Steve Pougnet's official campaign for Congress wasn't even 24 hours old before the National Republican Congressional Committee took note.

The group, which works to elect Republicans to the House, blasted the Palm Springs mayor for what they call a “fabricated economic record.”

Pougnet last week formally announced he's challenging Rep. Mary Bono Mack, a Palm Springs Republican, for the 45th Congressional District seat. He's running on a green energy and job creation platform, touting his hotel incentive program that he says created 1,100 jobs.

But the NRCC argues the city's unemployment rate did nothing but “skyrocket” since he took office, hitting 10.3 percent in March.

“Apparently Steve Pougnet thought it was opposite day when he overstated his abysmal record,” communications director Ken Spain said in a statement.

Pougnet didn't bash back in a statement to The Desert Sun. Instead, he noted that the city's unemployment rate is below state and county levels.

“I have been working tirelessly to bring over 1,100 new jobs to Palm Springs, despite the most challenging economic climate of our lifetime,” he said. “And I will continue to work to bring jobs to our community.”

The Republicans aren't the only party on offensive: the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has for weeks been blasting Bono Mack's stances via e-mail.

Maybe such party attacks are to be expected, even if the election is 18 months away.

But Dems put a lot of local resources into trying to beat Bono Mack's recent campaigns and, in at least the last two cycles, the race didn't garner as much early national attention as this one.

Heck, we didn't even hear from either the NRCC or the DCCC in those campaigns, even when the election was days away.

This is bound to be one of the most interesting and headline-grabbing races of 2010.

Staying on sideline

Last week's announcement made us wonder if Bono Mack's former contender will return for another round.

Democrat Julie Bornstein of Palm Desert, a former state Assemblywoman, said she is “not making any decisions” right now.

Bornstein is enjoying life as a new grandmother and is busy teaching American government at College of the Desert.

But she did express surprise to hear the rumor mill has her considering a run against Supervisor Roy Wilson as well.

“I don't have any plans to do so at this time,” Bornstein said. “I'm kind of enjoying a more relaxed schedule than I have in a decade.”

Bipartisan support

Before we switch gears, Pougnet, a Democrat, has raised eyebrows for being an official co-host and supporter of Republican Wilson's May 13 campaign fundraiser in Rancho Mirage.

It's not often you see such high-profile support across party lines, even in a nonpartisan race. And especially not after they've disagreed on the impact the proposed Whitewater jail would have on Palm Springs tourism.

“I'm not a one-issue guy,” Pougnet said.

“He's a model of what you look for in an elected official.”

It will be interesting to see if Wilson returns the favor.

GOP to open office

The Riverside County Republican Party, which now has a part-time office in Palm Desert, is looking to strengthen its desert presence.

The party is looking to open a full-time office here, likely in Rancho Mirage or Palm Desert.

Officials hope a permanent office is established by September.

Extra benefit?

Assemblyman Manuel Perez is pushing a bill requiring government appointees who make more than six figures to work full time or have their salary prorated.

The bill, which passed through committee last week, is “ensuring that Californians hard-earned tax dollars are being spent justifiably,” the Coachella Democrat said in a statement.

But what the news release doesn't say is that one of those potentially impacted is the former Republican Assemblywoman he replaced.

Bonnie Garcia was appointed to the Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board. She earns $128,109 a year.

When asked about the coincidence, Perez chief of staff Jose Carmona said he hadn't realized she was potentially impacted.

“We weren't trying to single anyone out,” Carmona said.

“We're not going after Bonnie. We're just trying to make sure that money is spent properly”

Strange sightings

We admire the dedication of meeting regulars — the knitting circle at Desert Hot Springs City Council meetings comes to mind — but this one may take the cake:

A man dressed as a clown was at Tuesday's county supervisors meeting.

The green-wig and big-bow-tie wearing clown — and self-described “community activist on many fronts” — is apparently a regular at San Bernardino meetings.

And local officials kept straight faces when he spoke on issues such as the bark beetle infestation and swine flu.

“It sort of broke up the monotony a little bit,” Supervisor Marion Ashley said. “It was interesting.”

The Coachella Valley-Heritage Palms Congress of Republicans is opposing Propositions 1A through 1F.

The Riverside County Republican Party opposes Props 1A through 1E but supports 1F.

Today is the last day to register to vote in the May 19 special election.

The East Valley Republican Women will have their May luncheon today. It starts at 11 a.m. at Palm Desert Country Club and features former radio host Marshall Gilbert. Tickets are $23.

Information: 771-3815

David Carden will host a rally to kick-off his candidacy for the Palm Springs City Council at 4 p.m. Wednesday at the entrance to the Rose Garden, at Baristo Road and Hermosa Drive.

The Desert Stonewall Democrats are having a potluck picnic Saturday. It runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Ruth Hardy Park in Palm Springs. Attendees should bring a donation for the Golden Rainbow Senior Center Food Bank.

Do you have a tip or an event you want listed in the political calendar? Send your items to erica.felci@thedesertsun.com.Stefanie Frith contributed to this column.