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California: Guy Houston

January 28, 2009 - 06:29 pm
NEWS FEED: Capitol Weekly

Former capitol staffer heads across the Pacific

By Malcolm Maclachlan

Most Capitol staffers are kept more than busy enough by their day jobs. But last year, while serving as legislative director for Assemblyman Guy Houston, Keith Ochwat moonlighted managing a documentary project being filmed in China.

While Ochwat spent long days staffing bills and long nights raising money and keeping track of expenses, his creative partner, Chris Rufo, was dodging the Chinese secret police.

“You see the guy who is always hanging around your building,” Rufo said. “When you leave, he leaves.”

Over nine months of filming, Rufo sought to slip the eyes of the authorities by growing facial hair, hiding behind buildings and jumping on and off of buses. He came back with the footage for “Diamond in the Dunes,” a documentary set in an area of western desert area of the country that was only conquered by the Chinese government in 1949.

Read More at Capitol Weekly >
There have been 20 comments posted in response to this story.

Tue, 11/04/2008 - 12:51

Buchanan campaign feeling good on Election Day

By Ben van der Meer, PolitickerCA.com Senior Reporter

Optimism was the topic in Assembly District 15 Tuesday morning, as the campaign manager for Democratic candidate Joan Buchanan described final efforts to get supporters to the polls.

"We've got an army of volunteers out walking and talking to people, and we've got phone banks calling people too," said Jeff Gozzo.

Though much of Northern California saw rainy weather over the last few days before the election, Gozzo said that didn't slow any campaign volunteers.

There have been 39 comments posted in response to this story.
Thu, 10/30/2008 - 14:51

Buchanan airs attack ad on Wilson in AD 15

By Ben van der Meer, PolitickerCA.com Senior Reporter

The campaign for 15th Assembly District candidate Joan Buchanan has begun airing an attack ad against Republican opponent Abram Wilson, but good luck finding it anywhere other than your TV set.

The 30-second commercial criticizing Wilson for his spending and votes on fees as mayor of San Ramon began airing in the last week in both the Sacramento and Bay Area TV markets, but is nowhere to be found on either Buchanan's Web site or YouTube.

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There have been 10 comments posted in response to this story.
Wed, 10/22/2008 - 20:05

Democrats file complaint over Wilson ads

By Ben van der Meer, PolitickerCA.com Senior Reporter

A consultant working with the state Democratic party said she's filed a complaint with the FCC over commercials Republican Abram Wilson is running in his 15th Assembly District campaign.

Robin Swanson of Swanson Communications said the commercials state that they're paid for by Wilson's Assembly campaign, when the California Republican Party actually paid for them.

The reason, she said, is so that Wilson, the mayor of San Ramon, can avoid running as a Republican in a district that favors Democrats in voter registration.

There have been 31 comments posted in response to this story.
Sun, 10/19/2008 - 18:47

Feinstein endorses Buchanan in AD 15

By Ben van der Meer, PolitickerCA.com Senior Reporter

Joan Buchanan received an endorsement in her Assembly race Saturday from one of the most consistently popular politicians in California.

U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-San Francisco) endorsed Buchanan, a Democrat, over Republican Abram Wilson, the mayor of San Ramon. Buchanan is a school board member from Alamo.

The endorsement noted that Buchanan is also supported by other local Democratic elected officials such as U.S. Reps. Jerry McNerney (D-Pleasanton) and Ellen Tauscher (D-Walnut Creek) and state Senator Tom Torlakson (D-Antioch).

There have been 43 comments posted in response to this story.
Tue, 10/14/2008 - 17:51

Democrats see trends in their favor in several Assembly races

By Ben van der Meer, PolitickerCA.com Senior Reporter

SACRAMENTO - The sliding economy and other factors are giving a lift to Democrats in key legislative races that are coming down to the wire, according to consultants working with those races.

In polls that ask whether likely voters would vote for a generic Democrat or Republican in five state Assembly districts with open seats, Democrats get the nod in all five.

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There have been 37 comments posted in response to this story.
Mon, 10/06/2008 - 14:28

Wilson talks energy in new TV ad

By Ben van der Meer, PolitickerCA.com Senior Reporter

San Ramon Mayor Abram Wilson has released a new commercial pushing his energy plan, part of his campaign to keep the 15th Assembly District in Republican hands.

The commercial features Wilson walking around a park and talking about his support for wind and solar power, as well as the need for more offshore oil drilling.

"We can lower energy prices and protect our environment," Wilson says in the ad, which does not mention his opponent, Alamo Democrat Joan Buchanan.

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There have been 12 comments posted in response to this story.
Fri, 09/19/2008 - 16:34

Wilson gets endorsements from chambers of commerce

By Ben van der Meer, PolitickerCA.com Senior Reporter

Assembly candidate Abram Wilson made note of a new endorsement Friday, pointing out that the San Ramon Chamber of Commerce endorsed Democratic opponent Joan Buchanan during the primary, but endorsed him for the general election.

"We need a policy that attracts businesses instead driving them away with burdensome regulations and higher taxes," said San Ramon Mayor Wilson, a Republican, in a press release.

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There have been 35 comments posted in response to this story.
Thu, 08/21/2008 - 18:14

Buchanan unveils new website

By Ben van der Meer, PolitickerCA.com Senior Reporter

State Assembly candidate Joan Buchanan has unveiled an overhauled website as she moves into what's expected to be a hotly contested race in the 15th Assembly District.

The new site features a different layout and an easier way to join the campaign as a volunteer or donor, according to an e-mail Buchanan's campaign sent to supporters.

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There have been 35 comments posted in response to this story.
Thu, 07/03/2008 - 14:44

Results show Wilson win in 15th Assembly District primary

By Ben van der Meer, PolitickerCA.com Senior Reporter

Certified results from the Contra Costa County's elections office make Abram Wilson the winner of the Republican primary in the California 15th Assembly District.

Wilson, the mayor of San Ramon, won by about 300 votes over Robert Rao, a small businessman from Livermore.  That gave Wilson about 30 percent of the vote and Rao 29.5 percent.

Two other candidates, Judy Lloyd and Scott Kamena, finished third and fourth, respectively.

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There have been 10 comments posted in response to this story.