Embattled Yucca Valley Assemblyman Chad Mayes will remain the GOP caucus leader, at least for now, a vote to remove him came up three votes short Monday afternoon. Friday night, the California Republican Party board voted 13-7 in favor of calling on Mayes to step down as leader of the Assembly’s 25 Republicans or be replaced. Mayes has faced considerable backlash since joining seven other Republicans last month in voting to extend California’s Cap-and-Trade Program to 2030. Conservatives believe cap-and-trade will send California’s already-high gas prices soaring.
Mayes defended his approach in Sacramento Monday. “We’ve got some folks who say, ‘We’re just going to scream and yell,’” said Mayes, a former Yucca Valley mayor. “For years, we’ve been trying that strategy and that strategy has not won.” Mayes added, “Contempt for people who have different ideas than you is not a winning strategy. If we believe conservative principles are good and right. We should engage and make the case.” Monday morning, Mayes said he would continue with his approach regardless of how the leadership vote turns out.
ASSEMBLYMAN CHAD MAYES TO REMAIN REPUBLICAN LEADER, FOR NOW
