Goodbye Hanford City Council, hello state Senate. That's the transition Councilman Dave Thomas wants to make in 2010, as he seeks to replace outgoing Democrat Dean Florez in a district that stretches from Fresno to Bakersfield.

By his own estimation, the Republican candidate faces "long shot" odds.

The deck is stacked against him. As far back as online records go at the Secretary of State's office, a Democrat has taken the heavily Democratic district. Usually, it's been by 70 percent or more. The district is so heavily Democratic -- 50 percent Democrat, 33 percent Republican -- that nobody even bothered to run against Florez in 2006.

Florez, who terms out in 2010, already has begun a campaign for lieutenant governor.

The overwhelming favorite to replace Florez is Michael Rubio, a Kern County supervisor and former Florez staffer who has already amassed a substantial campaign war chest.

Then there's Thomas, 54, a local security company owner with a fiery Everyman-against-the-establishment stance who has been a councilman for three years.

Thomas said things are so "messed up" at the state level, he can do more good attacking the problem there than on the City Council.

"They need someone to tell them the facts," he said.

Thomas said that lawmakers should cut their own salaries the same amount that they cut the salaries of state employees.

Thomas said the first thing he'd do in Sacramento is halve lawmakers' salaries, followed by efforts to pass a law that lawmakers can no longer vote themselves pay increases.

"The minute they get into office, the Democrats and the Republicans are both full of crap," he said.

So how does Thomas figure he can make it as a Republican?

He said he's got enough of his own money to pay for his campaign. Thomas said he's already blown off invitations to attend Republican events.

"I don't want anybody from the Democratic Party or the Republican Party. I want the backing of the people," he said.

Thomas was elected to the council in 2006 on the mantra that he would serve the people of Hanford.

When asked about that pledge, and how he could fulfill it while running a campaign at the same time, Thomas said he'd do it the same way he's "running two businesses."

He said he owns a dairy in Fresno County along with his security company in Hanford.

"I work 24 hours a day some days," he said.

Thomas said he wants to stop the state budget mess.

And he wants to stop "people who are making this whole damn state so screwed up."

Thomas said he respects Danny Gilmore, but he thinks the first-term Republican assemblyman from Hanford is too nice.

"You got to be ready to take the heat and start kicking some butt," he said.

Thomas said, if elected, he had better be assigned an office near the ground floor because "If anybody walks into my office and says, 'We're not for the people,' it's going to be a long flight out that window. I'm not afraid to throw people out of my office."

Thomas said he's willing to go against his colleagues if necessary, something he says he does "all the time on the City Council."

As for his long-shot chances, he said, "I'm gonna leave it to the Guy Upstairs."

The reporter can be reached at 583-2432.

(Oct. 27, 2009)