Ok, who am I going to vote for in the Republican Party? We have seven candidates for Governor, two for Lieutenant Governor, three for Secretary of State, one for Attorney General (that decision will be easy), four for Controller, two for Treasurer and three for Insurance Commissioner. Plus there four candidates for Superintendent of Public Instruction, which is a non-partisan office.

Unfortunately, the candidate statements are very short, about a paragraph each. I suppose I could go to the Republican Party site and see what they have... apparently nothing. They do have a position statement on what I'm supposed to vote for... that's disappointing, only four of the Propositions are covered. No on 40 and 45, Yes on 41 and 42. Well, I agree with 50% of their recommendations.

Back to the candidates for Governor. Bill Simon: I want to fix everything, I don't say anything. Nick Jesson: Damn those illegal Mexian Wetbacks! Bill Jones: I authored "Three Strikes". Jim Dimov: "I will solve all problems..." (Wow, he actually said that). Richard J Riordan: I was Mayor of Los Angeles. Danney Ball: I'm not a politician. Edie Bukewihge: I will also do a lot of things if elected, oh and by the way our State Constitution violates the US Constitution. Wow, what a tough choice. None of them look any good. I'm leery of people who promise everything. I don't like people who are anti-immigration. I'm not voting for the mayor of Los Angeles. I guess that leaves Danney Ball, not that he has a chance in Hades of getting the Republican nomination.

Lieutenant Governor. Ellie Michaels: "My main focus will be parental involvement in education, lower taxes and tax credits for those who work at home." Bruce McPherson: Tax cuts, bring more jobs, raise school standards and reduce class sizes. I'm not sure if the Lieutenant Governor is all that important, but at least if he's from a different party he serves as a bit of a check for the Governor. In any case, looks like both candidates have the same goals. Eh, flip a coin... it's Ellie Michaels.

Secretary of State. Mike Schaefer: I went to UC Berkeley. Barbara Jean Marr: I'm going to make sure that those illegal aliens stop voting in our elections and that Republican legislators reduce state expenditures for abortion (she even looks angry in her picture). Keith Olberg: I'm going to concentrate on making sure elections are run properly. I'm not voting for the scary woman and I'm partial to Berkeley alumni (note that the word doesn't mean you graduated) so I'll vote for Mike Schaefer.

Attorney General. Dick Ackerman: Death Penalty! 3-Strikes! Gun Toting Criminals beware! Not like I have much of a choice here.

Controller: W Snow Hume: I got a beef against San Francisco. Dean Andal: I'm an Eagle Scout and a "Friend of the Taxpayers". Tom McClintock: I want to pass lots of laws. Nancy Beecham: I'm a Registered Nurse. Heck, as a nod to Julie I'll vote for Nancy Beecham.

Treasurer. Greg Conlon: I was a pilot in the Air Force. Mary A Toman: I have a Stanford Economics Degree. Well, I have to take Air Force over Stanford.

Insurance Commissioner. Stefan "Watchdog" Stitch: I have a pretentious nickname. Gary Mendoza: I was Deputy Mayor of Los Angeles. Wes Bannister: I was Mayor of a major California city and president of a major public company (not much of name dropper, that one). Geez, more bad choices. Sigh, I'll have to suppress my natural anti-Los Angeles sentiments and vote for Gary Mendoza, who seems to be the most qualified.

Superintendent of Public Instruction. Katherine H Smith: Let's go back to school prayer. Lynne C Leach: I'm from Walnut Creek. Joe Taylor: I didn't bother to send in a position statement. Jack O'Connell: I was a teacher. It's really a toss up between Leach and O'Connell. Randomly I choose Jack O'Connell.

I also received a packet about the local issues to vote for. But, since I'm moving soon it wouldn't be right to vote for issues that won't affect me.