Fresno Assemblyman Leaves Democratic Party - Says Will Be Independent of Either Party (San Francisco: house)

[FresnoFacts]

Assemblyman Juan Arambula (Fresno) has left the Democratic Party. But he did not switch to the Republicans either.

Arambula has declared himself independent of any party. He reregistered as non-partisan. He considers himself a moderate and feels neither party matches his views or those of his district.

Arambula told the Fresno Bee not long ago:
“The special interests have a lot to say about what goes on in both parties. But my real frustration is I can't be effective for my constituents,” Arambula told Editorial Page Editor Jim Boren."

“There are genuine and entrenched labor interests -- CTA, SEIU and the rest of the alphabet soup of labor agencies -- and it's difficult to do anything without running into significant and well-funded opposition,” he added."
Arambula severs ties to Democrats - Updates - fresnobee.com (http://www.fresnobee.com/406/story/1491345.html - broken link)

Three years ago Arambula clashed with the Democratic Leadership over a $37 Billion bond package and was relegated to the smallest office in the Assembly and stripped of committee memberships. He later got out of the "dog house".

I've said before that the Fresno area is probably more moderate and independent than many people realize. Looks like at least this politician feels that way also.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by FresnoFacts

Assemblyman Juan Arambula (Fresno) has left the Democratic Party. But he did not switch to the Republicans either.

Arambula has declared himself independent of any party. He reregistered as non-partisan. He considers himself a moderate and feels neither party matches his views or those of his district.

Arambula told the Fresno Bee not long ago:
“The special interests have a lot to say about what goes on in both parties. But my real frustration is I can't be effective for my constituents,” Arambula told Editorial Page Editor Jim Boren."

“There are genuine and entrenched labor interests -- CTA, SEIU and the rest of the alphabet soup of labor agencies -- and it's difficult to do anything without running into significant and well-funded opposition,” he added."
Arambula severs ties to Democrats - Updates - fresnobee.com (http://www.fresnobee.com/406/story/1491345.html - broken link)

Three years ago Arambula clashed with the Democratic Leadership over a $37 Billion bond package and was relegated to the smallest office in the Assembly and stripped of committee memberships. He later got out of the "dog house".

I've said before that the Fresno area is probably more moderate and independent than many people realize. Looks like at least this politician feels that way also.

That is about like Joe Liberman did last year.
Good for him...

Nita

[NewToCA]

Actually, I think this goes more to the heart of the overall problem in California politics. We have a system that encourages extensive participation by special interest, on BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE. Between the structure encouraging this participation, and selection of candidates who support the agendas, we end up with gridlock.

Can definitely use an approach that encourages more reasonable politicians, all the way around.

[FresnoFacts]

Another article quotes Arambula this way, ""I think I owe it to my constituents to be an independent voice," he said. "My hope is that by becoming an independent that the concerns and the interests of my region will be heard."

Arambula expressed reservations about the Democrats' budget-balancing package, including proposed tax increases on tobacco and oil severance. But he did not say specifically that he planned to vote no.

"I have, in the past, voted for taxes, and I think there is a time and place to do so," he said. "The reality is that we are unlikely to get a two-thirds (vote) to raise taxes, so whether I might support them in limited situations or not is an academic issue...I could vote for additional revenues if we had had done everything we can to reduce the costs." Asked specifically if he felt the state had done so, Arambula said only that "I have a number of concerns on the budget.""
California assemblyman Juan Arambula re-registers as an independent - Latest News - sacbee.com (http://www.sacbee.com/breaking/story/1970145.html - broken link)

FYI, The last independent in either house in Sacramento was Sen. Quentin Kopp from San Francisco in the late 1980s/early 1990s. By being non-partisan he drew support from members of both parties.