Conservative provocateur and radio host Carl DeMaio is once again stirring the political pot, this time announcing he's joining the fray to compete for a spot in the California State Assembly. Known for not pulling any punches, DeMaio has filed his paperwork to run in the 75th District, unleashing a campaign that's sure to rattle more than a few cages in his quest to shake up what he has described as a flailing California GOP.
Intent on igniting what he believes to be needed reform within California's troubled political landscape, DeMaio is positioning himself as the unyielding adversary of both ineffective Republican leaders and the dominant Democratic party. He's already pledged to "force change and restore political balance" to a state he implies has skewed dangerously out of control. He's set to solidify his candidacy at a press conference at his campaign headquarters on Monday, as confirmed in a public statement and reported by X.
HELP SHAKE UP CA POLITICS: CA is a mess, and both political parties are to blame! That’s why I’ve made this decision and ask you to help at https://t.co/fubnVkmHpC pic.twitter.com/NftAXWDNVa
— Carl DeMaio (@carldemaio) December 7, 2023
"I’m frustrated and I think that if we don’t change things now, it will get a lot worse; millions of more Californians will flee the state and it will be too late," DeMaio said boldly, according to a POLITICO interview. DeMaio has been unafraid to directly confront the state GOP, keen to "force them to change." His message has resonated with some; a private poll conducted by GS Strategies cited by DeMaio shows his name ID stands at a formidable 85 percent with a 49 percent favorability rating within the district he seeks to serve.
The district up for grabs includes an array of communities from Fallbrook to Bonita, an area DeMaio is familiar with, having previously represented portions of it on the San Diego City Council. His run might not be a cakewalk, as he faces competition from the GOP-endorsed candidates Andrew Hayes and Jack Fernandes in the upcoming primary. DeMaio's commitment to change is clear; he is planning to continue his work with Reform California and proposes to broadcast on YouTube each afternoon from the state Capitol if elected. He told POLITICO, "The business community feels like they're just kind of held hostage up there," highlighting his intent to provide balance in a predominantly Democratic state legislature.
With approximately $2 million total in his committees and an estimated $600,000 in cash on hand for his Assembly race, he is determined to be a driving force in California's political arena. His resilience is unrelenting; he says, "I’m not going to go anywhere. I’m going to continue to fight till we take back the state." Whether his insurgency will lead to victory and a revitalized Republican presence in the state remains to be seen.
