Leadership fight in Senate GOP caucus

The state’s uncertain budget future grew even murkier Thursday amid reports of a leadership battle in the Senate Republican Caucus.

Numerous Capitol sources confirmed a fight was underway to replace Sen. Bob Dutton, R-Rancho Cucamonga, who told his fellow Senate Republicans he intends to run for state Assembly. That has set off a leadership fight between Sens. Bob Huff, R-Walnut, and Joel Anderson.

It was unclear what role, if any, the state budget talks were playing in this power struggle, though the entire Senate GOP caucus did appear with Dutton at an impromptu Capitol press conference Thursday. GOP sources said they did not think the leadership fight was directly related to negotiations.

But these power struggles have marred budget talks in the past. Sen. Dave Cogdill, R-Modesto, was dumped by his caucus after he agreed to a budget plan that included tax increases.