Andy Pugno is the prohibitive favorite in AD05.

Andy has already gained the endorsement of AD03 Assemblymember Dan Logue. In addition, former AD05 member Anthony Peschetti endorsed early. However, former AD05 Assemblymember Barbara Alby and sitting AD04 Assemblymember Ted Gaines have added their names to the Pugno bandwagon. These are significant as adjacent districts are lining up behind Pugno. Roger Niello historically never endorses, or when he does - waits until late in the game. However, his two predecessors have endorsed. (Senator Dave Cox is apparently neutral)

Pugno also added Former Folsom Mayor Eric King to his list - signifying that he is breaking through in to the local ranks.

Some out of Area Legislators are on Andy's list as well - Steve Knight and George Runner.

Pugno's donor list is approaching 4,000 people - almost half are from the district and his total is just short of $400K.

Not bad, considering his time is being taken due to idiotic rulings from judges, and the demands of children and a pregnant wife.

Meantime, there are two other Republicans in the race. One of them, Craig DeLuz has been active longer than any other candidate in the AD05 race - however, DeLuz was unable to nail down some of the above endorsements that Pugno landed - endorsements deemed critical to anyone running for office in this area. Also - news from the DeLuz camp as well is that he is critically short on funds. A third candidate is in the race as well - but their presence at this point can only be seen as a drain against the inevitable.

The pressure to withdraw has been mounting as this blogger has been told by multiple people that Craig is starting to receive calls from friends across the state.

From where I sit, Barring an improbable miracle - Pugno wins the primary easily... It will take too many things going right and a narrow scenario for the primary to resolve itself any other way.

In addition, Pugno is getting attacked in Homosexual blogs daily. Those that scream the loudest for tolerance are writing things on their blogs that are so vile - I can't repeat them. The other problem is that their blogs get blocked by my internet filter for Pornographic content - the distinction could not be more clear in the AD05 race.

The Democrat? Larry Miles - an extremist and reputed to be a self-funder.

The next eight weeks will be interesting only from the following standpoint:

1. Will the pressure to withdraw mount on the other candidates?

2. Will those holding out on endorsing Andy Pugno end the race by joining Alby and Gaines?

3. Will the business interests that have been silent thus far manifest themselves and end the race by endorsing Andy Pugno?

I submit that AD05 is conservative and its' low GOP vote totals had more to do with Arnold and McCain and their watered down Republican values than it ever did with transition... Mr. Miles, if he is as rich as people think, will re-consider the stupidity of wasting his money - if not, then he is as insane as people say he is.