The Record's Calaveras & Lode Blog

Jose Hernandez wants to list “astronaut” behind his name on ballots as he runs for Congress in the 10th Congressional District. A lawsuit is challenging that on the basis that he is not currently an astronaut and hasn’t been for several years. Of course, the result of the lawsuit is just that Jose’s status as a former astronaut gets more media attention and it gives the Hernandez campaign an excuse to post this video on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQSD9UTgwcA

The video has almost no text, except at the end the words: “Jose Hernandez is an astronaut.” The lawsuit, which was filed on behalf of Mike Dillman of Manteca, does not dispute that Hernandez was formerly an astronaut.

Now, the interesting question is, will the lawsuit actually do any good for the non-astronaut candidates such as Congressman Jeff Denham, an agricultural plastics businessman. If the lawsuit succeeds, will not having the word “astronaut” behind Hernandez’s name on the ballot make up for all the news stories and the video?

Almost everybody was a farmer Tuesday night as area politicians spoke at Chez Shari in Manteca to a meeting of the South San Joaquin County Republicans.

“I’m a family farmer. A small business owner,” said Ricky Gill, candidate in the 9th Congressional District.

“I grew up farming,” said Congressman Jeff Denham, who currently represents the 19th Congressional District but who is running this year in the newly-drawn 10th.

“I’m basically a Kansas farm boy,” said Tracy City Councilman Bob Elliott, who is running for San Joaquin County’s 5th Supervisorial District.

Assemblyman Bill Berryhill, who currently owns and operates several farms, didn’t bother reminding anyone he’s a farmer. Berryhill is running for state senate.

Leroy Ornellas, a San Joaquin County Supervisor who’s running for state senate, mentioned his dairy farmer status only in passing. “If you see a slight limp, a Holstein heifer stepped on my foot a couple days ago.”

That limp may be worth something, if ties to the land give street cred to politicians in our area. It shows that Ornellas not only owns a farm, but currently works on it. Others, by necessity, have to be farther from the day-to-day operations. Gill, for example, is currently a law student. His parents are both physicians, although the family does own farm land. Elliott  is a retired green beret who currently works in nuclear reactor maintenance for Westinghouse. Both Denham and Berryhill have full time duties as elected leaders.

Still, emphasizing rural roots and rugged work puts the local pols in good company. Images of Ronald Reagan chopping wood, or Abe Lincoln’s log-cabin childhood probably stick with us better than the details of the military and industrial policies they followed. Note to self: Ask Gill if he conducts his law studies by lamp light in a hand-hewn frontier cabin.

Bill Berryhill, a Republican who currently represents the 26th Assembly District, is running for the newly drawn 5th Senate District. Like all candidates, Berryhill is raising money for the campaign. Here’s a list of what donors can get for various prices at a lunch reception for Berryhill to be held Jan. 27 at the DoubleTree Hotel in Modesto:

$3,900 VIP Max Out — includes a private session with Bill from 11-11:30 a.m., signage and recognition at the event, priority seating.

$1,500 Sponsor — Signage and recognition at the event. Priority seating.

$750 Table — Recognition at the event and priority seating for ten people

$60 individual ticket — contributions go to the Bill Berryhill campaign.

If interested in attending, go to www.billberryhill.com or call (916) 669-9372