This came ver the transm fro the Steve Poizner for Governor campaign:

Tom Fuentes Endorses Poizner at Western CPAC
Chairman Emeritus of the Orange County GOP Backs Poizner for Governor

Thomas A. Fuentes, the Chairman Emeritus of the Republican Party of Orange County, announced his endorsement of Steve Poizner for Governor at the 2009 Western Conservative Political Action Conference over the weekend. Fuentes served as Chairman of the Republican Party of Orange County from 1984 to 2004, building the area into one of the most Republican counties in the nation and establishing it as the bellwether county for determining Republican nominees in statewide elections.

“As one of the most distinguished and successful Republican leaders from Orange County, Tom Fuentes is invaluable to the grassroots focus of my campaign. Known for his commitment and passion for core conservative values, Tom’s endorsement continues the momentum we have been building in drawing conservative leaders throughout California to join our team,” said Poizner. “Orange County is vital to winning the Republican nomination and I am thankful to have Tom’s support in spreading my plan to create jobs and reignite the economy to voters throughout the county and California.”

Speaking to the Western CPAC, Tom Fuentes made the following remarks:

"As I, like one of you, look to support a candidate for Governor of California, I look for an individual of courage, with a keen sense of decency and a desire for real reform. I look for a candidate who will listen to his party and who will work with our conservative legislators for the people of our state. I look for a candidate who is committed to family and traditional values and who is not afraid to stand with us who have children and grandchildren about whom we care most. I believe that I have found that courageous and energetic candidate in my friend Steve Poizner.

"Most importantly, I know that Steve will listen to the advice and counsel of you, the engaged and active conservatives in the shaping of the policy and the formulation of his careful decisions in his leadership of the Golden State. So while the Western Conservative Political Action Conference, as Chairman Lacy would say, is a non-partisan organization and does not endorse candidates, it is my great personal pleasure, this afternoon, as I am with you, to tell you that today my friends, that I am endorsing Steve Poizner for my party’s nomination for Governor. I will work vigorously with you in this election and in the months ahead. You and I deserve to have Steve Poizner as our Governor. More importantly, so do our children and our grandchildren.

I give you the next Governor of California, Steve Poizner.”

To view video of Tom’s remarks, click here.

That's a pretty major endorsement for Poizner. Tom Fuentes is a living institution of OC conservatism who's contacts and relationships within the OC Republican community run wide and deep. Gaining his imprimatur helps Poizner in his quest to position himselfas a conservative.