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Faulconer political brain zaps Trump, leaves top GOP job

Ex-San Diego influence-peddler mixes it up with MAGA in Michigan

The news of Roe's fall comes at an awkward time for Faulconer.
The news of Roe's fall comes at an awkward time for Faulconer.

Jason Cabel Roe, the onetime political eyes, ears, and, some say, brain of GOP San Diego mayor Kevin Faulconer, is out as executive director of Michigan's Republican Party.

"I resigned my position as executive director and the reasons will remain between me and Chairman Weiser," Roe told the Detroit Free Press in a July 14 statement referring to Michigan GOP Party Chairman Ron Weiser.

Roe's abrupt exit is attributed to anti-Trump statements the ex-California political guru has made, including telling Politico "the election wasn't stolen" and that "there is no one to blame but Trump" for his presidential election defeat.

If so, the news of Roe's fall comes at an awkward time for Faulconer, who is running for California governor as an ostensibly moderate with extensive financial backing from a bevy of super-rich pro-Trump donors.

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They include Mark and Susan Groff (she gave $185,000 to Trump last year), Barbara Grimm Marshall (she gave Trump $350,000), and Beverly Hills shopping center czar Robert Zarnegin, who came up with $375,000 for the Trump cause.

Dallas billionaire Darwin Deason who owns a lavish La Jolla oceanside mansion, is another Trump-backing Faulconer donor, giving $64,800,

"I believe he was fired for not resigning," Debra Ell, a pro-Trump Michigan organizer said on Facebook of Roe, according to the Free Press.

"This is just beginning of the RINO Hunt," Ell added, using an acronym standing for "Republicans in Name Only."

A behind-the-scenes player during much of Faulconer's mayoral tenure, Roe was called out in February 2015 by then-Chargers special counsel Mark Fabiani for his stadium-related lobbying activities on behalf of food and beverage vendor Delaware North.

"We write to clarify the legal and practical role that your political advisors are playing in the operations of your new stadium Task Force," Fabiani wrote in a February 17, 2015 letter to the mayor.

"When the meeting between the Chargers' representative and the Task Force began, your chief political consultant, Jason Cabel Roe, sat with the Task Force throughout the entire meeting."

"What legal and ethical issues are raised by Mr. Roe's dual role as an apparent de facto Task Force member and as a registered lobbyist for the Delaware North company, which is bidding to become the new concessionaire at Qualcomm Stadium and, potentially, at any new stadium in San Diego?"

Added Fabiani, "Putting the legal and ethical issues aside for a moment, what sense does it make to have someone who is your chief advisor on political matters, and who advises a potential stadium vendor on business matters, play any sort of role with the 'independent' Task Force?"

"Have you asked the City Attorney for an opinion on the propriety of Mr. Roe's intensive involvement with the Task Force's work? If you have not yet asked for such an opinion from the City Attorney, do you intend to do so?"

Delaware North eventually got the stadium deal but Roe subsequently left the San Diego influence-peddling business and decamped to Bloomfield, Michigan, setting up an outfit he called Roe Strategic.

Billed as a “Republican Strategist”, Roe appeared on KUSI-TVhere July 8, saying “ I do think that Kevin is very well positioned to benefit from being I think the most credible, substantive candidate."

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The news of Roe's fall comes at an awkward time for Faulconer.
The news of Roe's fall comes at an awkward time for Faulconer.

Jason Cabel Roe, the onetime political eyes, ears, and, some say, brain of GOP San Diego mayor Kevin Faulconer, is out as executive director of Michigan's Republican Party.

"I resigned my position as executive director and the reasons will remain between me and Chairman Weiser," Roe told the Detroit Free Press in a July 14 statement referring to Michigan GOP Party Chairman Ron Weiser.

Roe's abrupt exit is attributed to anti-Trump statements the ex-California political guru has made, including telling Politico "the election wasn't stolen" and that "there is no one to blame but Trump" for his presidential election defeat.

If so, the news of Roe's fall comes at an awkward time for Faulconer, who is running for California governor as an ostensibly moderate with extensive financial backing from a bevy of super-rich pro-Trump donors.

Sponsored
Sponsored

They include Mark and Susan Groff (she gave $185,000 to Trump last year), Barbara Grimm Marshall (she gave Trump $350,000), and Beverly Hills shopping center czar Robert Zarnegin, who came up with $375,000 for the Trump cause.

Dallas billionaire Darwin Deason who owns a lavish La Jolla oceanside mansion, is another Trump-backing Faulconer donor, giving $64,800,

"I believe he was fired for not resigning," Debra Ell, a pro-Trump Michigan organizer said on Facebook of Roe, according to the Free Press.

"This is just beginning of the RINO Hunt," Ell added, using an acronym standing for "Republicans in Name Only."

A behind-the-scenes player during much of Faulconer's mayoral tenure, Roe was called out in February 2015 by then-Chargers special counsel Mark Fabiani for his stadium-related lobbying activities on behalf of food and beverage vendor Delaware North.

"We write to clarify the legal and practical role that your political advisors are playing in the operations of your new stadium Task Force," Fabiani wrote in a February 17, 2015 letter to the mayor.

"When the meeting between the Chargers' representative and the Task Force began, your chief political consultant, Jason Cabel Roe, sat with the Task Force throughout the entire meeting."

"What legal and ethical issues are raised by Mr. Roe's dual role as an apparent de facto Task Force member and as a registered lobbyist for the Delaware North company, which is bidding to become the new concessionaire at Qualcomm Stadium and, potentially, at any new stadium in San Diego?"

Added Fabiani, "Putting the legal and ethical issues aside for a moment, what sense does it make to have someone who is your chief advisor on political matters, and who advises a potential stadium vendor on business matters, play any sort of role with the 'independent' Task Force?"

"Have you asked the City Attorney for an opinion on the propriety of Mr. Roe's intensive involvement with the Task Force's work? If you have not yet asked for such an opinion from the City Attorney, do you intend to do so?"

Delaware North eventually got the stadium deal but Roe subsequently left the San Diego influence-peddling business and decamped to Bloomfield, Michigan, setting up an outfit he called Roe Strategic.

Billed as a “Republican Strategist”, Roe appeared on KUSI-TVhere July 8, saying “ I do think that Kevin is very well positioned to benefit from being I think the most credible, substantive candidate."

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