A California Republican with strong views about illegal immigration is facing party backlash after expressing interest in running for governor in 2014 – a sign the party is committed to its post-election pledge to connect with Hispanic voters.
State legislator Tim Donnelly -- a former member of the Minutemen Project that tried to stop illegal immigration – announced shortly after Election Day that he was forming an exploratory committee for a potential run.
Donnelly’s announcement was followed last week by a statement of non-support from the president of the influential Lincoln Club of Orange County.
“Donnelly’s views on immigration do not represent the views of the (club), nor do I believe he represents the views of most Republicans or Californians,” president Robert Loewen wrote. “We cannot support Republicans who continually target immigrants, who are members of our community, as scapegoats for their own political advantage.”
