[img]1640|right|Arthur Christopher Schaper||no_popup[/img]Last Nov. 6 was a day that still stings for Republicans, conservatives, and anyone who does not like President Obama. Facing a winning field for the U.S. Senate, a stronghold on the House of Representatives, and an incumbent President with a terrible domestic and foreign policy record, Republicans were poised to win the White House and take back Washington.
Besides losing the White House decisively, Republicans lost Senate seats, yet held onto their majority in the House. On a better note, red states grew redder, with 30 Republican governors in statehouses across the country. Supermajority Republican rule was established in states like Indiana, along with growing Republican hegemony in the South and Midwest. Blue states became bluer, and the Republicans in those states were blue, indeed.
Republicans remained a diminished brand in the Northeast, where Republican pickups looked likely. The Massachusetts Sixth Congressional District seemed like an easy win for Republican state senate minority leader Richard Tisei, a cost-cutting legislator and lieutenant gubernatorial candidate. He lost, though, by one point. Beacon Hill’s Republican numbers declined as they did across the state line in Providence, where the Republican Assembly, true to its conservative credentials, endorsed Rick Santorum for President over Mitt Romney.
Illinois has a Democratic supermajority in Springfield, and Sacramento has the same liberal dominance for the first time in decades. Despite libertarian-leaning candidates, and a strong ground game, California Republicans lost key seats. Their power was vanquished to block tax increases and other revenue appropriations, both of which require two-thirds votes in both chambers. Democrats hold every statewide office. Californians, both private citizens and businesses, are fleeing the not-so-Golden State for Arizona, Nevada, even Oklahoma.
A Fast Farewell
After last year’s stinging defeats, an opportunity blossomed in the Central Valley. State Sen. Michael Rubio of Bakersfield, a conservative, business-friendly Democrat, suddenly announced he was stepping down to join Chevron as a lobbyist. While denying any wrongdoing was forcing him out, Sen. Rubio had dubious connections with the oil firm. His departure, along with a smattering of empty seats from state legislators-turned-Congressmen, ended the two-thirds stronghold in the Senate. Sen. Rubio’s removal was better news for the Republicans. They saw an opportunity to make a dent in the recently installed Democratic supermajority in Sacramento.
In the past decade, the 16th state Senate district consistently has fallen into Democratic clutches. In 2006, Republicans did not bother to even front a candidate. When I learned of Sen. Rubio’s pending departure, I called state leaders and strangely, none had heard of this legislative two-step.
The Showdown
Andy Vidak (R-Visalia), a farmer, was the top contender for the 16th District seat, a failed Congressional candidate who lost to Democrat Jim Costa. To replace Sen. Rubio, Mr. Vidak would challenge Democrat Leticia Perez from the Kern County Board of Supervisors.
With the threat of taxes, spending, and government stagnation weighing on California, plus growing concerns from Central Valley farmers about water and waste (like that bullet train going nowhere), business interests immediately lined up behind Mr. Vidak. He fell just short of winning the special election primary with a solid majority, 49 percent to 43.
Instead of feeling sorry for themselves, Republicans across the state mobilized. I received numerous emails soliciting donations, precinct walks, or phone calls for Mr. Vidak. Ventura, San Diego and Los Angeles counties joined forces with Central Valley phone banks to get out the vote.
What once seemed impossible turned into a certainty: Andy Vidak won the Senate seat for the Central Valley by 53-46.
Haven’t you heard?
The media has not widely reported the outcome. Why? A liberal media in line with promoting Democratic dominance would not want to discuss a roaring Republican restoration. Regardless, voters are waking up to a state with failing schools, bankrupt cities, and greedy state representatives taking our tax dollars and impoverishing our state. They have had enough.
We have said this before: “It’s Pirate Time, GOP.” The Republican party is mobilizing minorities and retrenching for 2014.
Arthur Christopher Schaper is a teacher-turned-writer on topics both timeless and timely; political, cultural, and eternal. A lifelong Southern California resident, he currently lives in Torrance.
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