This endorsement does not shock me considering Assemblywoman Bonnie Garcia, a former Battin staffer, already endorsed former Assemblyman Russ Bogh, but it is always big to get the endorsement of the termed out legislator you are replacing. 

I am still trying to figure out what seat Sen. Battin will run for next.  It is widely rumored that he could take on Supervisor Roy Wilson, but he also has an account open to run for Lt. Governor.  Either way, Assemblyman Bogh is right, "The Coachella Valley will lose a very, very strong voice..."

Russ Bogh wins incumbent's endorsement in primary race for state Senate seat
10:00 PM PST on Monday, February 18, 2008
By STEVE MOORE
The Press-Enterprise

PALM DESERT - State Sen. Jim Battin, R-La Quinta, is endorsing former Assemblyman Russ Bogh, R-Beaumont, to succeed him in the 37th State Senate District as the primary election approaches.

Battin, who has served 14 years in the Legislature, cannot seek re-election because of the state's term-limits law.

Bogh and Assemblyman John J. Benoit, R-Bermuda Dunes will face off in the June 3 primary.

Battin held a news conference outside his office Monday with Bogh by his side.

Battin called the former assemblyman a "rock solid conservative leader."

Bogh praised Battin's service in office.

"The Coachella Valley will lose a very, very strong voice, and I believe I can replace that voice," he said.

Here is the Desert Sun's take on it with much more detail.

Battin backs Bogh in campaign for state Senate seat
Keith Matheny • The Desert Sun • February 19, 2008

State Sen. Jim Battin has endorsed former Assemblyman Russ Bogh to replace him in his 37th Senate District seat, calling Bogh "a rock-solid conservative leader."

Battin, R-La Quinta, has served the Coachella Valley in the Legislature for 14 years, but cannot run again due to term limits. He made the endorsement announcement with Bogh at his side outside Battin's Palm Desert offices Monday.

Bogh, R-Beaumont, served in the state Assembly from 2001 to 2006, and was named Republican Caucus Chairman during his tenure. Battin noted that he and Bogh collaborated on issues such as budgets and spending.

"I know Russ; I trust him," Battin said. "I know that he is going to be a strong, consistent vote on the conservative principles that I believe in."

Bogh said Battin's endorsement carries significance.

"I believe a lot of people of this district are going to look to Jim Battin because they trust him," he said.

Battin was asked why Bogh and not Assemblyman John Benoit, R-Bermuda Dunes, who also seeks the 37th Senate seat.

"I don't want somebody there who is willing to go along and get along just to get favors or just to be praised by the in-crowd in Sacramento," Battin said.

"Sometimes to do the right thing, you have to do the thing that is not as popular, which is voting no; which is standing up for your principles, and making sure that we don't get into the budget mess that we have. I've looked at Russ' record; I've looked at John's record, and I think Russ is better in that regard."

Benoit took exception.

"Mr. Battin has a right to his opinion," he said. "Obviously, I strongly disagree with the characterization about my fiscal conservatism."

Benoit pointed to 2003 budget negotiating under then-Gov. Gray Davis. Benoit said he worked with leaders in the Legislature to approve a budget without tax increases supported by Democrats - a feat Los Angeles Times political columnist George Skelton then called "a remarkable achievement" due to minority-party Republicans' lack of clout.

"That budget was a very difficult, hard-fought budget, and at the end of the day, we won," Benoit said.

"Russ sat in the corner, said, 'No, no, no,' didn't add anything to it, and now calls that leadership. That's inane."