The San Bernardino County Central Committee voted Thursday to call on Assemblyman Chad Mayes to resign as leader of the Assembly Republican Caucus.

In recent weeks, activists led by Joseph Turner, founder of American Children First, have relentlessly pursued and protested those GOP legislators who voted for the cap-and-Trade expansion, whom conservative talk radio hosts have called the “Swamp 8.’

Turner shot video (below) of his pursuit of Mayes as he parked in front of a police vehicle in the loading zone behind the hotel where the San Bernardino County Central Committee meets.

As soon as he emerged from the car, Turner asked him, “Hey man, why’d you vote for the largest tax increase ever?”

Mayes immediately approached Turner, smiling, and said, “Give me a hug,” moving in to hug Turner.

Turner repeatedly asked Mayes to explain his vote.

“Actually, we cut taxes,” Mayes offers, as he was directed into the rear entrance of the hotel,

Turner asked, “how did you cut taxes?”

Mayes simply said, “Come on in, I’ll show you,” as he led Turner through the kitchen and eventually into the meeting.

On the way there, Mayes reiterated his defense of his controversial vote.

“We cut taxes and reduced costs.”  Mayes told Turner

Once inside the meeting, Mayes walked up to the front and Turner was confronted by a woman in charge who eventually forced Turner and a second videographer from his group out of the room.

According to sources at the meeting who wish to remain anonymous, Mayes explained his vote to the committee by explaining that it was better than the alternative. He said it was the right vote, and a conservative vote, and that he would it all over again — in spite of the tsunami of criticism by his own constituents and conservatives statewide.

The only thing he regrets, Mayes reportedly said, was not getting out in front on messaging on the vote. He expressed deep concern that the narrative had become out of control — and that his critics simply did not have all the facts.

The final vote was 23 to 16 in favor of censuring Mayes, and demanding his resignation as the minority leader of the California State Assembly.

Tim Donnelly is a former California State Assemblyman and Author, currently on a book tour for his new book: Patriot Not Politician: Win or Go Homeless.  He also ran for governor in 2014.

FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/tim.donnelly.12/

Twitter:  @PatriotNotPol