From Roger Salazar:

Is California’s Republican Congressional delegation poised to lose yet another member with ethical baggage from its ranks? Columnist Robert Novak is reporting that “Republican sources on Capitol Hill and in California say Rep. Jerry Lewis, ranking Republican on the House Appropriations Committee who has been criticized on ethical grounds, will not seek a 16th term next year.”

“Lewis came under fire last year for pouring millions of dollars worth of earmarks into his heavily Republican southern California district. He has not apologized and vigorously defended himself behind closed doors in the House Republican Conference.”

Novak reminds us: “Lewis is one of at least six Republican House members from California who have faced ethical scrutiny, beginning when former Rep. Duke Cunningham was sent to prison. Most recently, Rep. Ken Calvert, who was sponsored by Lewis for a coveted Appropriations Committee seat, is under attack. He replaced Rep. John Doolittle, who resigned from the committee because the Justice Department was investigating him.”

Nice to know the GOP promotes their potential indictees, er…excuse me, “persons of interest,” from within.

Of course, let’s not forget Rep. Gary Miller, who famously tried to steer federal funds to benefit his business partner and major campaign donor and who remains under FBI investigation. [San Bernardino Sun, February 15, 2007]

On top of the Congressmen under federal investigation there’s good ol’ Elton Gallegly, whose plans remain a mystery to everyone. According to the Evans-Novak Political Report: “Gallegly (R) decided to retire last cycle for health reasons, only to change his mind at the last minute and run. California Republicans continue to wonder what his '08 plans will be. The congressman may not be sure himself.”

Somehow, I doubt this is how the NRCC and CAGOP wanted to kick off the summer before an election year.