Voters thinking California Senate District 23 candidate Fran Pavley would continue the progressive tradition of Sheila Kuehl got a big disappointment in her health mailer when Fran Pavley not only did not endorse Kuehl's single payer SB 840 Health Plan but used code words to send a message to insurance companies that she would not challenge their role and monopoly profits in the health system. http://la.indymedia.org/news/2008/05/217696.php

Opponent Lloyd Levine's opposition researchers documented in another mailer that Republican right wing political money was financing Pavley through organizations like Sacramento based EdVoice. These sources included political extremist Don Fisher, founder of Gap, the Walmart Walton family, pro education vouchers groups, and anti-labor groups. EdVoice has supported charter schools and claims that cutting union teacher pay will improve California education. http://choosingdemocracy.blogspot.com/2006/04/ed-voice-how-corporate-ceos-shape.html http://www.edvoice.org/Default.aspx?tabid=129

The California Teachers Association has come out strong against Pavley and for Levine.

Julie Korenstein also came out for Levine.

Given Pavley's sources of funds, her support of the health insurance companies and opposition to single payer should come as no surprise.

Pavley's opposition researchers have been busy too and sent out a mailer this week showing Levine wearing a crown above the label "King of the Luxury Junkets." As chairman of the Assembly Utilities and Commerce committee, Levine has been traveling the world at lobbyist expense staying at the world famous Copacabana Palace in Rio and the Four Seasons in Tokyo. Levine carried legislative water for AT&T and Verizon by legislating state wide cable franchising and gutting local cable regulation.

State utility consumers has seen nothing but higher rates and more outage while Levine chaired the committee.

The brochure did not allege travel by Levine to Israel. Whether he went there, but Pavley didn't want to publicize it, or he didn't go remains unknown.

Meanwhile district voters react with dismay at the spectacle of these mailers and ask how is that they have to choose between these two sleaze bags to replace Sheila Kuehl.

Pavley's great grandfather, William Jennings Bryan, must be turning over in his grave.

The California Teachers Association did not come out in favor of Levine strongly. In fact, his was one of just a few recommendations that was pulled at the most recent CTA State Delegates meeting and it was NOT UNAMINOUS to approve the recommendation for his candidancy.