CalWatchdog Morning Read – June 21

• Is Issa really in trouble?
• What about that Trump endorsement?
• Dalai Lama brings peace to Sacramento
• Ballot initiatives prepare for war
• Housing for the homeless is getting close

Is Congressman Darrell Issa really in trouble after squeaking through the primary election earlier this month?

Just two and a half years after being on top of the political world, Issa is in one of the toughest political fights of his 15-year career, according to his hometown paper, after advancing to the general election with just 51.5 percent of the vote.

Political handicappers have downgraded his race from Safe Republican to Likely Republican and Republican’s voter registration advantage in the district has dipped with the rise of Trump (who Issa endorsed).

But Issa’s camp isn’t worried, noting that while the race was close, it still ended with Issa on top — a forecast of what’s to come.

“While the election night number was what it was, I think a longer look at the whole story shows that we withstood — rather than were walloped by — the registration surge, heavy Dem turnout and no competitive GOP race,” said Issa spokesman Jonathan Wilcox.

CalWatchdog has more. 

In other news:

• About that Trump endorsement: At an event in San Diego yesterday, Issa said he’d like to have a “re-do” of the entire primary process where Trump wasn’t the nominee. The San Diego Union-Tribune has more. 

• The Dalai Lama brought a message of peace to Sacramento on Monday, telling lawmakers: “The best way to take care of one’s self is to take care of others.” The Los Angeles Times has more. 

• Even though they haven’t officially qualified for the November ballot yet, 10 would-be initiatives are stockpiling money and preparing for war. The Sacramento Bee has more. 

• “California lawmakers are putting the finishing touches on a plan to provide up to $2 billion to help cities build permanent shelters to get mentally ill people off the street,” writes the AP/Capital Public Radio.

Assembly:

• Full slate of committee hearings. 

Senate:

• Full slate of committee hearings.

Gov. Brown: 

• No public events scheduled.

Tips: [email protected]

Follow us: @calwatchdog @mflemingterp

New followers: @grahamdude @nwconservative