By Associated Press, 05/21/02

COVINA, Calif. -- Tom Palmeri was surprised in March when he was named a California Republican of the Year. The Covina City Council member is, after all, a Democrat.

"I think it's just fabulous that they bypassed (Republican gubernatorial candidate) Bill Simon," Palmeri said. "I haven't been a Republican since Reagan's first term in office."

The National Republican Congressional Committee, which raises money for Republican congressional candidates, gave Palmeri the honor. They also sent him a certificate and listed his name along with 161 other honorees in a Wall Street Journal advertisement.

Palmeri also learned that his awards did not come free.

"All I keep getting is this bill for $150," he said. "And they'd like me to use my credit card."

Anne McBride, a spokeswoman for the NRCC, had no explanation for what happened.

"Any time he wants to join us on this side of the aisle, he's welcome," she said.