Fresno Mayor Ashley Swearengin, who is running for state controller, and secretary of state candidate Pete Peterson, executive director of Pepperdine University’s Davenport Institute for Public Engagement and Civic Leadership, are two Republicans who fall into this camp.
Both are bright, hardworking and favor clear-eyed analysis over hysteria, political stunts and tea party talking points. Both are the GOP’s best hopes for winning election to statewide office come November. And both are in their party’s doghouse for not endorsing or expressing reservations about the other Republican statewide candidates at last weekend’s California GOP convention.
Knowing that they must appeal to moderate Democrats and moderate independents to win, Swearengin and Peterson made the smart choice to signal their interest in attracting bipartisan support. Voters without a party preference make up 23.1% of California registered voters.
Swearengin’s and Peterson’s strategy might not prove to be a winning one. But it should be another wake-up call to the leaders of California’s shrinking Republican Party that it needs to attract and support candidates who more closely reflect the values and aspirations of a majority of the state’s residents.
http://www.fresnobee.com/2014/09/23/4140453_editorial-swearengin-shows-her.html?sp=/99/274/&rh=1