Ex-Grisham Aide to Run Against Him in Primary

Declaring that his former boss has lost so much support that he is “not electable,” a former aide to Assemblyman Wayne Grisham (R-Norwalk) announced Thursday that he will challenge Grisham in the Republican primary.

Dale Hardeman, who also helped manage Grisham’s unsuccessful campaign for the Senate last year, said he will run against Grisham because otherwise a Democrat is bound to beat the assemblyman in the general election. Several Democrats have announced they will run for Grisham’s 63rd District Assembly seat.

“I’ve been inundated with calls . . . from Republicans in the district who have clearly indicated they have no intention of supporting Mr. Grisham in the upcoming state Assembly race. I think it’s imperative that we have someone who can capture this seat and maintain it,” Hardeman said.

Grisham Surprised

Grisham said he was surprised by Hardeman’s announcement. The legislator said he had even intended to hire Hardeman as a political strategist in his campaign for a third term. “I feel like a member of my family is running against me. . . . I feel a little like I’ve been double-crossed,” Grisham commented.

Anne Richards, press secretary for Assembly Republican Leader Pat Nolan of Glendale, said a district poll conducted after Grisham’s special election loss to Democrat Cecil Green last spring indicated Grisham had the continued support of his Assembly constituents. “He looks to us like a very good candidate right now,” she said. “We’re going to be supporting Wayne.”

Hardeman resigned from the Cerritos College Board of Trustees last year, citing medical problems. But he said Thursday that he received a clean bill of health last month. Earlier concern that he might have an aneurysm proved unfounded, he added.

The owner of a Downey printing company who worked as a Grisham aide for a year, Hardeman said he moved to Downey from Orange County a week ago. The district includes Downey, Norwalk, Santa Fe Springs and Cerritos.