It was a tense situation on the evening of April 8 in the Republican Party of San Diego County headquarters. The failed attempt to secure an endorsement for State Assembly by Carl DeMaio had left his ally, then party chair Paula Whitsell, in a precarious position. Despite the efforts of his negotiators, including Corey Gustafson, DeMaio could not secure the endorsement he sought, leading to a dramatic turn of events.
DeMaio’s turbulent history with former allies and friends in San Diego has long been marked by intense disagreements. However, his influence as a former City Councilmember, talk-radio host, and candidate for mayor and congress has kept him in a prominent position within the Republican Party. That is until this week, when his actions led to a rift within the Central Committee, resulting in a significant shift of support away from him.
Following failed negotiations, an agreement was reached between DeMaio and the party, which he ultimately broke. This breach of trust has sparked a wave of support for his opponent, Andrew Hayes, in the race for the 75th Assembly District seat, currently held by Republican Assemblymember Marie Waldron.
The Background: Prior to April 8, Whitsell attempted to transfer the party’s endorsement from Hayes to DeMaio, citing his primary win. Parties have significant power in supporting endorsed candidates through various means, and the endorsement switch would have had a substantial impact on the race. However, the move was met with resistance from Republicans across the county.
Ultimately, a compromise was reached, with Hayes retaining the endorsement but losing key benefits, while DeMaio agreed to cease his endorsement-seeking efforts. Whitsell also resigned, paving the way for Gustafson to assume the role of party chairman.
The Fallout: DeMaio’s long-standing feud with police officers resurfaced, leading to an ethics complaint filed against him. Allegations of misusing funds for his Assembly campaign further fueled the animosity. The subsequent developments culminated in the breakdown of the agreement between DeMaio and the party, with Gustafson denouncing his actions and declaring support for Hayes.
As tensions escalated, prominent Republicans took sides, highlighting the internal strife within the party. The unfolding drama signaled a significant shift in allegiances, with financial support pouring in for Hayes’ campaign and the Republican Party’s stance solidified against DeMaio.
