On April 19, 2014, the Republican Party of Los Angeles County (RPLAC) will take up slate of endorsements for consideration in the local and county contests such as County Supervisor, Superior Court Judges and Los Angeles County Sheriff.

The contest for Sheriff is highly contested due to the departure of Lee Baca has attracted 7 candidates:  Detective Supervisor Lou Vince, Assistant Sheriff/Lakewood Councilman Todd Rogers,  Retired Sheriff Lt. Patrick Gomez, Retired Sheriff Commander Bob Olmsted, Long Beach Police Chief Jim McDonnell, Retired Undersheriff/Gardena Mayor Paul Tanaka, and Assistant Sheriff James Hellmold.

Tanaka is the lone Republican running for County Sheriff is seeking RPLAC’s endorsement.

Judi Neal, RPLAC Member from the 41st Assembly District (Claremont-Pasadena), made an appeal via e-mail to RPLAC Members to block such endorsement in light of recent scandals that has snared the LASD:

To the Members of RPLAC,

I am writing to each of you regarding the Republican candidate running for Sheriff of Los Angeles County.  Paul Tanaka is the only “registered” Republican running for Sheriff and it may be that he will automatically be endorsed by RPLAC on April 19^th, however, given that he is part of a three year investigation by the FBI and that the DOJ is opening their own investigation into alleged allegations an endorsement at this time may not be in the best interest of the Republican Party.

Adhering to full disclosure, I must advise that my father, a retired Commander with the Sheriff’s Dept. questioned the integrity of both Lee Baca and Paul Tanaka.  He was very concerned with the path he saw the Dept. taking under their direction and control.  At a recent Meet & Greet Paul Tanaka was asked about his Viking tattoo.  He will tell you that it’s “just a mascot”, that would be an understatement.  Deputies out of numerous stations have a reputation of playing fast and loose with the enforcement of the law.   Getting the tattoo showed they were part of the Deputies inner circle.

Our by-laws prohibit us from endorsing anyone other than Republicans; however, they don’t say we have to endorse the wrong candidate just because they have an “R” after their name.  In the case of Paul Tanaka, I believe it would suit us to withhold any endorsement until the remainder of the indictments are announced.  In other words, the person we endorse should have no encumbrances or hint of scandal that would embarrass and weaken the party.  We do not need public fallout as we are trying so diligently to rebuild and restore the Republican franchise.  Therefore, I am asking that we invoke Item 12, from the RPLAC Endorsing Rules and Procedures and that as many members as we can get to stand with me at the meeting on April 19^th and block this endorsement.

Item 12 states “All Republican candidates who have requested a party endorsement, and who are running in races where there is no other Republican candidate, will be automatically endorsed, except in the situation where two or more members request the County Party to withhold such automatic endorsement and hold a vote for that Candidate.  In such an instance, a vote to endorse will be held for that candidate, who must receive a 2/3 vote of the membership.”

Los Angeles Magazine has written the most accurate account of the actions leading up to the recent indictments and those yet to come.  There are four segments so please read them all. Also see The Citizen Commission of Jail Violence.  Please note this is my opinion and in no way reflects the opinions of anyone else associated with RPLAC. 

Respectfully Submitted,

Judi Neal