Local News in Brief : La Follette Fails to Oust Wright From Panel
Assemblywoman Marian W. La Follette (R-Northridge) said Monday after a meeting of Republican lawmakers that she was unable to muster the votes necessary to replace Assemblywoman Cathie Wright (R-Simi Valley) on the powerful Assembly Rules Committee.
La Follette described the situation as a standoff, with another meeting of the Assembly Republican Caucus planned later this week or next to discuss the issue. In the meantime, several GOP members are expected to continue to pressure Wright to resign her committee seat, La Follette said. So far, Wright has refused.
The 33-member GOP caucus last week narrowly voted to rescind Wright’s appointment to the committee because she had failed to follow the caucus position to support a dissident Democrat, who last month challenged Assembly Speaker Willie Brown (D-San Francisco).
Assemblyman Stan Statham (R-Oak Run) said only about 20 of the GOP lawmakers showed up for Monday’s meeting. Statham said that if he were in Wright’s shoes, “I wouldn’t let people push me around.”
Wright did not attend the latest party caucus. Wright said she saw “no reason for me to be there. I don’t need any more Cathie bashing.” She added that she hopes her critics drop their challenge.
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