The rumor around the Young Republican candidate forum last Thursday is that 64AD Candidate Angel Sanchez will be announcing his withdrawal from the race within the week.  Apparently, all that is left is to call his donors and thank them for their support.

Angel is a great activist and a dedicated Republican who has always been there for the Riverside County YR's, so the fact that he did not attend the candidate forum makes this blogger believe that the rumor is true.

It's really a loss for the party in my opinion.  Angel is a conservative's conservative who is passionate on illegal immigration, tax relief and protecting family values. Plus, with Bonnie Garcia being termed out, we could use some reinforcements for our Assembly Republican Hispanic Caucus.

Luckily, another long-time Riverside Republican activist recently threw his hat in the ring.  The club went ahead and endorsed Brian Nestande over John Pate and Kelly McCarthy

In 1994, Brian accepted the position of campaign manager for Sonny Bono's congressional race. After this victory, Brian followed the new Congressman, Sonny Bono, to Washington, DC. Brian served as chief of staff to Congressman Bono during the exciting times of the republican revolution led by the Speaker Newt Gingrich.

Nestande also served as Congresswoman Mary Bono's chief of staff from 1998 through 2000. He then returned to California to start a consulting practice.