Last night at the Temecula Hills Country Club the atmosphere was charged.  Everyone anticipated at the very least an animated contest.  Russ Bogh had routinely worn his CRA score card rating as a badge of honor, and who could blame him, the CRA is the conscience of the Republican Party and highly sought after for support and endorsement.

Well clearly the sparks flew as Bogh levelled one jab after the next at Assemblyman Emmerson.  Not surprisingly Emmerson was cool headed and took all of Bogh's personal attacks in stride.  Bogh accused Emmerson of supporting abortion, illegal immigration and raising taxes.  Serious charges indeed, but were they substantive?

One would have to ask themselves just how in the world Emmerson remained in office if that were his record.  Well to be clear the attacks were baseless and false.  Emmerson's record as a strong conservative shined through Bogh's simplistic rhetoric and the esteemed delegates of the CRA saw through his thin veneer as well.

In just the first round of voting Assemblyman Bill Emmerson soundly defeated Bogh by a vote of 14 to 4.  Just a few weeks ago Assemblyman Emmerson soundly defeated Bogh recieving the endorsement of our own organization to which Bogh responded in the following manner:

"Russ Bogh for State Senate Here's a great example of what we need to fix in our Party. A Republican club (RCYR) that's been hijacked by political operatives attacks conservative Republican Russ Bogh to paper over the liberal voting record of the person its supporting. Shameful and destructive to our Party."

That would add up to about 50 or more political operatives in RCYR that participated in the endorsement and not all voted for Emmerson.  Well, after last evenings endorsement, it all sounds like sour grapes.  Attacking well established republican organizations that don't support you is yet another example of the ill will bestowed on many in Riverside County by Bogh after he lost his last election. 

Nobdy likes a sore loser.  Bogh has attempted to sue every political opponent he's run against to get into office and has offensively attacked members and organizations personally for choosing to support another candidate.  Can we be surprised that he's been suspected of using his one past political office to gain favorable contracts for his family business...in the district he represented?

It's no surprise that Republicans once again united to support Assemblyman Bill Emmerson for Senate, congratulations!

-Nathan Miller, President RCYR