty right now.

        I’m guessing that Perris and others cause as much negative publicity for the BLVD and Lancaster as positive PR, if not more.

        Maybe, if they had Smith and Perris featured in a ‘dunking tank’ it would draw the crowds. I’d sure go.

        • William,

          What Adam is trying to convey is that people like you who claim to be big Democrats and liberals need to quit talking out of both sides of your mouth!

          You tell us how you vote Democrat and claim to be anti-corporate but you also bad mouth local small businesses just because they happen to be on the Blvd, which I find to be very hypocritical.

          If you have a problem with the businesses on the BLVD then dont shop there but please quit putting them down! Have you ever tried to run a small business William? Ask Assemblyman Steve Fox what it’s like! A little bit of sympathy goes a long way!

          • I’m not putting down the individual small businesses, just the questionable idea of what Parris and his cohorts have and are doing. The street doesn’t really match the bragging.

            I’ve patronized some businesses on the street since the early 90s.

            I’ve eaten at a 50s diner off the BLVD frequently since then. I used to avoid the early morning and noontime visits because it was so busy that it was harder to find an empty booth. But, since the BLVD was re-done, I haven’t seen it as busy since then. I wonder if the BLVD has affected their business.

            BeX, a brand new restaurant, had a ‘B’ grade the first year from the health department. The Yelp website had a lot of negative reviews about service/dirty restrooms/strange ordering procedures, etc. for a long time even though people liked some of the food. It was the Crown Jewel that Parris brags about. After a few visits, I quit going.

            BTW Tim, I’ve read many letters to the AV Press for the last 2 years from Lancaster residents criticizing the BLVD. It’s not only me.

            So, what about conservative brains being more fearful, Tim? You haven’t responded after you made a request for a link. Is that how you operate? You used the word ‘hypocrite’ to describe me but what about you?

          • Tell that to the Appliance guy who was run off the Blvd – guess he wasn’t selling trendy refrigerators even though he kept the ‘blvd’ alive for years by paying his taxes and selling things people needed.

            Wonder who ran off the Appliance guy?

            Democrats?

            lol

          • @Forward. Tim B. says the same counterproductive things like “If you have a problem with the businesses on the BLVD, then don’t shop there…” as those right wingers who say “If you don’t like the USA, leave” and they are the same ones who sign succession petitions. Same mentality.

            That attitude probably has a lot of other people not shopping there as well. Timbo doesn’t realize that the businesses on the BLVD probably like his saying that less than what I say.

            He’s so unwittingly unwitting. We try to school him here but he’s allergic to intelligence. When he uses the word ‘convey’ he thinks he’s using a big word.

          • @Adam and Tim. As a Democrat, I don’t shop at walley world. But because of Rex Parris arrogance, I have a hard time supporting any business on his blvd. So I understand what William is trying to say. Should the businesses suffer? No. But surely the businesses understood the bad vibes the Lancaster mayor generates and knew he would cost customers. Unless they live under a rock. Or were there before Rex became mayor. Q hill as been boycotting Lancaster since the Walmart deal. Are you suggesting this wasn’t known by businesses that are new?

        • Right, it has nothing to do with the businesses, but has a lot to do with the exclusion of the majority of the existing population in this area.

          The Righteous Rex persona dux gratis and his minions laid the law down from day one when he was elected that ONLY THEY would Reign over the little people, (the taxpayers) ; that they would exclude all those who were not of their social status (whatever that is); thus including only the IMPORTS from Orange, Co, Las Vegas Money-bags and the other pukes who invested in the mammoth developments – and built their Nirvana.

          Then the bottom fell out.

          If one builds a Utopia out of sand, the tide comes in eventually.

          What we’re seeing now is the residuals of their shallow greed.

          The crime, the cheap housing, the unbelievable loss of property values and the DEBT they ran up to build their empire is reflective on this website with constant stories about death, murder, destruction of property and suicides.

          With Income In-Equality and denial of access to education comes despair.

          Now those like ‘really’ and others want the exact people who were burned from these Elites to accept austerity measures and ‘ask for less’ — give more, and pay the bills they ran up.

          With what? Scalps from convenience stores?

          get real.

          • Sounds just like that national republican party.

            The 1% caused the crash, not the food stamp people, the unions, the teachers, the Social Security recipients and so on.

            But, the 1% together with the Fox/GOP crime organization want people like really to take it out of the hides of the poor, elderly, teachers, union members, etc.

            really and those like him don’t realize they are being used by the 1%/Fox/GOP to do the dirty work and pride keeps them from admitting it.

          • “… really and those like him don’t realize they are being used by the 1%/Fox/GOP to do the dirty work and pride keeps them from admitting it.”

            Oh, I think ‘really’ and his crowd know exactly what they’re doing, what their calling is, and how they, themselves *think* their agenda will eventually give them the means to which they can have it all.

            They’re called the Tea Party.

            There’s no innocence of thought here, is a very strategic plan which did not change with the election – rather it accelerated the plan.

  28. The biggest problem that I and other Republicans have with Ron Smith is that we can’t relate to him ON ANYTHING!

    He is a City councilman who moved to the AV at the right time and joined the right party at the right time and has become a local bureaucrat/office holder. He has used his position to make himself money and get his family jobs and financial security while the rest of his suffer.

    Worst of all, he has done all of this while sticking his finger in our eye and arrogantly expecting us to support him because we happen to share the same party!

    That’s not going to cut it anymore! I relate a hell of a lot better to someone like Steve Fox who is a businessman who knows what true capitalism is and doesn’t rely on the city government for money while claiming to be a “free market” supporter the way Smith does.

    • His own comments are very telling. While Ron Smith was listening to consultants, Steve Fox was listening to people.

  29. More curiosity..

    They can count till their faces turn blue, but can they CALL and verify each vote by each provisional voter? Is that even legal to do?

    Also… what two pieces of legislation did Smith have ready to introduce?

    • If Ron Smith wants to introduce some legislation, he should probably call his new Assemblyman Steve Fox to help him out. I’m sure Steve will take his call…..

          • Hasn’t this been a fun day?

            I’m looking forward to the next Lancaster City Council meeting on T-W 3.

            Will they all act like nothing happened or what? Stay tuned.

          • Bet Rex doesn’t show. I hear he’s trying to do a run round on the WalMart EIR. Rex talked about strapping on his gun belt, because there was going to be some changes coming and people wouldn’t like them! Rex might want to get a clue and realize that’s already happening. Doubt he’ll be able to shoot his way out of anything anymore!

    • Let me guess, something to do with restricting abortion and or tanning by minors, keeping up the nonsense that the Runners promoted.

    • I forgot on part of the holy trinity of the Republican party, something to put gays back in the closet or maybe make them wear pink triangles. Seems that’s all the R brand stands for anymore.

  30. Poor Otto. You should probably wear a tall hat, maybe cone shaped, so that things don’t go over your head quite so easily.

    One cone shaped hat $35

    One book on satire $10

    One ticket outta here $3.50

    Priceless

      • Yes. Someday in the distance future, there will be the ‘internets’ where one can look up the price of anything. Like magic.

  31. Great. Now that it is over, maybe they’ll start picking up the rest of the election signs that seem to litter every corner in the AV.

  32. Dear Frank Visco,

    We the Democratic voters of the 36th District want to say a hearty “Thank you!” for fielding one turkey of a candidate! You have done more to advance the cause of the Democrats in one election than in all prior years. We urge you to keep doing what you’re doing.

    Thank you again for all of your hard work in advancing the Democratic Party!

    • That was a wonderful Thank You note. Yes, we can’t thank him enough for the first Democratic win here in 35 years.

      They, Smith, Visco and the rest, thought it would be a cake walk just like Romney and Fox News did for the presidency. They are so in touch with reality.

      Give ’em enough rope, as the saying goes.

  33. Smith stepped into quick sand or some similar substance this time rendering his venner vulnerable. Ronny’s re-election in 2014 may not be the cake walk the AV Baptist Church, Ronnny or his master, Boss Rex, can rely upon. Rex did not have to spend very much in order to insure the election of his two “dupes” in 2012. Getting his pet baliff re-elected in 2014 may cost him money he otherwise did not plan on spending. Remember that Americans do not like losers and Smith is proving to be quite preimminent in this regard. Perhaps it’s time to dust off the ususual candidates. Smith’s time for going “asta la bye bye” may have come.

  34. Out of curiosity and a little bit of political process ignorance..

    What happens if Fox is sworn in and by some magical bean counting it is found that Smith won?

    What happens at that point and how quickly does the process move? Is Fox compensated for his expenses because HE was told to go to Sacramento vs Smith who assumed he was all that and the winner?

    Wait… did Smith’s move get paid for by taxes? Or his pocket? Cause if WE paid for it, I want our money back. HE jumped the gun.

    • To answer your question, let me give you this scenerio. Had of Ron Smith been sworn into office today, later to find that Steve Fox won, Assembly Speaker John Perez would hold an Assembly vote within days and Ron Smith would have been voted out and Steve Fox would have been sworn in.

  36. Steve Fox has to be the candidate of the year. I saw him at every event I attended. I only saw Ron Smith at one event. Steve showed people he wanted the job and didn’t rely on his “campaign consultants” like Ron. There is no subsitute for hard work in politics and getting out your vote.

    • You are right…..Smith showed off his total arrogance during the entire campaign and basically stubbed the Republican voters in Palmdale. Many Republicans in Palmdale didn’t vote for either Fox or Smith. Enough to cost him the election.

  37. The people have spoken through their votes and their signal(voices)could not be any clearer. Today, District 36 stands on the threshold of a new era. It’s time to put aside the partisan bickering and mudslinging in order to formulate a bi-partisan partnership based on collaboration, communication, cooperation and committment. California is facing a crisis that has been 30 years in the making.

    If you want California to remain a place of dreams, or the pot of gold at the end of the American rainbow we must support our local elected officals Assemblyman Steve Fox and Senator Steve Knight as they represent the people of our district and are the peoples voices in Sacramento.

  39. What we really need is more Independents running for office. I’m beyond fed up with the two party system we have.

    If/When I ever run for public office here in the Antelope Valley, I will do so as an Independent. My thoughts and positions are not dictated by some party leadership in L.A. or Sacrcamento or D.C.

    Considering between 35-45% of voters classify themselves as “Independents”, I’d say there is a HUGE opportunity out there for candidates to become more moderate and appeal to the massive group of voters in the middle.

    • I agree Nikolas, but I dont think the candidates thoughts and positions are the same as their party either, they just know its easier to get elected if you belong to a big “club” that many Americans have a belief in. Getting elected is not just about appealing to smart, educated voters who have a brain, its also about appealing to the old and senile and the nutcases of our country, of which there are a great many. perhaps long ago a person could get elected by just being a good, honest person who cares about our nation, but now due to all the corruption and agendas and nutcases, a candidate must learn how to “play the game” to successfully move up the ladder in politics.

      • “Old, senile and nutcases “my my you cant possibly be a liberal.Are you still living in your parent’s basement?

    • I’ve been tracking voter registration trends in California for a few years now and something I’ve noticed is that the fastest growing voting block are “Independents” or people who checked “Decline to State”.

      The number of registered Democrats has spiraled downward in the same time period. It will get a bump and that will be followed by a significant drop, then another bump and then a drop again – almost like a downward roller coaster.

      I have actually been surprised at GOP registration levels. Although Republicans are a smaller piece of the pie than Democrats and Independents, they are more loyal to their party overall. Republicans have held steady at about 1/3 of all California voters which is what they have been for the past 10+ years now.

    • Have you thought this through?

      As awful as the current 2 party system is, an independent official would likely have 2 parties opposed to him/her and good luck governing.

      • Smith changed his affiliation from R to Independent, and didn’t win – so much for that theory.

        In his case, I don’t think the majority of voters in the AV believed his change of heart, even though he claimed to disagree with the Right-Wing Parris on some issues.

        Currently, those who change their political affiliation due to district changes, etc run the risk of being labeled Rino’s or Blue Dogs in disguise. Until there’s legitimate compromise with results in Washington, running on the (I) ticket is a ticket to nowhere – especially in states with large populations (electoral votes).

        • If Ron had EVER disagreed with Rex, the time to prove it was while on the council. has he ever voted against Rex?
          On anything?

          • What people like Smith don’t realize or ever will is that people like Rex look down on people like him.

            Wouldn’t you love to hear what the Rex says behind Smith’s back before and now?

  41. Yep looks like Smith falls victim again to false expectations brought about by the false reality the GOP has created for themselves–the Fox News fueled alternative universe once again collapses under the weight of those pesky liberally-bent concepts like arithmetic, reason, gravity, etc.

    Inasmuch as Smith made post-election plans he must now undo, I feel bad for.the guy. Inasmuch as he took the election for granted and made PRE-election plans he must now undo…LOL! Serves ya right.

    Congratulations Steve Fox. And congratulations Democrats; the seat hasn’t been Dem in name since who, Larry Chimbole? (And it will be Dem in name (only) now. That’s a start!)

    • I suspect Smith thought he would board the AV gravy train like the Runners and Knight.

      A couple terms in the Assembly, then automatically to the State Senate, then some ‘other’ easy paycheck for life like George Runner has managed to do.

      Now that Democrats have a win under their belt, next we have to replace Knight.

      • The days of the AVRA good ol’ boys traipsing out whoever they want and the AV’s GOP sheeple blindly voting for them is over.

        The AVRA needs to take a lesson here and pay more attention to the needs of the AV rather than their own personal little fiefdom agendas. It looks like the Republicans in the AV seem to be starting to notice the stench coming from their ‘leadership.’

        • It’s a good thing Lancaster is down wind. The stench seems to originate there.

          Look at the difference between the 2 cities. Palmdale doesn’t have all the right wing, religious baggage and self-serving politicians that Lancaster does and seems to be primed to be the premier city in the Antelope Valley if not already. (I think it is already)

          Palmdale’s city government does the business of running a city well through good and bad economic times and doesn’t mess with prayer’s at council meetings and other nonsense and it shows.

          Palmdale is better situated as far as the intersection of the transportation corridors and is closer to Los Angeles, has the airport for future use, and is UPWIND.

          It will be nice to break up the stranglehold the Lancaster GOP has had on the Valley. Even though Knight was on the Palmdale City Council, it feels like he’s part of the Lancaster good ol’ boys club.

          This is just the beginning. And, yet I’m still surprised that Steve Fox won after all these years of GOP rule. Congratulations to him.

          • Steve Knight has actually been pretty loyal to the Antelope Valley. More than the Runners, that’s for sure!

            The Runners just used the Assembly seat to move to Sacramento, get on the state tax board and buy a chateau in Lake Tahoe.

            Knight remains a significant presence in the area and has represented the Antelope Valley well. He does not seem to be as self serving as the Runners were.

          • “…Look at the difference between the 2 cities. Palmdale doesn’t have all the right wing, religious baggage and self-serving politicians that Lancaster does ”

            Lets just say they don’t have the stroke that the snakes in Lancaster have – yet. They’re just biding their time til Ledford retires.

            Better they’re voted out soon & forced to crawl back to their Lancaster caves.

      • I agree about replacing Knight, but c’mon… something better than his last opponent has to be out there.

  42. What’s really funny is Baliff Smith is whinning that the election was “manipulated”. Lancaster’s City Clerk should take note of the kettle calling the pot black.

    • Ron Smith sure seems to know a lot about how cheating in elections takes place. Just sayin….

  43. Have you ever heard of the movie, “Mr. Smith goes to Washington?” The sequel is, “Mr. Smith goes to Sacramento….but then has to turn around and come back.”

  45. There is some serious partisanship in this valley. California is ranked the worst run state in the country and people are celebrating a Democratic super majority. The City Attorney of San Bernardino is telling residents to lock their doors and load their guns and people don’t see what is going on. So long as they get their little sliver of the pie …
    The times, they won’t be so good for so long. Quite frankly it seems what you think are good times aren’t much compared to what is coming but equal misery, right? Hopefully someday you’ll see that what is best for our country, state, and ever-much-so at the local, liberty and free market has been the only avenue in which a man can raise himself from poverty to a living wage to a millionaire. The gap between the middle class and lower class is narrowing while, ironically, the upper class continues to gain. The liberal utopia does not exist, it is a mirage. All that happens is we go from a system with a majority middle class and small lower and upper classes to a system with a small upper class and a large lower class that does the bidding of the upper. You’ve made your choice and have chose serfdom. I’m not speaking solely of this particular race since most aren’t but the simple fact remains that the grand scale begins at the local and this state is leading our country to Greece.

    • @Ben K. You thought Ron was going to fix things? One of the reasons Lancaster is up to its neck in debt is because of this guy! And he brought us the eye-in-sky to spy on those serfs you speak of. get a grip. Or at least a clue!

      • There must be a song that goes with this article.

        How ’bout the theme from ‘Gone With The Wind’ or ‘Shaft’ or ‘Hit The Road Jack’. Even ‘Satisfaction’.

        Come on, help me.

    • ” … The liberal utopia does not exist, it is a mirage.”

      ” …The City Attorney of San Bernardino is telling residents to lock their doors and load their guns ”

      Actually, San Bernardino is turning BLUE, much to the chagrin of this politico’s fear mongering. Maybe this is why he’s using fear – is the last card in the deck.

      • Is it a coincidence that San Bernardino is “turning blue” at the same time that it is turning into a deadly, crime ridden cesspool.

        And yes, the liberal utopia is a mirage! Ask San Francisco! They have had to go back and retroactively cut the pension/retirement benefits of all of their retired city employees. They are on the brink of shutting down their city college and cutting the health benefits of new employees.

        Don’t believe me then read the articles in the SF Examiner from November.

        • Well, Tim, wouldn’t your ‘logic’, such as it is, tell you that San Berdoo was going downhill while it was RED?

          It’s just like so many right wingers whining and threatening that the country is a mess forgetting for all time that it happened during a republican administration.

          Actually, this country started going downhill with Reagan if you are capable of taking an overview, since the 80s. Most things such as stagnant wages and such have been occuring for 30 years. Who was president 30 years ago, Tim?

          Oh, and does the crime in SB set off your conservative overactive ‘fear response’?

      • Studies of brain physiology and structure have shown that conservative brains have a larger amygdala than liberal brains. The amygdala is where fear is processed.

        That’s why conservatives are always reacting fearfully to nearly everything in life. Look at how scared they are of taxes. Boo! Plus, they project their own fearful take of the world on everyone else. It’s a win/win* for them.

        Liberals risked their lives to go down to the South to fight for civil rights in the 60s while conservatives stay barricaded in their trailers with their guns and bibles. Who’s the ‘scaredy cats’ in life?

        Parris strolls the BLVD armed and with body guards while young moms walk it pushing baby strollers. He’s so brave.

        *sarcasm alert.

        • I would like you to post the source of this brain “study” you’re talking about.

          Where was it researched? Which university undertook it? Who funded it? What was the original hypothesis?

          To me, the opposite seems true. Liberals like to scare their own people too. How many times has a liberal said that if you didn’t vote for them, their Social Security was going to be cut? I cant tell you how many times I saw black people post in open forums that if Mitt Romney won he would bring back slavery and they believed it!

          I would say that level of fear corresponds more to education level than party affiliation.

          • I really hate to bother with going to the trouble of posting a link if you are a conservative, because from past experience, they dismiss anything they conflicts with their ‘belief’ systems, if you know what I mean.

            I notice you didn’t provide any links to your ‘opinion’ that from your point of view it’s the liberals who use fear. I wonder why.

            So, here goes. This is to a Wikipedia article which has many links to various studies, so don’t give me “Wikipedia isn’t a reliable source of anything”. You can also Google conservative vs liberal brain studies’ which will provide numerous other links to articles and studies.
            http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Differences_between_conservative_and_liberal_brain

            Here is an except I found interesting and consistent with the findings I originally posted.

            “Physiology

            Persons with right-wing views had greater skin conductance response, indicating greater sympathetic nervous system response, to threatening images than those with left-wing views in one study. There was no difference for positive or neutral images. Holding right-wing views was also associated with a stronger startle reflex as measured by strength of eyeblink in response to unexpected noise.[1]”

            Yep. Just say the word ‘taxes’ at a conservative conference and all the sphincters tighten up instantly even if the eyes don’t blink.

            As for the Social Security issue, isn’t it true? And, don’t give me that Romney/Ryan stuff about “only if you are 55 and older you’ll be fine” c***.

            There are all kinds of studies that aren’t flattering to conservatives and, maybe, that’s why you guys aren’t fond of SCIENCE.

            One such study showed conservative brains to be more certain yet faith based while liberal brains have more self-doubt yet are better able to solve complex problems. Doesn’t that comport with your observations of the simple-minded solutions to complex issues that conservatives put forth rarely anticipating unforeseen negative consequences yet completely certain of their ‘rightness’? Does me.

            “Please proceed, governor” I love that line.

          • As I recall, the “please proceed, governor” line came after Romney called Obama out on the lie he just told about declaring that Benghazi was a terrorist attack. I agree that “please proceed” was a smart thing to say, because it was the best way out of the situation Romney put him in at the time.

          • Apparently, Fernando wasn’t paying attention to the facts on the Obama/Romney debate. Romney attempted to call out Obama on ‘the Benghazi lie’ only to discover that Obama had, indeed, been telling the truth when the moderator corrected Romney with the date and event at which Obama had labelled the event as a terrorist act.

            The fact that Fernando STILL thinks that Romney was correct only serves to show how he conveniently ignores FACTS when they interfere with his prejudiced mindset… A trait seen all to often in too many people today.

          • Apparently, Stinger wasn’t paying attention when the facts came out that Obama was not talking about Benghazi when he mentioned terrorism in the rose garden, and that the pro-Obama moderator later said she was wrong about declaring that Obama had called it a terrorist act. Apparently, Stinger is either blind, or choses to ignore these facts…I believe it’s the latter.

          • Thanks Stinger. Sometimes when I read a comment or reply like Fernando’s I just don’t feel like responding to a Fox News viewer.

            Yes, on Fox, that was the meme that they crafted to cover for Romney’s stupid feet-in-mouth disease. Right after the debate many news channels showed video clips of the President the day after the attack saying ‘acts of terror’ in discussing Benghazi. The same people who didn’t know that ‘that’ referred to infrastructure and other societal institutions and not a businessman’s own business when he said “You didn’t build that” are the same who thought like Fernando about the ‘acts of terror’ issue during the debate. The right don’t know no English language or grammar no how, do they? How do they manage to dress themselves?

            That’s why I love that line and the way President Obama said it so politely while sitting so casually on that stool. So casually and confidently.

            ‘Priceless’ like a MasterCard commercial.

            Isn’t it fascinating how after a beating like the right got, they double-down on what they were doing that lost them the election?

            Democrats should be grateful for that. I don’t know why we bother trying to ‘school’ them. I guess they have to hit bottom like alcoholics.

            Ironic that Fernando fell into the same trap as Romney did when I wrote “Please proceed, governor”. I shoulda said “Please proceed, Fernando”.

            This has been a fun election…….for Democrats.

            However, if your election fun lasts longer than 4 hours, see a doctor.

          • Let’s face it, Republicans got beat for sure. It’s because we’re outnumbered. Illegals, welfare types, homosexuals, tree-huggers, feminists, anti-military folks and the like all fall reside within the Democratic party. They outnumber us, and we let it happen. You win, and the good in America loses. Enjoy your free stuff before the collapse. I’ll be fine because I can afford good digs in Australia when it happens. Put another shrimp on the barbie baby!!!

          • Stinger, here’s how things have to be told to Fernando because he(Fernando) has trouble with the English language and has to have everything spelled out for him(Fernando) because he(Fernando) will make stuff up that coincidentally agrees with his(Fernando’s) prior assumptions and wishes.

            See, normally, most people, except for republicans, can get who the ‘he’, ‘him’ or ‘his’ refers to in a statement. But, republicans can’t do that for some reason. That’s why they distort and eff up everything they hear.

            Then, they get irate and threaten to move to Australia as though that (their move to Australia) will hurt our (meaning us libruls) feelings (meaning we don’t give a [removed by William].

            Australia was originally a penal colony so he (meaning Fernando) will feel right at home. Of course, Australia was happy to be rid of Rupert Murdoch so they (Australians) might do the same with him (Fernando)

            God, that was tiring having to spell out everything for him (Fernando). Fortunately, President Obama doesn’t bother with them (the GOP). He (the President) simply lets them go on wild goose chases while he (President Obama) cleans their clocks at the polls.

          • Re: Fernando’s claim of President Obama’s failure to call the attack in Benghazi an act of terror and subesquent lying about it…

            Y’know, I’m the first one to admit that I’m not perfect (okay, maybe the second one), so I went back and reviewed the entire Rose Garden Speech to double-check myself with the facts (an act that I doubt that Fernando would do). In so doing, I am able to definitevely confirm that the President did, indeed, include the Benghazi attack, along with other attacks, as ‘acts of terror’ at 8:14 in the speech. I believe that most people would be able to discern readily that the ‘acts of terror’ statement, as presented in the speech, would be inclusive of the attack in Benghazi.

            Enjoy Australia, Fernando. I hear that it is a very nice place…

          • Funny. Fernando speaks of going to Australia, where the Prime minister is a female atheist, they have gun control and healthcare. Good luck with that!

          • @Tim B. I posted a link you requested plus referred you to other links.

            Did you have a chance to read the articles on conservative vs liberal brain functions?

          • @Fernando…”Let’s face it, Republicans got beat for sure. It’s because we’re outnumbered. Illegals, welfare types, homosexuals, tree-huggers, feminists, anti-military folks and the like all fall reside within the Democratic party”

            Not sure of your understanding of the voting process, but illegals cannot vote.

          • Hey Mister- In case you haven’t heard, you don’t need to show ID to vote. This could be easily remedied by requiring that voters show ID. But for some reason, democrats are against this….hmmmmm….I wonder why…..any ideas?

          • Theo- That female athiest you speak of does not put up with muslim $h!t….good enough for me, mate!!

          • Stinger- So, Obama clearly and directly declared it a terrorist attack the day after the event? Then how do you explain Hillary and Rice’s subsequent declarations that it was caused by a video? You probably won’t answer, but if you do…who’s integrity will you impugn? Gotta choose one or the other!! G’day!

          • @Fernando G. I’m of European descent and they sure did ask for my ID. Sure it’s easier for a Jose Rodriguez to impersonate another Jose Rodriguez, but then the name gets crossed off of the list. Can’t ensure all polling places are doing their job, just like at any other given job. You can only hope and expect they do

          • @Fernando G. SO now the 1st ammendment doesnt apply to Muslims? Geez Louise, your white hood cannot clearly be more visible.

        • What a joke this article is.First look at the disclaimers.If you can get past those, look at the sample -British college students who don’t know their asses from their elbows.

          • Mr. Mister: ” … It’s because we’re outnumbered.”

            Right, it had nothing to do with your Party’s platform that you were ‘outnumbered’…….

            If you actively intimidate a majority of United States citizens, who were you counting on to vote for your candidate??

          • Give credit where credit is due. I said that; not Mister. It had everything to do with our platform. Illegals, welfare types, homosexuals, tree-huggers, feminists, anti-military folks and the like do not like the republican platform. There are more of them now than normal people. That’s what makes us normal people outnumbered. Get a clue!

          • To my understanding, all American citizens are part of the electorate. Why would the groups you listed, save the illegals, want to vote for a party that clearly disavows any beliefs but their own? Common sense will tell you that bud.

          • Normal people?
            Ones that believe in something that cannot be proven with any existent physical evidence?
            Ones that do not believe in green house gas emissions and it’s effect on the environment?
            Ones that think that sacrificing lives for a cause in which the sacrificed will never understand?
            Ones that do not believe that women should have equality in all aspects?
            Ones that do not believe that all men are created equal (no matter their sexual preference)?
            Ones that believe let your neighbor live in the street instead of lending a helping hand (although i do agree welfare reform is necessary, but should not be removed altogether)
            And your the normal ones, eh?
            Please be independent in your thinking and not just recite pundits, until then, your opinions and view on things are of no merit.

    • Ben K. wrote “There is some serious partisanship in this valley.”

      I just hate ‘unserious partisanship’, don’t you?

  46. On Oct. 24th, Rex announced his replacement for Rons’ job, and Ron believed the King. Was that a lease in Sacramento? Was the plane ticket refundable?

    • Smith was blindsided just like Mittens. What’s with those republicans?

      When we kept saying they live and operate in an alternate universe and they said the same about Democrats, well look who related to reality more effectively November 6 and who was blindsided by the outcomes.

      The GOP/Fox News/Romney/Ryan campaign were already measuring the White House for new drapes and whoops!!!.

      Here’s the problem. Since the religious right is mostly republican and they are certainly ‘certain’ about everything they ‘believe’ in, they naturally believe their own BS. How could they not? They practice ‘faith based politics’ and when they lose, they have trouble ‘believing’ it.

      The only thing to do, is to keep making sure they lose. Trying to debate or negotiate with them is pointless. Ask Barack Obama ’bout that useless waste of time.

      I still laugh when I recall the President at the second debate telling Mitt “Please proceed, governor” and then Mitt stepped in it.

  47. Wow looks like Smith finally got the word RECALL that is he has been RECALLED BACK TO THE CITY OF LANCASTER. Lookin forward to the next council meeting to see what will be said.

  48. Congratulations Steve… you did a fabulous job and you will represent our 36th District well!!!!!!!

  49. But will Deputy Dog Smith put out the call for the National Guard to put down this rebellion of the great unwashed public?

    Republicans WAKE UP….it’s the canidate stupid, and Deputy Dog Smith was and is a terrible canidate. Shoulda nominated Tom.

    • The AVRA should face it: By submitting to the traditional favoritism games played by their power broker leadership in running such a clearly corrupt candidate as Smith, instead of running their best representing candidate in Tom Lackey, they practically handed the election to the Democratic candidate.

      AVRA take note – your ‘good ol boys’ have outlived their usefulness and it is time for you to face reality beyond the moneyball games that you have allowed to dominate your local party decisionmaking.

      • Can’t wait till the next council meeting. Isn’t it Smith who seconds every motion to look busy?

        Poor Rex won’t have his ‘boy’ in Sacto and his hand picked replacement in his pocket.

        Oh, the humanity!!! (picture the Hindenburg going down in flames)

      • Mr. Republican Marvin Crist did not fare too well as the new leadership in charge of local Republican politics and getting Ron Smith elected was his prime directive. How could he possibly screw that up? Can Visco appoint someone smarter? Stay Tuned for the adventures of Ron and Marvin!

        • It is a rather convenient coincidence that Crist’s site (intheav.com) has suddenly disappeared, isn’t it?

          • I know. I tried to see what the psychotics were saying over there on Monday but couldn’t access it.

            Oh, well,

            Now, I’m laughing. I hope they don’t come here. I have my hands full with Fernando, really, Tina Marie, Tim B. and the rest. If I left any of you out, sorry.

          • I was thinking the same thing Stinger. intheav.com ALWAYS goes down when things don’t go Rex and boys way.
            Guess no one bothered to tell them Marv’s site has been irrelevant for a couple years now.
            O God! What if they take the AV Press off the racks? Whatever will we dooo!
            (Shhhh No one tell them about this AV Times site.
            These idiots honestly think they control ALL the news in the AV! And let’s hope they never find out about facebook. It would destroy them! hehehe.)

  50. I have to remember to read the AV Press in the next few weeks to read the letters on this race.

    The whining will be so much fun to listen to.

  51. I don’t know Fox well. I just vote Democratic most of the time except for Mayor James Ledford who doesn’t really seem like one of ‘those’ republicans.

    That’s why he’s such a good mayor.

  52. I can’t help but feel sorry for Ron Smith. This has got to SUCK!!!

    I looked at the article in the Sac Bee and Ron said he already had his picture on the wall and had his office picked out and was about to introduce legislation tomorrow. He probably already moved his whole family to Sacramento too.

    Whether you like Ron Smith or not, you can’t help but feel bad for the guy…

      • Not with Star Moffat I hope! Dem Club of the AV please, please do not let her run for anything again!

        I did not want to vote for Knight but you left me with no choice!

        • I’m guessing that if it looks more winnable for Democrats in the AV, thanks to Steve Fox, some good candidates might start running…..and winning.

          Knight didn’t win big if I recall.

          • William,

            before you get all antsy, you had better thank Republicans! Yes I said THANK REPUBLICANS! There were enough of us that said to ourselves “No, this is unacceptable” when we saw Ron Smiths name on the ballot that we reflexively voted for Steve Fox. Had we not done so and been true partisans, Smith would have own hands down. So I’m sorry to rain your little Democrat Parade, but you can thank GOP voters in this town, not Demos!

          • @Melanie; You are absolutely correct! It is heartening to see that there were a significant number of Republicans in the AV who could see through the AVRA stupidity and vote their conscience. The good news in all of this is that, unlike Ron Sith, Steve Fox is more inclined to represent the ENTIRE AV instead of just members of his party that paid for his campaign.

          • @Stinger & Melanie,

            I am also a Republican who voted for Steve Fox and Steve needs to remember that lots of us voted for him and made his win a possibility. William you really shouldn’t gloat about this. You should try to be a little less partisan and be more logical. You seem to have this knee jerk reaction to everything Republican and it makes you look really uneducated. I see Steve Fox as someone who won by a coalition of liberals, moderates and disenchanted Republicans vote for him.

          • ” …Yes I said THANK REPUBLICANS! There were enough of us that said to ourselves “No, this is unacceptable””

            Oh yeah, like we’d thank Republicans – for what? Their obstructionism and greedy theft of our Nation’s Wealth? Their constant stonewalling of JOBS for years? Their lies on FOX NEWS????

            Sorry – THANK the Democratic Party for digging you out of this ditch, and please don’t forget to send your tax checks in on time – April 15th.

          • Aye caramba. Tim B. said this to me.

            “William you really shouldn’t gloat about this. You should try to be a little less partisan and be more logical.”

            A republican is telling me, William, to be logical and less partisan and not to gloat.

            Did you not read the article on conservative brains Tim B.?

            Anyway, remember the tea party gloating in 2010 when they thought they conquered the world? Tim doesn’t.

            Tim thinks republicans aren’t partisan, I guess. Just me.

            Logical? What does Tim know about logic.

            I gave up on republicans several years ago when it appeared that they were not the honorable loyal opposition but truly deranged people and that with the tea party, all the nuts the in courtry migrated to the GOP and kicked out the moderates.

            Republicans voted NO on bills they had authored or previously supported simply to deny the President a win on any- and everything.

            The list of republican insanity it endless and they are not capable of being reasoned with.

            Today, after Boehner said he reached a compromise with Erskine Bowles, someone who doesn’t hold office and is not representative of what the Democrats stand for, especially after the election, Bowles told Boehner that the didn’t agree with what he had said.

            THAT is the crazy party of Tim B. and Sarah Palin, Michele Bachmann, Allen West, Todd Akin, etc.

            Tim, write something intelligent and I won’t treat you like 1 more crazy republican.

          • I think there were also a sizable percentage of Republican voters that just left the Assembly race blank. They couldn’t stand the idea of Ron in the Assembly, but they couldn’t bring themselves to vote for Steve Fox. I am one of those Republicans who help my nose and voted for Fox, wishing it was Tom Lackey.

          • @HR: Much as I like, respect, and support Fox, I have to admit that, given the way the numbers went, had the AVRA ‘leadership’ chosen to listen to their membership instead of their “good ol’ boys” power brokers and run Tom Lackey instead of Ron Smith, the Assembly seat would likely still be in their hands.

            This is why I would advise the AVRA to totally rethink their power structure. The power brokers failed the AV Republican voters in favor of their own agenda, not caring one whit about the principles that so many local Republicans hold so dear. They care so little about their own membership that they ran a candidate SO BAD that the majority of their own membership could not bring themselves to vote for him and lost the seat that they had held for 35 years!

            Time to clean house, AVRA! Time to get rid of Rex, Visco, Gilley, and the rest of the “Good ol’ boys!”

          • @Stinger. It’s not just the AVRA. The entire GOP is coming unglued. Fox News fired Rove and Morris.

            Boehner kicked 4 reps off committees.

            Their ‘Great White Hope’ Romney is suffering from depression and won’t be seen much more.

            Ryan and Rubio are pathetically thinking they are the new party. They love to lose.

            Some kind of ‘dumb ray’ from outer space has stricken the republican party and left them without the sense of an amoeba.

            Works for me.

  53. This is tooo funny. We will be able to hear Ron, Rex, Frank Visco and anyone else joined to Ron at the hip crying for the next few weeks. And now Ron is going to seek a recount. He has to pay for that himself.

    • This is such a huge embarrassment to our local republican leadership. This shows that Frank Visco should just stay away, his time is way past around here. He only stays around because the council falls all over themselves to give him whatever he wants like i said a huge embarrassment sad.

      • When I first moved here in the 90s, not knowing or paying much attention to the local politics, it wasn’t long before I knew Lancaster was a shady town.

        You could tell just by driving around and seeing scattered shopping centers, dead downtown and it looked like a few were running the show for their own benefit.

        Well, I guess I was psychic or something. You could feel the backroom deals. It’s in the air.

  54. oh great, after screwing with the AVC Board of Directors he’s now going to bring everything to a grinding halt on an entirely new level…