An Orange County lawmaker today confirmed he tried to oust Mike Villines as Assembly Republican leader, but found no support from Republican colleagues.

"There's naturally great reluctance to change a horse in midstream," said Assembly Member Chuck DeVore, R-Irvine. "You can't beat somebody with no one."

DeVore made the comments this afternoon on the John & Ken show, a conservative radio show on KFI-AM in Los Angeles. The two shock jocks have railed against Villines for singing off on tax hikes.

DeVore made his coup attempt over the weekend, as the Assembly prepared to vote on a budget plan that includes hikes in the gas, sales and income tax. That plan is still in limbo, but Villines has secured the three needed GOP votes for the deal in his house. Even lawmakers who plan to vote no have given Villines high marks for his leadership.

Even DeVore said: "Mike Villines has been keeping people informed as much as possible every step of the way," He said "compared to past experience," GOP lawmakers "felt plugged in."