Source: SB Sun
Tea party groups across the country clearly played some part in November's Republican surge, but pinning down the role they played and the role they will play in California politics is tricky.
Local groups saw their influence in a few races and even helped win a few, but statewide, Republicans fared poorly, and tea party groups seemed to be a nonfactor. Changes in how state elections are run could make tea parties less influential in 2012.
"I thought the tea party momentum built up and was victorious, and then when it hit the California border, it came to a screeching halt," said Kelly Good, organizer of the Chino Hills Tea Party. "California is very, very blue. But we had little victories here and there."
Indeed, two local candidates backed by tea party groups managed to overcome more experienced, better-known and better-funded candidates in June's primary elections.
Neither Assemblyman Tim Donnelly, R-Claremont, nor Assemblyman Mike Morrell, R-Rancho Cucamonga, had ever held elective office before winning their primaries. Both beat more established Republican candidates with the help of tea party members.
And because they ran in Republican-controlled districts, they sailed through the November election.
Read more at
http://www.sbsun.com/localcolleges/ci_16939377