Thread: CA:Father of murder suspect Nunez files for state Senate

February 5, 2009
Fabian Núñez files for state Senate

Former Speaker Fabian Núñez, who termed out of the state Assembly last fall, has filed paperwork to make a Sacramento comeback as a state senator.

Núñez, 42, was the longest serving speaker of the term-limits era and developed a close relationship with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger as they teamed together in 2006 to pass landmark global warming legislation, a hike in the minimum wage and a prescription drug package.

In 2008, Núñez pushed a ballot measure, Proposition 93, to extend his and other incumbent lawmakers' terms in office. Voters defeated the initiative at the polls.

This week, he filed paperwork to fill the seat of termed-out Sen. Gil Cedillo in 2010. Cedillo's seat could be vacated even sooner, as the Los Angeles Democrat is running for Congress to replace Rep. Hilda Solis, who President Barack Obama has tapped as labor secretary.

Núñez would be a prohibitive favorite, should he run. His campaign treasury was stuffed with nearly $5 million as of the end of 2008.

The filing could also simply be a place to legally store all that campaign cash. Many former leaders keep accounts open for races in which few if anyone expects them to compete.

For example, former Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata, former Senate GOP leader Dick Ackerman, former Senate GOP leader Jim Brulte and former Assembly Speaker Herb Wesson each have accounts open to run for the Board of Equalization in 2010. Few expect any of them to actually run.

Since he left office, Núñez joined the PR firm Mercury Public Affairs and the board of directors of Zenith National Insurance Corp.

The Núñez family has come upon hard times, as his son, Esteban Armando Núñez, was arrested in December in connection

Fun fact: JoinCalifornia, a site dedicated to California election history, says Núñez, if he does run and win, would be the first speaker to be elected to the state Senate in more than 80 years. The last was Frank F. Merriam.

Who was the last speaker to try? Ex-Speaker James W. Silliman, who ran -- and lost -- in a special election in 1955, according to JoinCalifornia.

Photo: Then-Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez holds his last press availability at the State Capitol as Speaker of the Assembly, Tuesday May 6, 2008. Credit: Sacramento Bee/ Brian Baer
Posted by Shane Goldmacher

Comments: 24 Showing:

* [@Nyx.AdditionalAuthorInfo@]
dan_s1942 wrote on 02/05/2009 06:15:50 PM:

These suckers can't get a job in the private sector, did he apply for a job with BHO? Or is he not a TAX CHEAT?
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* [@Nyx.AdditionalAuthorInfo@]
tomatoman1 wrote on 02/05/2009 06:03:52 PM:

His wine cellar must need replenishing.
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* [@Nyx.AdditionalAuthorInfo@]
csicathy wrote on 02/05/2009 05:52:22 PM:

In a time of extremely bad news this is the worst.
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* [@Nyx.AdditionalAuthorInfo@]
SAILOR_JERRY wrote on 02/05/2009 04:32:56 PM:

Like a Bad Rash you cant get rid of. Yes Sir may I have another! When a crook see's a sucker. He latches on and stays till he has cleaned out everything that sucker has. So He will be in California Politics for a long time and you are going to take it like a Good Taxpayer should Mister!
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Trooper47 wrote on 02/05/2009 04:17:58 PM:

So he's filing to run in "One Bill Gil's" district. Why can't we get a body into a position that will rid this state of illegals? He would probably follow Cedillo's one and only quest - to give drivers' licenses to illegals. Makes me want to puke! I'm going to retire and move to another state. It all just makes me SICK!!!!!!
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pressto wrote on 02/05/2009 04:08:42 PM:

What is so sad is that because of the district this criminal is running in and the fact he has a D after his name he will get elected by a landslide.
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skimmerrch wrote on 02/05/2009 02:59:39 PM:

All you taxpayers are nothing but whiners. As a politician, you need not worry about money for yourself, jobs for your family members that are just a phone call favor away, and losing your medical and dental benefits. Yes, you whiners should accept and place the blame upon yourselves for not having the brains to become a politician. If you all had, you'd be rich and could care less about others. Oh by the way, don't forget to vote for me AGAIN on the next election.
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Paris_Hilton wrote on 02/05/2009 02:52:25 PM:

Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. --Albert Einstein
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Harold wrote on 02/05/2009 02:21:39 PM:

Probably wants the campaign cash for a defense fund for his murderous son. Nunez should just go away, far far away and never come back. He is such a scumbag.
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ameriland wrote on 02/05/2009 02:14:53 PM:

And you sheep wonder why California is a nightmare fiscally. You deserve it, you want it, you adore politicans selling your futures down the river.....you will continue to swim up river the rest of your lives.
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http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/ca ... 19304.html

This is why we are in such trouboe. The naive idiots in this state will vote that crook in. He runs in hispanic districts and promises lollipops.