◼ The campaign of firebrand tea party politician Tim Donnelly, seeking to become California’s next governor, is gaining steam despite controversial remarks about his opponent and a dearth of campaign funds, according to the Los Angeles Times. - Newsmax
...His slogan: "Patriot not Politician" and his message – "a gun in every Californian’s gun safe … the government out of our businesses and our bedrooms" – has resonated with many in The Golden State as Donnelly has rocketed in the polls to become the GOP’s front-runner to unseat Gov. Jerry Brown, a Democrat. The California primary is June 3.
It’s a political conundrum to many Republicans, including Rep. Darrell Issa and former Gov. Pete Wilson, both of whom have denounced him....
Even GOP bulwark Karl Rove warns that a Donnelly victory could hurt the party. Rove told the Times that Republicans will "be forced to disavow" Donnelly if he’s the candidate to face Brown in the general election.
Despite all the negatives, Donnelly continues to soar. Claremont McKenna College government professor Jack Pitney, who is a former GOP national operative, characterized the campaign as a "guerrilla operation" that defies historical trends.
Donnelly, Pitney explained, is "communicating with people by social media, talking to groups, campaigning on the grapevine."
Donnelly agrees, telling the Times that he’s excited to see if the little guy without deep pockets can prevail over the well-financed party favorite.
"I think on June 3 we're going to find out if grass roots is something more than just a little bit of cream frosting on top of a wonderful carrot cake, and if it can be a serious part — even the backbone — of a campaign," he said....
◼ Jerry Brown, Tim Donnelly lead California governor's race, poll finds - LA Times
...Donnelly leads GOP rival Neel Kashkari, a former banker and U.S. Treasury official with a more centrist agenda, by a 2-to-1 margin, according to the poll....
