Dean Florez

For a number of reasons, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger isn't likely to take a position in the Obama administration even if offered one, said a political science professor at California State University, Sacramento.

Too many factors here and on the national front make it a less-than-ideal fit, said Tim Hodson, director of the university's Center for California Studies.

After bucking her party Monday to endorse the Republican seeking to replace her in the Assembly, Nicole Parra (D-Hanford) said she's not ruling out a future run for office as an independent.

Parra, termed out of the state Assembly this year, endorsed Danny Gilmore Monday morning over Democrat and Shafter Mayor Fran Florez, member of a political family that's feuded with Parra.

State Sen. Dean FlorezDENVER -- State Sen. Dean Florez told members of the 441-member California Democratic Party earlier Monday that he predicts the Golden State will play a much larger role in this fall's presidential election than just that of campaign checkbook.

"Make no mistake, California will be a bellwether state in this election," Florez (D-Shafter) told the excited audience.

Echoing Florez in a separate interview a few moments later was U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee. Lee had, perhaps, a less optimistic take on California's role in the election.

Kern County Supervisor Michael Rubio said a 2010 run for state Senate is a logical progression in his political career, and he's not concerned that rival and Assembly member Nicole Parra (D-Hanford) is also interested in the race.

Rubio, who unseated Parra's father to get onto the board of supervisors, said he also believes he'd have the backing of current 16th District Senator Dean Florez (D-Shafter), whom he called his political mentor.

Although 2008's hot legislative races haven't been decided yet, 2010 could see some fireworks in a state Senate race in Kern County.

According to the California Secretary of State's website, both Assemblywoman Nicole Parra (D-Hanford) and Kern County Supervisor Michael Rubio, a Democrat, have taken out papers to run for the 16th state Senate seat held currently by state Sen. Dean Florez (D-Shafter).

State Sen. Dean FlorezState Sen. Dean Florez will head the California Democratic effort to boost party registration and turnout for the November general election.

Florez (D-Shafter) will spearhead efforts as the California Democratic Party's chair for its "58 Counties" strategy this fall.

California Assemblywoman Nicole Parra (D-Hanford) can't count on future support from Kern County Democrats, after she denounced them and supported a Republican running to replace her last Friday.

That's according to Candi Easter, Kern County Democrats chairwoman, who said Parra has turned her back on a party that supported her with energy and money in three elections.

California State Sen. Dean Florez (D-Shafter) called Assemblywoman Nicole Parra's claims Friday about a lack of support from her party colleague in races "silly" and encouraged Kern County Democrats to come together.

In a press release issued hours after Parr (D-Hanford) had slammed her party and Florez specifically in a hastily assembled press conference in Bakersfield, Florez said he'd both endorsed and voted for Parra during her previous runs for Assembly.

"We may not always see eye to eye, but I have never endorsed or assisted any Republican to defeat her," Florez said in the press release. "With less than six months left in her term, I think Nicole's claims today are a sad attempt to remain relevant."

California Assemblywoman Nicole Parra (D-Hanford) blasted her own party in a press conference Friday afternoon in Bakersfield, saying excessive partisanship was hurting its elected officials.

Parra said she was angry over letters sent to her by the Kern County Democratic Party this week that chastised her for supporting Danny Gilmore of Hanford, a Republican, to replace her in the State Assembly.

The letters, which are posted on kerncountydemocrats.com, suggest that Parra should be stripped of her committee assignments in Sacramento and her credentials as to attend the Democratic National Convention this summer as a consequence for her support of Gilmore.