Marshall Tuck for Superintendent of
Public Instruction

In the race for State Superintendent of Public Instruction, where both candidates are Democrats, education reform leader Marshall Tuck is by far the better choice.
 
In a close race, Marshall Tuck, who has led efforts to turn around low-performing schools, is challenging incumbent Superintendent Tom Torlakson, who has the strong support of the California Teachers Association.
 
The candidates have some dramatic differences.  For example, Tuck supports the Vergara court decision, which invalidates the current teacher dismissal system because it 

prevents firing grossly ineffective teachers and harms students in poor communities. 

Torlakson has appealed the decision.
   

Tuck recognizes California's weakness in education, and has prepared a detailed plan 

to improve.  He says, "At the top of my list is the outdated, ineffective state law that forces school boards to base teacher layoffs solely on seniority rather than on classroom effectiveness or other factors."

A few of the many items in his plan are: empowering local decision-making, supporting

local districts rather than enforcing compliance, modernizing the Education Code, reforming the teacher dismissal process, sharing best practices, and better engaging

parents.
 
Marshall Tuck has been a successful school executive.  He was CEO of the Partnership

for Los Angeles Schools, former LA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's collaboration with LA Unified to operate and improve 17 low-performing schools with some 15,000 students.
   

Prior to that, Tuck was President of Green Dot Public Schools, a charter school

operator based in Los Angeles.  He helped them expand from one school to 10 charter high schools. 
 
Tuck has support from leaders in the educational reform movement, as well as all the

major newspapers in the state.  (See the S.F. Chronicle's endorsement.)

Torlakson repeatedly emphasizes that he's "a teacher", often omitting the fact that for 30+ years he has been a politician (county supervisor, legislator, superintendent).  Of course, he does frequently defend teachers union excesses, to the detriment of students.  The Chronicle says, "when tough choices need to be made, he too often ends up on the wrong side."
 
The California Teachers Association has launched ferocious attacks on Tuck.  Here is a tongue-in-cheek video from Tuck's campaign that deals with some of their accusations.

The son of a teacher, Marshall Tuck was born in Burlingame and attended parochial

elementary school and public middle and high schools.  He graduated from UCLA and

Harvard Business School.  Tuck lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Mae, and their son

Mason.

You can learn more about Marshall Tuck's campaign on his campaign website, and you can hear the two candidates in this KQED interview audio. 

Get Out The Vote for Catharine Baker
Saturday-Tuesday, November 1-4, 2014 / 10:00 am
Catharine Baker for Assembly Headquarters, 2682 Bishop Drive, Ste. 112, San Ramon
 
Catharine Baker's race in Assembly District 16 looks like a very tight race. Now is the time Catharine needs your help the most to contact voters and make sure they mail their absentee ballots or vote at the polls on Tuesday. Please join her GOTV team: make phone calls to supporters reminding them to vote, walk a neighborhood for a couple of hours this Saturday or Sunday to contact voters, and join her on Election Day for the final GOTV push!
 
Catharine needs you! The office is open every day from 9:30am-8:30pm. Contact Jordan at JGurnett@BakerForAssembly.com or by phone at 925-415-3288 if you can help in the final days before the election.
 
Secretary of State candidate Pete Peterson will join them at 3 pm on Saturday.  

Get Out the Vote with Peter Kuo, Neel Kashkari, Pete Peterson!
Saturday, November 1, 2014 / 12:00 Noon
Peter Kuo for Senate Headquarters, 1313 N. Milpitas Blvd. Suite 215, Milpitas
 
Please join Peter Kuo's campaign team and special guests for the final Get Out the Vote push before Election Day! Neel Kashkari, GOP candidate for governor, will be the featured guest!
 
Meet at the Peter Kuo for State Senate HQ for a rally with local leaders and then head out to place door hangers throughout our community. You won't want to miss this final opportunity to help Peter win on November 4th! Food and beverages will be provided.
 
Other special guests:
 Secretary of State candidate Pete Peterson
 Assembly candidates Jaime Patiņo and Palmer Kain
 Former CRP Chair Duf Sundheim
 Alameda GOP Chair Sue Caro
 and more!
 
RSVP to Ryan@kuoforsenate.com. 

Meet Neel Kashkari in Monterey
Friday, October 31, 2014 / 5:00 pm
MCRP Headquarters, 1098 Del Monte Ave. #C, Monterey
 
Gubernatorial Candidate Neel Kashkari will be stopping by the Republican Headquarters in Monterey on October 31 (Yes, Halloween!) to meet with volunteers as we head into the final weekend before the Election. Neel and his team will arrive around 5pm, and we will have refreshments and plenty of work to do. Stop by and spend some time helping get great Republicans (like Neel!) elected.
 
RSVP to Volunteer to Executive Director Landon Wolf at Landon@MontereyRepublicans.org or 831-324-0617. 

Monterey GOP Get Out The Vote!
Saturday, November 1, 2014 / 9:00 am
Home of Councilman Steve McShane, 20 Dickens Circle, Salinas
 
The Monterey GOP sponsors Get Out The Vote operations. On Saturday and Sunday, November 1-2, they support candidates in Salinas, Castroville, and Moss Landing.
 
Volunteers have the option to walk or call. WALKERS meet at Steve McShane's home, 20 Dickens Circle, Salinas. Callers meet at MCRP Headquarters in Monterey (1098 Del Monte Ave. #C, Monterey).
 
Shifts are 9am - 12noon and 2pm - 5pm. RSVP to Landon@MontereyRepublicans.org  if you will work one or both shifts. 

Sonoma GOP Super Saturday Deployments
Saturday, November 1, 2014 / 9:30 am
Three locations, see below, Sonoma County
 
Join the Sonoma County Republican Party to distribute Voter Guides and candidate literature in the community the last weekend before the election. They will begin at 9:30am to pair people up and go through a brief training. They will be out the door by 10am to go door to door. Please sign up here.
 
You may come to any of these three locations:
 Santa Rosa - Heath for Assembly HQ, 789 Lombardi Ct. #201
 Rohnert Park - Starbucks, 1716 East Cotati Avenue
 Petaluma - Republican HQ, 501 Lakeville Street, Suite D

Sonoma GOP GOTV Phone Calling
Saturday, Sunday, and Tuesday, November 1, 2, 4, 2014 / 9:30 am
Two locations, see below, Sonoma County
 
Join the Sonoma County Republican Party for get out the vote phone calling in either Santa Rosa or Petaluma. They will be calling Saturday, Sunday, and Election Day, November 1, 2, and 4. Please let them know what time you can come by and how long you are able to stay. Please click here to sign up to help.

You may come to either of these locations:
 Santa Rosa - Heath for Assembly HQ, 789 Lombardi Ct. #201
 Petaluma - Republican HQ, 501 Lakeville Street, Suite D

GOTV For Gregory Allen for Assembly
Saturday, November 1, 2014 / 10:00 am
Two locations, See below, San Rafael and Petaluma
 
Come out to help Gregory Allen, candidate for State Assembly District 10 in Marin and Sonoma Counties, to get out the vote. Volunteers will get neighborhood assignments, walk precincts, and talk with local voters. Wear comfortable clothes and walking shoes.
 
Two Locations:
BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse
 5800 Northgate Mall, Suite 159, San Rafael CA
 Meet in the overflow parking lot diagonally across from BJ's
 
Sonoma GOP Headquarters
 501 Lakeville Highway, Suite D (Upstairs), Petaluma CA
 
This is not just an event for those in District 10, but for all Republicans who are interested in helping a good candidate get elected. RSVP "Marin" OR "Sonoma" to team@GregoryAllenAssembly2014.com. 

Solano Republicans GOTV Walks
Saturday-Sunday, November 1-2, 2014 / 10:00 am
Republican HQ, 625 Jackson Street, Fairfield
 
This weekend is the final chance to visit our neighbors and convince them that this year is crucial for Republicans to come out and vote. Join your fellow Solano Republicans this weekend to come out and get our voters to the polls. Meet at HQ in Fairfield to get your precinct list and let the people know about our candidates. An RSVP is requested for Sunday to (707) 422-5000.

Precinct Walking for Chuck Page
Saturday, November 1, 2014 / 11:30 am
Office, 1060 Saratoga Ave, San Jose
 
Help get out the vote Saturday and Sunday for Chuck Page, candidate for Assembly District 28. Volunteers will walk neighborhoods and contact voters for Chuck. Pizza and beverages will be provided as well.
 
Schedule: 11:30 am - Pizza, food, beverages, training; 12:30 pm - out the door for GOTV. If possible, RSVP to Helen at 408-476-3450. 

Solano Republicans Election Day Phone Banks 

Tuesday, November 4, 2014 / 10:00 am
Solano Republican HQ, 625 Jackson Street, Fairfield
 
Election Day is going to be our last chance to keep the Democrats from snatching victory. The Solano GOP will be operating phone banks from 10 am - 7:45 pm, just before polls close. If you can only spare one day to help, please show up on Election Day. Polls from our candidates show that they are in tight races and need to get every Republican to vote. Contact: (707) 422-5000.  

Southern Monterey RWF Presents Aaron Johnson
Tuesday, November 4, 2014 / 11:30 am
Lawrence's Restaurant, 611 Canal Street, King City
 
The Southern Monterey Republican Women Federated will host their monthly luncheon with guest speaker Aaron Johnson, President & Director for the Ag Land Trust and Member of Monterey County for Energy Independence. His presentation will cover energy production and the controversy over fracking.

RSVP: Call Dorothy Errea for reservations at (831) 382-4230. Cost: $15. 

CBSF/Coro Post-Election Luncheon with Brian Calle
Wednesday, November 5, 2014 / 12:00 Noon
Coro Northern California Offices, 601 Montgomery Street, Ste. 800, San Francisco
 
Citizens for a Better San Francisco in partnership with Coro invite you to a post-election luncheon featuring Brian Calle, Opinion Editor for the Orange County Register and Editor-in-Chief of CalWatchdog.com. His topic will be "The Election is Over: What's Next?"

RSVP: Contact Christine Hughes at christinehughes007@gmail.com or call (760) 808-2800. Cost: $40 per person. Make checks payable to Citizens for a Better San Francisco. 

Milton Friedman Foundation Reception with Victor Davis Hanson
Wednesday, November 5, 2014 / 6:00 pm
The Fairmont Hotel, 950 Mason Street, San Francisco
 
You are cordially invited by The Milton Friedman Foundation to their "2014 Fire Starter Award Ceremony" on Wednesday evening, November 5 - that's right - the day AFTER the election - to hear nationally syndicated columnist Victor Davis Hanson and his comments on the elections. This year the Foundation is honoring the dedication and leadership of Jerry Hume.
 
The reception is scheduled from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at the beautiful Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco. Tickets begin at $250 per person, $400 per couple.  Find out more ... 

Silicon Valley RWF Luncheon with Dave Gibson 

Thursday, November 6, 2014 / 11:30 am
Blue Pheasant Restaurant, 22100 Stevens Creek Blvd., Cupertino
 
The Silicon Valley Republican Women Federated will host a luncheon meeting honoring and thanking veterans. The speaker will be Dave Gibson, who was a pilot during World War II and flew reconnaissance and rescue missions for downed flyers. His topic will be "Firsthand Remembrances from a WWII Rescue Pilot ".
 
RSVP: Call Louise Kenney at (408) 739-4724 for reservations before Noon on the Monday prior to the meeting. Cost: $22. Social begins at 11:30am; Lunch at 12:00 noon.
  

Palo Alto RWF Luncheon with Featured Guest Lance Izumi
Thursday, November 6, 2014 / 11:30 am
Michael's, 2960 Shoreline Blvd., Mountain View
 
The Palo Alto Republican Women Federated will host their November Luncheon Meeting with featured speaker Lancy Izumi. His topic will be "Focus on Education". Lance Izumi is President of the Board of Governors for the CA Community Colleges, and is the Koret Senior Fellow and Senior Director of Education Studies at the Pacific Research Institute.
 
RSVP: To make a reservation, contact Jo'Anne Zschokke at (650) 857-9395 or email joannenzschokke@sbcglobal.net. 

Commonwealth Club hosts Abbas Milani on ISIS
Thursday, November 6, 2014 / 5:30 pm
Commonwealth Club, 595 Market St. 2nd Floor, San Francisco
 
The Commonwealth Club hosts speaker Abbas Milani, Director of Iranian Studies at Stanford University, a founding co-director of the Iran Democracy Project, and a research fellow at the Hoover Institution. Until 1986, he taught at Tehran University's Faculty of Law and Political Science. Hear one of the world's top Middle East experts give his take on how ISIS will ultimately impact the region and the U.S. Topic: "The Rise of ISIS and the Changing Landscape of the Middle East".
 
Register online. Cost: $12 with discount. Just enter "specialmilani" into the promotional code box for $8 off the non-member ticket price! 

Conservative Forum of Silicon Valley Presents James O'Keefe
Tuesday, November 11, 2014 / 7:00 pm
IFES Portuguese Hall, 432 Stierlin Road, Mountain View
 
The Conservative Forum of Silicon Valley will host a presentation by James O'Keefe of Project Veritas. His topic will be "The Art of Breakthrough Journalism." O'Keefe is the founder and President of Project Veritas, a non-profit dedicated to investigating corruption, dishonestly, waste and fraud in both public and private institutions.
 
RSVP: Register online. Cost: $10 for Non-members; $5 for first time visitors; Free to members. Doors open at 6:15pm; Program at 7:00pm.
 

Piedmont Area RWF Present Lance Izumi
Wednesday, November 12, 2014 / 11:30 am
The Bellevue Club, 525 Bellevue Avenue, Oakland
 
The Piedmont Area Republican Women Federated will hold their Board Installation Luncheon with featured speaker Lance Izumi, Koret Senior Fellow and Senior Director of Education Studies at the Pacific Research Institute. His topic will be "Observations on Common Core."
 
RSVP: Email parwf2010@gmail.com or mail check made payable to PARW to Anne Woodell at 1724 Indian Way, Oakland, CA 94611. Cost: $33. 

Blackhawk RWF present Tom Del Beccaro
Thursday, November 13, 2014 / 5:30 pm
Blackhawk Country Club, 599 Blackhawk Club Drive, Danville
 
The Blackhawk Republican Women host Tom Del Beccaro at an evening meeting. Tom is Publisher of PoliticalVanguard.com, author of The New Conservative Paradigm, frequent media commentator and former Chairman of the California Republican Party. Topic: "What Republicans Need to Do between now and 2016!"
 
Time: 5:30pm check-in and hors d'oeuvres; 6:15pm program.
 
Cost: $25. Please make your reservations by Tuesday, November 11, with Marianne Lyons at rlyons1009@sbcglobal.net or 925-820-6452. 

Nob Hill RWCF Dinner Meeting Featuring Bill Whalen
Thursday, November 13, 2014 / 6:00 pm
The Olympic Club, 524 Post Street (Between Mason and Taylor), San Francisco
 
Join the Nob Hill Republican Women's Club Federated for their dinner meeting with featured speaker Bill Whalen, who is a research fellow at the Hoover Institution, where he studies and writes on current affairs and political trends. He served as Gov. Pete Wilson's chief speechwriter, contributes columns to the Sacramento Bee, and has recently been writing an election blog, "A Day At The Races" (www.adayattheracesblog.com). Topic: "Post Election Analysis on the General Election".
 
Elegant Olympic Club Buffet. Reception 6:00 pm, Dinner 7:00 pm.
 
RSVP: Reservations are required. $55 members, $65 non-members. RSVP to Joan Leone at jleone@sonic.net or call (415) 567-7424 by Thursday, November 6. Flyer 

Tri-Valley RWF Monthly Dinner Featuring Arkady Faktorovich
Thursday, November 13, 2014 / 6:30 pm
Cattlemens Restaurant, 2882 Kitty Hawk Road, Livermore
 
The Tri-Valley Republican Women Federated will host a dinner meeting with guest speaker Arkady Faktorovich.  His topic will be "Everything You Wanted to Know about the Federal Reserve."
 
RSVP: Reserve by Monday, Nov. 10 by calling Rebecca Potts at (925) 294-4013 or email rebecca.potts@comcast.net.  Cost: $30 for TVRWF Members; $34 for Guests.  Social time begins at 6:30pm; Meeting at 7:00pm. 

Novato GOP Women Luncheon with Dr. Abraham Sofaer
Tuesday, November 18, 2014 / 11:00 pm
Marin Country Club, 500 Country Club Drive, Novato
 
The Novato Republican Women Federated will host Dr. Abraham Sofaer, Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution and expert on Foreign Policy and National Security Affairs, at their luncheon. He will speak on the current threats to U.S. security in the Middle East and related issues.
 
Check-in begins at 11 am, speaker at 11:30 am, lunch at 12:15 pm. For additional information and lunch reservations, please register at www.novatorwf.org, no later than 5 pm, Friday, November 14. Everyone is welcome, and please arrive early. 

Ygnacio Valley RWF Luncheon - Women In Business
Wednesday, November 19, 2014 / 10:30 am
Oakhurst Country Club, 1001 Peacock Creek Drive, Clayton
 
The Ygnacio Valley Republican Women Federated host a luncheon. Topic: Women In Business and CC Kelly (Purses, Scarfs, and More). 10:30 am Business Meeting, Luncheon noon.
 
Cost: $26. RSVP by Friday before the meeting to Terri at goterrid@comcast.net or 925/766-4603 or e-mail Diana at dcrenzio@gmail.com. 

PRI Gala Dinner with Brit Hume
Wednesday, November 19, 2014 / 6:00 pm
Fairmont Hotel, 950 Mason Street, San Francisco
 
The Pacific Research Institute will celebrate their 35th Anniversary with a Gala Dinner featuring Brit Hume, senior political analyst for FOX News. Governor Pete Wilson will also be presented with the Sir Antony Fisher Freedom Award.
 
RSVP: Reply online. Cost: $350 per person for main reception and dinner; sponsorships available. For more information, contact Cindy Chin at cchinevents@gmail.com or call (415) 955-6110. 

SPARC Dinner with Carson Bruno
Wednesday, November 19, 2014 / 6:00 pm
Fremont Hills Country Club, 12889 Viscaino Place, Los Altos Hills
 
Join the South Peninsula Area Republican Coalition for a dinner meeting with featured speaker Carson Bruno, a research fellow at the Hoover Institution. He primarily studies California public policy, electoral politics, and public opinion, with a focus on the future of the California Republican Party.

 
RSVP: Contact reserve@sparcgop.org or call (650) 917-9125.  See www.sparcgop.org for more details.

SVARW Monthly Meeting with Guest Speaker Charlie Self
Wednesday, November 19, 2014 / 6:30 pm
Los Gatos Lodge-Garden Room, 50 Los Gatos-Saratoga Road, Los Gatos
 
The Silicon Valley Association of Republican Women will present Charlie Self at their monthly meeting, speaking on the topic "Confronting Global Jihad: The Necessity of Moral and Political Courage." Known to KSFO listeners as "Dr. History," Charlie Self is an author and minister.

RSVP: Reply online. Cost: $15 includes appetizers and beverages. 

Lamorinda RWF Luncheon with Michael Winther
Thursday, November 20, 2014 / 11:15 am
Orinda Country Club, 315 Camino Sobrante, Orinda
 
The Lamorinda Republican Women Federated will host their monthly luncheon with guest speaker Michael Winther, Founder and President of the Institute for Principle Studies.
 
RSVP: Reply online or email reservations@lamorindarepublicanwomen.org. Cost $25. Social begins at 11:15am; Lunch at Noon. 

West Valley RWF Luncheon Featuring Barry Feeley
Thursday, November 20, 2014 / 11:30 am
Holder's Country Inn, 998 So. De Anza Blvd., San Jose
 
Barry Feeley will be the guest speaker at the West Valley Republican Women Federated's monthly luncheon. His topic will be "Conquering the Resource Crisis Before It Conquers Us!" Feeley served 41 years as an Aerospace Engineer, including work on the Titan Missile.
 
RSVP: Mail your check made payable to West Valley RWF to Grace Russo at 2393 Karen Drive #3, Santa Clara, CA 95050. Cost $21. View newsletter for more information.
 

SFGOP Central Committee Meeting 

Wednesday, November 5, 2014 / 6:30 pm
Hiram Johnson State Building (downstairs meeting rooms), 455 Golden Gate Avenue (between Polk and Larkin), San Francisco
 
Monthly meetings are usually held the first Wednesday of each month. They sometimes have a featured speaker. 

Santa Cruz County Republican Central Committee Meeting
Thursday, November 6, 2014 / 7:00 pm
Live Oak Senior Center, 1777 Capitola Road, Santa Cruz
 
Monthly meetings are usually held the first Thursday of each month.  The meeting is open to the general public.

Napa GOP Central Committee General Membership Meeting
Tuesday, November 11, 2014 / 6:30 pm
HQ, 1808 Jefferson Street, Napa
 
The Napa County Republican Central Committee normally meets for its general membership meeting on the second Tuesday of the month. Contact: Glenn Ellen Smith by email or call 707-255-1097. 

Santa Clara County Republican Party Committee Meeting
Wednesday, November 12, 2014 / 7:00 pm
Santa Clara County Administration Building, 70 W. Hedding Street (at First Street), San Jose
 
The monthly meeting of the Santa Clara County Republican Party.  Normally the second Wednesday of the month.  Social period 6:30 pm. Questions? Contact HQ at director@svgop.com or 408-246-6600.        

SVARW Christmas Celebration & Luncheon
Wednesday, December 3, 2014 / 10:00 am
California Cafe - Montebello Room, 50 University Avenue, Ste. 260, Los Gatos
 
The Silicon Valley Association of Republican Women will celebrate Christmas and their new officers while raising money for the VA Palo Alto Fisher House. Special guest Santa Clara County Supervisor Mike Wasserman will officiate the installation of officers. Featured speaker Betsey K. Striebel will highlight the work of the VA Palo Alto Fisher House.

RSVP: Reply online or send check made payable to SVARW to Lisa Seago, 13578 Wendy Lane, Saratoga, CA 95070. Cost $40. Check-in starts at 10:00 am. Questions? Call Lisa at (408) 741-0713. 

Marin County GOP Christmas Party
Sunday, December 7, 2014 / 4:30 pm
Trek Winery, 1026 Machin Avenue, Novato
 
The Marin County Republican Central Committee will hold its annual Christmas celebration. Learn how you can support your local Republican businesses by purchasing holiday gifts.
 
RSVP: Reply online. Cost $35. Contact: info@maringop.org or 415-446-4111.