GOP mayor of Fresno endorses Feinstein for Senate

[Newsjock]

Being reported live now on the 10 pm local Fox news. Can't find a link on their website.

Feinstein was in Fresno today, "getting an unlikely endorsement from an unlikely Republican," Mayor Alan Autry.

she sent out letters to mayors a month ago.
autry said the decision to endorse 'was an easy one to make'
'senator, welcome to fresno, and I am proud to endorse you'
'frankly, has been more conservative than many running around in sacramento with an r next to their name'

reporter: 'republicans admit this is a no-lose proposition... but they add to that they hope the mayor will send a strong message to the senator on behalf of her party.'

when the senator and mayor were asked about their difference on social issues such as gay marriage and filibuster of federal judges, the mayor's response was simple: they hadn't talked about it yet.

On edit: Here's an AP story, with the endorsement news buried.
http://www.belleville.com/mld/belleville/news/local/11547476.htm

Feinstein promotes law to put cold medicine behind counter
JULIANA BARBASSA
Associated Press

FRESNO, Calif. - Sen. Dianne Feinstein joined law enforcement authorities Monday to generate support for legislation that would put nonprescription cold medicine, which can also be used to produce methamphetamine, behind the pharmacy counter.

... During the first of her two days in the Central Valley, Feinstein also picked up the endorsement of Fresno's Republican mayor, Alan Autry, for her expected 2006 re-election bid and found time to raise funds at John Harris' Coalinga ranch.

and 2nd edit: Found a story with the news in the head, so I've put it over in LBN.
http://abclocal.go.com/kfsn/news/050205_nw_autry.html

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=1440631&mesg_id=1440631

[davidinalameda]

1. yet another reason NOT to vote for DiFi

[Erika]

2. Ah Republicans are running fast from the theocratic right

Wonder why?

[Kerrytravelers]

3. Must have gotten out of line at the kool-aid que.

[autorank]

4. This Autry is a trip. I don't like Republican anythings but ...

...He was the first mayor right out of the gate fighting Arnold. He did this when Arnold tried to balance the budget on the state's return of tax dollars to localities. Autry is not a complicated guy and he knows when he's getting screwed so he spoke up, no hesitation and he was quite direct about it. This does not surprise me.

This is the guy who played the hunky Sheriff on 'Heat of the Night'--the big one that would bust heads. He can probably whip Arnold's ass and he knows it (haha).

Good lard, wuz up with the San Joaquin Valley? Used to be Yellow Dog Dem through the 60's.

[tinanator]

5. what he is trying to hide

http://www.fresnobee.com/local/story/10369103p-11172273c.html

never take the "news" at face value.

[brownecowe]

6. I liked his acting

in the Heat of the Night series.