Republican Candidates for California State Governor Talk Cannabis, Water, and Rural Life at Ukiah Truck Stop

Doug Ose

Doug Ose [Photo by Matt LaFever]

Two candidates vying to replace Governor Gavin Gavin Newsom–Doug Ose and Diego Martinez–spoke to members of the Mendocino County Republicans at Ukiah’s Jensen’s Restaurant on Saturday.

Doug Ose and Diego Martinez both brand themselves as Republicans, but their styles and sentiments represent divergent factions of California’s GOP. Doug Ose’s California political credentials run deep. He served as the representative for the 3rd Congressional District from 1999-2005 and was publicly considering a run for Governor in 2018.

In comparison, Deigo Martinez represents the outsider candidate. With a resume including being a bounty hunter, a bail bondsman, and a car dealership manager, Martinez leaned on his unique background and experience to disrupt the more staid side of the California GOP.

Diego Martinez

Diego Martinez [Photo by Matt LaFever]

Ose, dressed in a blue blazer and khakis, told the audience he was running for governor because in his assessment “this state is in shambles.” He provided a laundry list of grievances including Governor Newsom’s approach towards homelessness. He called recent attempts to address the crisis “band-aids.” He also levied the claim against Newsom’s criminal justice policies saying that they were leading to more criminals being on California’s streets.

Ose seemed to hit his stride when addressing water infrastructure and the drought. He told attendees that the California State government has “refused to do what voters wanted them to do” since the passing of Proposition 1 in 2014. He said this proposition set aside $2.7 billion for new facilities to store and convey water. Instead of dams raised or reservoirs built, Ose said that the state has done nothing but “study the projects to death.”

Regarding cannabis, Ose gave ground and accepted California voters had decided it was here to stay. His big issue with cannabis is the state’s “lack of clarity on a regulatory structure.” Though he considers himself “a big local control guy,” the state’s lack of consistent and cohesive cannabis regulations has led to the state being “overwhelmed by people who refuse to follow the regulatory structure. People that are refusing to are setting up grow sites in public lands, herbicide, or environmental impacts. just enforce the damn law.”

Diego Martinez, dressed in a black, screen-printed shirt bearing his name and a pair of jeans, told the Mendocino County Republicans about his background reenergizing a failing car dealership in Eureka, and running a profitable bail bond company. Citing his background in business, Martinez characterized the state of California as a “failing business” that he could make profitable once again.

Martinez also questioned his opponent Doug Ose’s background in politics. He claimed it was “time for some new blood” and pointed towards Ose as part of the status quo that led California to the state it is in now.

Like Ose, Martinez slammed Governor Newsom’s policies regarding criminal justice going so far as to say, if elected Governor, he would charge Los Angeles County’s controversial District Attorney George Gascón with accessory to murder. Marinez claimed lax policies of criminal justice have led to further deaths.

Regarding cannabis, Martinez said the first impediment to stable regulation of the plant was the fact it is still considered a Schedule 1 drug by the federal government. He also pointed towards a patchwork of regulations interfering with what he considered to be an industry that could bring “employment and revenue to the state.” However, he specifically condemned policies that allow for cannabis to be grown in backyards proposing instead that cannabis be zoned industrial and kept away from neighborhoods.

Martinez argued that California’s solution to the water crisis was in the hands of desalination technologies and water storage infrastructure. He said that on Day 1 of his term as governor he would order two unused desalination plants in Southern California to start pumping throughout the state.

When asked how he would represent the rural counties of California as governor, Martinez said he has shared similar sentiments with residents of rural areas as he had worked in them and hailed from them himself. He pointed towards rural California’s lack of representation in state legislative bodies that create circumstances where “laws are made for us that don’t apply to us and change our way of living.”

Though the two candidates were clearly dissimilar when it came to their credentials and approach, both Ose and Martinez took aim at California’s current homelessness, criminal justice, and water crisis to advance their campaigns and discredit Governor Gavin Newsom

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VMG
Guest
VMG
2 years ago

Well, these two knuckleheads don’t actually appear to have a single qualification between them…

I love the statement: “Just enforce the damn law!”

If we coulda, we woulda…

I suggest, instead of enforcing laws, quit passing them… We got no space in the prison, and, down south, they’re chasing gangs and Fentanyl/Methamphetamine, while Cannabis is grown freely, in plain sight…

We are about to have water wars, the state is overrun with mental health patients and homeless, and he’s fussing about laws?

And one more thing, guys… When Vicodin is outlawed, only Outlaws will have Vicodin…

Remember, if you have surgery, they will give you Ibuprofen… If you do get a Vicodin, it will be 15 pills!

I hope you are not dying of Cancer, but instead of Xanax, you will get Therapy… Instead of Pain Control you will get excuses about how “We can’t prescribe THAT!”, and instead of a freely elected Governor, you will have to listen to lame guys like this pair of deuces, whining about their infantile infatuation with being the leader of the 7th biggest economy in the world…

You might not like Newsom, but he was brought to you through a process of on-the-job training, by some very wealthy individuals, who groomed him for decades, so he could protect their interests, just like every other elected person…

Power can’t simply be won, it has to be bought by somebody who can afford it…

Ernie Branscomb
Guest
2 years ago
Reply to  VMG

VMG
You sound like you must be not quite an Anarchist, but maybe a Libertarian?

I think that we all agree that we are in a bad situation politically, but we still need to vote for what we think is the best for California. I didn’t hear any good advice from you. Do you have any “good” recommendations?

Ibuprofen doesn’t work for me, it gives me an irregular heartbeat. Acetaminophen works best for me. So, we all have different needs, both medically and politically.

VMG
Guest
VMG
2 years ago

The point Ernie, is don’t pass unenforceable laws…

We got 7600 CHP Officers… How many people drive the speed limit?

Newsom ain’t no Wunderkind, but he was elected by the people. The recall process got you a third-rate movie-star Governor who wasn’t even born in this country…

People backed by money are what you have for leaders in Humboldt! Can you imagine the government that Pot Farmers would install in Sacramento?

I got no suggestions for the Government except to tell them that prohibition doesn’t work, ever, and Ose wants to make everything he doesn’t like illegal… Martinez has few thoughts, and he will never be Governor, but look at Arcata:

Another City Councilperson “appointed” to replace the woman who was hired with exactly zero qualifications to be the “Director” of the County Health Services…

This is the kind of thing that needs to be exposed, in the country where the President refused to have his taxes released, and where his personal finances were augmented by a process of conflict of interest unprecedented in history…

Just like in Humboldt.

So yeah, Ernie, Libertarian but not Anarchist, quite, although voting Libertarian is satisfying, for a minute, it’s detached from the reality of Political Process, which is heavily seasoned with Corruption, Nepotism, and Incompetence, which I refer to as the “Holy Trinity” of American Government…

Rio
Guest
Rio
2 years ago
Reply to  VMG

I read the first sentence of your last rant, and your delusion is that you think the people still run the election. Arizona has already proved they cheated and other states are coming

ROTFLOL
Guest
ROTFLOL
2 years ago
Reply to  Rio

Who prooved what now?

Country Joe
Guest
Country Joe
2 years ago
Reply to  Rio

The conspicuous 2020 election fraud is a disgrace to our nation and democracy…

Cmon man get real
Guest
Cmon man get real
2 years ago
Reply to  VMG

You don’t sound very happy. I suggest a permanent trip to somewhere in Polynesia. The surf and ultimate positive vibe is worth it by themselves. Plus all you need is two pairs of board shorts and some slippas. If that wouldn’t make you happy, nothing will.

Xebeche
Guest
Xebeche
2 years ago

Ernie, VMG is a realist.
Everything in his post is proveable

Joe Mota
Guest
Joe Mota
2 years ago
Reply to  VMG

You don’t think being mayor of San Francisco is relevant experience for governor? What about Pete Wilson (mayor of San Diego, then governor). Newsome is not governor because a secret cabal of wealthy Democrats “groomed” him, as though California voters are a pack of dimwits who can be easily fooled. He’s governor because he’s intelligent and dynamic and nobody better was running.

Mile
Guest
Mile
2 years ago
Reply to  Joe Mota

He’s governor because he hasn’t been named yet on Epstein island. And yes voters are a pack of dimwits that are easily manipulated, i give you the current and last president as examples.

VMG
Guest
VMG
2 years ago
Reply to  Mile

Agree, although the statement “nobody better was running” accurately applies here…

Americans are so easily manipulated that you can sell them anything, make them fight in wars, make them work for $15/hour, make them support tight regulation on the one side, while participating in the “pirate economy” on the other…

In short, Americans probably don’t know whether to shit or go blind, but they will feel strongly about the weirdest things, like Subarus and Vaccines, and “government plots”…

And there is a government plot, the one that keeps you slaving and paying taxes, consuming mass quantities of shit that you don’t need, like V8 Pickups and life insurance…

It’s a crazy world, and although you pay for “health insurance”, if you use it you will find that you still get the bill, pay for “precsription drug insurance” that not only doesn’t pay the bill and then your doctor won’t prescribe the drugs you want, because the government is fighting an unwinnable war against yet another drug, which they already failed to control…

There’s no win here, one guy some don’t like, or some other guy nobody will like… Incompetence rises to the top in our country, and, the rich made Newsom rich, his debt is to serve their interests before he resumes his personal life of cashiering his wives and running his businesses…

For nobody is any better than anyone else, and that’s the point of America: You wrestle with life for whatever matters, work for what you want, save and invest, and build your own world…

Cowards who want too many laws to protect them are all reminded that nobody feels safe, anybody who wants to kill themself probably will, and many, many human traits are perfectly uncontrollable, and that there is no real order or plan to the universe: just chaos as a general rule…

Who should be elected? Probably nobody…

ILoveplants
Guest
ILoveplants
2 years ago
Reply to  VMG

Elect LARRY ELDER!!!! Vote for the BLACK GUY!!

mr. Grant
Guest
2 years ago
Reply to  ILoveplants

I saw an interview with Mr. Elder and he came across as a common sense person. I will definitively vote for Mr. Elder.

Mr. Grant
Guest
2 years ago
Reply to  ILoveplants

I watched an interview with Mr. Elder. Very knowledgeable and with common sense approach to California’s problems. I will be voting for Mr. Elder.

Rattie Norcal
Guest
Rattie Norcal
2 years ago
Reply to  ILoveplants

OJ Simpson was black too.

I like stars
Guest
I like stars
2 years ago
Reply to  Rattie Norcal

Is he a different color now?

suspence
Guest
suspence
2 years ago
Reply to  VMG

While I agree with some of you opinions, all of the points in all your long-winded posts are mostly just that, opinions, which you state as facts and indicates a lack of humility coupled with narrow-mindedness.

Razzmoist
Guest
2 years ago
Reply to  Mile

Trump was at epstein island.

Mile
Guest
Mile
2 years ago
Reply to  Razzmoist

As far as I’ve seen there hasn’t been any claims that trump was at the island, yet. He was on his plane, but it didn’t fly to Epstein island. Doesn’t mean he wasn’t ever there though. Plenty of others were seen there.

Neverlayup
Guest
Neverlayup
2 years ago
Reply to  Razzmoist

Duh! No he wasn’t! You need a history lesson

HotCoffee
Guest
HotCoffee
2 years ago
Reply to  Joe Mota

Gavin turned SF into a toilet, just like he’s doing to Ca.
What kind of idiot tells all the homeless in the country to move to Ca.?
At least Larry Elder has listened to the people on his radio show, and Ca. would have it’s first black governor.
Elder is the one Gavin fears most, that’s why they made it so hard for him to get on the ballot.

Rattie Norcal
Guest
Rattie Norcal
2 years ago
Reply to  HotCoffee

WWJD about the homeless? Don’t ask Rev. Elder!

Vicodin's My Go-to
Guest
Vicodin's My Go-to
2 years ago
Reply to  VMG

The grass isn’t always greener on the other side.

Dave Kirby
Guest
Dave Kirby
2 years ago
Reply to  VMG

The polls are pretty consistent. Right now the folks supporting the recall are pretty much the same group who voted for Trump. Their numbers are holding 35 % plus or minus. The Democrats are worried that a lot of people think this is a walkover for Newsom and will not come out to vote. The Republicans have historically excelled at turning out what votes they have. The fact is there is no candidate that has any real plan to deal with some of the big issues like the growing homeless problem and I’m not sure there is an easy answer to many of the real problems that are defining our times. The disturbing thing is that if Newsom is dumped the California recall laws could allow a candidate with a small fraction of the total votes to be governor as the remaining candidates only require a plurality in a big field to elect.

curlybill
Guest
curlybill
2 years ago

Vote NO on the recall.

Lulz
Guest
Lulz
2 years ago

Larry Elder has my vote.

Lulz
Guest
Lulz
2 years ago

This is a great introduction to Larry Elder if you are still on the fence.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1xoDvfJK5yE

Country Joe
Guest
Country Joe
2 years ago
Reply to  Lulz

Thanks for the info on Larry Elder. Here he announces he’s running for governor and why…He has huge support…https://youtu.be/peyEFNbEVcY

Lulz
Guest
Lulz
2 years ago

How long does it normally take for comments to appear? Am I in trouble?

Kym Kemp
Admin
2 years ago
Reply to  Lulz

Sorry, family emergency. Things are likely to be slow for a few days.

Guest
Guest
Guest
2 years ago
Reply to  Kym Kemp

Godspeed

Prometheus
Guest
Prometheus
2 years ago
Reply to  Kym Kemp

All the best…

Jim’s Guest Is Someone Else’s Wife
Guest
Jim’s Guest Is Someone Else’s Wife
2 years ago
Reply to  Kym Kemp

Prayers to you and yours, Kym.

Rattie Norcal
Guest
Rattie Norcal
2 years ago

Naah, Martinez, we voted to grow Cannabis in our backyards. See?

Bail Bondsmen like arrests. Profit.

John
Guest
John
2 years ago

Khaki trousers and a blue blazer; experience as representative of the Third Congressional District. T-shirt and jeans; bounty hunter, bail bondsman, car dealer. Hmm . . .

dogglife
Guest
dogglife
2 years ago
Reply to  John

Was that a used car dealership?

HotCoffee
Guest
HotCoffee
2 years ago

Quote….https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2021/jun/30/landlords-supreme-court-gave-property-owners-victo/

Landlord groups are calling the Supreme Court’s move this week in their challenge of the federal government’s evictions moratorium a “victory,” saying the majority of the justices recognized that the government exceeded its authority during the COVID-19 pandemic.

On Tuesday, five of the nine justices voted to leave the evictions moratorium in place until July 31. But Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh, who voted with the majority, said he thought the government had reached too far.

“This is a massive victory for property rights,” said Charlie Oppler, president of the National Association of Realtors, which supported the high court legal battle.

end quote

My question… So how can Gavin extend it till Sept. 30th?
Is it because he thinks it will help him with the recall?

Mile
Guest
Mile
2 years ago
Reply to  HotCoffee

You see it’s very simple, states are allowed to make their own laws and policy’s, unless of course those laws or policy’s are from a another state that offends liberals, then it’s not ok.

Prometheus
Guest
Prometheus
2 years ago
Reply to  HotCoffee

Yes…Newsome is desperate to maintain his power and control, while ignoring his own mandates.

Vote Elder
Guest
Vote Elder
2 years ago

Vote for Larry Elder. He is going to get my vote. Great guy, good ideas and solid stances.

Support Elder
Guest
Support Elder
2 years ago
Reply to  Vote Elder

Millions of disillusioned and alienated Californians agree with you…Larry Elder for Governor
On September 14th we have a chance to take back California by voting “Yes” on the recall and voting for Larry (Laurence) Elder….https://youtu.be/peyEFNbEVcY

HotCoffee
Guest
HotCoffee
2 years ago

So now Jackie Spiers is equating Trump voters with Jim Jones cultists.

Another case of accusing someone of what they are themselves?

So, I took a look back at the Jones cultists…. here at the AVA.
snip

Linda Sharon Amos was always talking up Jones and trying to get our gang of militant atheists to drive over to Redwood Valley for a Peoples Temple service. She kept talking about how wonderful the inter-racialness of the congregation was. I thought I was way ahead of the curve on race relations, frankly, having played sports with all kinds of people as a kid, having been peacefully in the Marines with all kinds of people, the best man at my wedding having been black, having been a gofer at CORE San Francisco, and having been an all-round cool guy since youth, ethnically speaking. think I needed any special counseling on the issue; this was one guilt-free white man, madam. At least in his own eyes.

Everything Ms. Amos told me about Jones screamed, “Nut!”

In her capacity as a social worker, Ms. Amos incriminated herself further with an indignant story she told me about one of the kids on her case load. It has served me ever since as a perfect example of the kind of personality deficit cults absolutely require if they are to thrive. When I heard she’d slaughtered her own daughters and then herself I wasn’t really surprised but I marvelled at her self-discipline.
snip

Jones lied about being threatened by “racists” in the Ukiah Valley, and kept on lying about the prevalence of American racism right up to the day the great emancipator murdered 800 black people, including a bunch of kids signed over to him by the ever-accommodating Mendo authorities who had given him his base of operations even though at least some of them knew he was crazy and dangerous.

snip

Perhaps we should pause here to salute the Democratic Party of Northern California for their edifying role in the Jonestown murders, not that Jones wasn’t a bipartisan effort from the get-go. The fact is Jones parlayed race, and the liberal votes that go with race, into cash and carry political power. A socialist, even a Christian socialist, would have yelled loud and long about the structural causes of American poverty. Not Jones. Or Dianne Feinstein, Willy Brown, Cecil Williams, or George Moscone. Jones worked them, and they worked Jones.

The Examiner, not so incidentally as things would turn out, killed stories on weird doings in Jones’ enterprise because Jones’ interracial congregation, cheered on by San Francisco’s liberal establishment, picketed the Examiner Building as Jones himself threatened to sue for libel. The Examiner caved in. Nothing but accounts of the Rev’s good works could appear in its pages. The truth came out in the now defunct California magazine.

Plenty more

https://www.theava.com/archives/102841

They sure have pushed the racist card over the cliff.
After being shot over the folly of the Dems and Jim Jones she dares to go there again.

Country Joe
Guest
Country Joe
2 years ago
Reply to  HotCoffee

Chronic TDS is a mental disease…

Country Joe
Guest
Country Joe
2 years ago
Reply to  HotCoffee

Jackie Spiers suffers from chronic TDS, which is a mental disease causing perpetual hate and consternation.

Deplorables Unite
Guest
Deplorables Unite
2 years ago

Larry Elder, is the America First candidate. I’ll be voting for him.

Rattie Norcal
Guest
Rattie Norcal
2 years ago

If the Deplorable Destroyer Delta doesn’t get you first.