We’ll be live-blogging (for updates, refresh this post) from the OC CRA endorsing convention at the Turtle Rock Community Center in Irvine…
Format will be 3 minutes from the candidate and 3 minutes of Q&A for each race.
Mike Munzing (South OC) and Baron Night (Buena Park) appointed sergeants-at-arms. Host Jeff Lalloway (Greater Irvine) appointed parliamentarian.
Races will be voted in the order of Federal, State, and County, with slight adjustments allowed to accommodate candidate schedules.
Republican incumbents with no Republican opponent will be done by voice vote. All other races will be done by secret ballot.
Endorsements require a 2/3 vote.
In a three-candidate race, the candidate with the least votes is dropped in the first round. The remaining two candidates will contest the second and third rounds. In a two-candidate race, both candidates remain for all three rounds.
No race will go beyond three rounds, unless there are five or more Republican candidates (there are no races that have five or more candidates being considered today).
79 of an eligible 114 delegates are present representing 19 units.
First race up: AD-74
Assemblyman Allan Mansoor is here; Leslie Daigle is not. Both were invited.
Mansoor ENDORSED by voice vote.
Next up: CD-47
Steve Kuykendall is here; Gary DeLong is not. Both were invited. No one discussed the two minor Republican candidates.
In response to a Baron Night question, Kuykendall said he would have opposed TARP.
In response to a shouted question from a member of a CRA unit that is not eligible to vote in CD-47, Kuykendall said he is pro-choice.
Secret ballot will be used in CD-47. Westminster, Garden Grove, Stanton, and Buena Park RAs are voting.
No one reached 2/3 in round one: 5 Kuykendall, 3 DeLong, 7 no endorsement, and 1 other.
No one reached 2/3 in round two: exact totals not announced.
No one reached 2/3 in round three: exact totals not announced.
NO ENDORSEMENT in CD-47.
Next up: OCBE 3
Incumbent Ken Williams is here.
Williams is ENDORSED by voice vote.
Next up will be the first real fireworks: 3rd Supervisorial District
Todd Spitzer will speak first; Deborah Pauly elected to speak second.
Spitzer points to his legislative record, his ability to not insult or divide people, his longtime status as a member of his CRA unit in Orange-Villa Park, his vast Republican endorsement list; his HJTA record; he says of his 3% at 50 vote: “That vote was a mistake.”
In response to a question from Ray Grangoff, Spitzer opposes pension spiking and says local employees should be forced to pay the employee contribution to the pension. (State public employees pay the employee contribution while taxpayers pay the employer contribution. Taxpayers pay both the employer and employee contribution for local public employees.)
In response to a question by Chris Emami, Spitzer opposes the Moorlach term limit extension.
Pauly speaks of her role in creating the Orange-Villa Park CRA unit. She speaks of her role in Prop 8. She speaks of good and evil. She has visited many CRA units. She says she is the true conservative.
In response to a question by Chris Emami, Pauly opposes the Moorlach term limit extension and notes her opposition to the Villa Park term limit extension.
In response to a question by Ken Williams, who expressed concerns about statesmanship, personal attacks, and offensiveness, Pauly argues only those who oppose her principles should be offended. She notes Spitzer’s 3% at 50 vote (though she doesn’t say his name).
In response to a question from Jeff Lalloway, who expressed concerns that Pauly’s Council colleagues all endorsed Spitzer, Pauly says she has “been very difficult to work with” because she opposed a 5% pay raise for city employees; she opposed spending taxes on a mural; she takes issues to the people when the council fails because “they don’t like it that they are called upon the carpet by a woman.”
Secret ballot on this one.
Irvine, Tustin, Orange-Villa Park (including yours truly), and Anaheim RAs are voting.
No endorsement in first round, as 15 votes were needed: 14 Spitzer, 6 Pauly, 2 no endorsement.
Pauly says there is no hope for conservatives if CRA doesn’t vote for her.
Spitzer says he is a pro-life Christian who is offended at being accused of not being a social conservative. He says Pauly threatened the CRA. He went over time by noting Pauly’s non-endorsement by Villa Park City Council.
Second round voting.
Spitzer ENDORSED by ballot.
18 Spitzer, 3 Pauly, and 1 no endorsement.
Next up: CD-48
Congressman Dana Rohrabacher is not present due to scheduling conflict.
Fountain Valley CRA unit member objects to Rohrabacher supporting allowing physician-assisted suicide.
Dana Rohrabacher ENDORSED by voice vote.
Next up: AD-55
Assemblyman Curt Hagman ENDORSED by voice vote with no discussion.
Next up: CD-46
Jorge Rocha speaks first. He talks about Loretta Sanchez’s long-term incumbency, education issues, and jobs.
Jerry Hayden speaks second. He talks about his birth in CD-46 and living in every city in CD-46. He speaks of his job as a financial advisor and his family. He speaks of jobs, energy, education, and religious freedoms. He wants to repeal the Obama healthcare plan, build the Keystone pipeline, and expand domestic oil production. He notes his endorsement by the CA Republican Party and the Family Action PAC.
Pat Garcia is the third and final speaker in CD-46. He speaks of the Huntington Beach escrow company that he and his wife own. He reads his notes about limited government and personal freedom. He loses his place at one point.
In a question from an Anaheim RA member, Garcia supports decriminalization of drug use.
In a question from a Corona Del Mar RA member, Garcia supports abolishing the Fed.
In a question from Lucille Kring of Anaheim RA, Garcia is pro-life.
Secret ballot on this one.
Santa Ana, Garden Grove, Anaheim, and Orange-Villa Park are voting.
Hayden ENDORSED with 11 of 12 ballots cast.
Next up: OCBE 1
Robert Hammond speaks of Prop 13. He’s been in education for years. He taught to Navajos and Apaches. He’s taught in public schools, private schools, and home schools. He served as a Marine. He opposes tax increases.
Hammond ENDORSED by voice vote.
Next up: CD-45
Challenger John Webb is here. Congressman John Campbell declined the invitation.
Webb speaks of his military and business background. He speaks of Campbell’s votes on TARP, Cash for Clunkers, Sarbanes-Oxley expansion, Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, and the STOCK Act. Webb pledges to serve only three terms.
In response to a Corona Del Mar RA delegate’s question, Webb states he is pro-life.
Secret ballot on this one.
In the first round, there’s a tie: 14 votes each for John Campbell and John Webb. There were 2 abstentions.
Webb speaks of OC being the “conservative capital” and of jobs.
In the second round (20 votes required for endorsement):
15 for John Campbell, 14 for John Webb, and 1 abstention.
Webb speaks of Campbell’s statements that he knew what the people didn’t. Webb claims there’s 4 Ed Royces becuase Royce is all over Orange County. Webb says Campbell rarely shows up.
In the final round (19 votes required for endorsement):
14 for John Webb, 13 for John Campbell, and 1 abstention.
NO ENDORSEMENT in CD-45.
Next up: CD-49
Congressman Darrell Issa is the only Republican running but is not present.
North San Diego, Saddleback, and South OC RA are eligible to vote but North San Diego is not present.
Issa is ENDORSED by voice vote.
Next up: CD-39
Congressman Ed Royce sent two representatives (Zonya Townsend and Steve Sarkis) due to a scheduling conflict involving constituent town halls. Royce is the sole Republican in the race.
Royce is ENDORSED by voice vote.
Royce arrives during the AD-72 voting but was already endorsed.
Royce is asked to speak anyway. He speaks of his efforts for Ronald Reagan over Gerald Ford in 1976. He speaks of Reagan’s battle against Communism. Royce credits CRA for giving Reagan his political start. He speaks of Reagan’s success in the (according to the Wall Street Journal) “Orange Countization of the United States.” He wants to keep Nancy Pelosi out of the Speakership, wants to oust Harry Reid as Senate Majority Leadership, and wants to see Marco Rubio as Vice President.
Next up (expect fireworks): AD-72
Orange County Board of Education Member Long Pham is first to speak. He attacks Ed Royce for trying to whip the vote in AD-72 for Troy Edgar. Pham notes he’s a long-time member of the CRA and is the only AD-72 candidate who has never been a Democrat nor given money to Democrats. Pham also says he’s not beholden to Mike Schroeder, Scott Baugh, and Ed Royce. Pham also notes the influence of the Vietnamese vote.
Matt Harper asks about Prop 13, the no new taxes pledge, and his voting record on taxes. Pham says he has not received the pledge but will sign it. He supports keeping the 2/3 vote. He says he will vote against taxes.
In response to a question from a delegate, there was a lot of confusion over Stop Special Interest Money Now. it sounds like he supports the measure.
Troy Edgar speaks next. He notes he’s a US Navy veteran, business owner, and Mayor of Los Alamitos. He speaks of his business career. He speaks of his first political involvement in 2006 when he ran (successfully) for City Council.
Matt Harper asks about Edgar’s endorsements. Ed Royce, Dana Rohrabacher, Jim Silva, Tom Harman, 14 Assembly Members, most mayors and councilmembers (including Harper) endorsed Edgar.
In response to a Fountain Valley RA delegate question, Edgar admits he was a Democrat until 2006. He blames his Inland Empire union-member father. Edgar says he voted for Reagan and has never given money to a Democrat.
In response to a question, he states he is in favor of Stop Special Interest Money and the death penalty. He states he is pro-life.
Travis Allen did not send a representative.
Secret ballot on this one.
The vote was invalidated because 17 people voted despite there being only 16 eligible delegates.
Good catch by ballot counters John W. Briscoe and Jay Petersen.
First round vote (requires 12 votes for endorsement):
9 Pham, 7 Edgar, and 1 for Allen.
A 5-minute caucus was approved for AD-72 after the first-round vote was announced.
Edgar states he’s never given money to a Democrat and states he is a dedicated Republican.
Pham blames the “special interest” of Ed Royce for getting Edgar out of the CD-47 race and into the AD-72 race. He says, “CRA should not be a rubber stamp for a Congressman.”
Second-round vote (Allen is dropped for having the fewest votes):
12 for Edgar, 3 for Pham, and 2 abstentions.
Edgar ENDORSED after two rounds.
Next up: AD-65
I represented Chris Norby, noting his record on abolishing redevelopment agencies (applause line) and the fact that his sole opponent is a Democrat.
Norby ENDORSED by voice vote.
Next up: SD-29
Senate Republican Leader Bob Huff sent no representative but is the sole Republican running.
Huff ENDORSED by voice vote.
Next up: 1st Supervisorial District
Supervisor Janet Nguyen sent Steve Sarkis as his representative due to an all-day district event.
Nguyen ENDORSED by voice vote.
Next up: Judicial Race and Central Committee
Baron Night moves and Dennis Catron seconds to authorize the council of CRA unit presidents to endorse in the judicial race and the Central Committee races.
Dale Tyler made a motion to require Central Committee endorsements be made by the CRA units in regional caucuses themselves rather than the presidents’ council. Karl Heft notes Tyler’s motion violates the CRA statewide by-laws.
The Night motion passes by VOICE VOTE.
Next up: SD-37
Senator Mimi Walters thanks CRA for its support in all her previous legislative races. She notes she is one of the most conservative State Senators in the state. She says she was “drawn out of my district,” and “I live, or rather, lived, in Laguna Niguel, and I now live in Irvine.” She fought to successfully qualify the referendum to overturn the Senate districts.
Walters ENDORSED by voice vote.
Next up: AD-68
Assemblyman Don Wagner notes that the pundits thought he’d lose in the 2010 primary and how they were wrong. Wagner notes he’s the sole Republican in the race and regarding his Democratic opponent: “I have pictures of her. (Pause for audience reaction.) Pictures of her with the likes of Dennis Kucinich and Maxine Waters.”
Wagner ENDORSED by voice vote.
Next up: Speech by Steven Choi
While waiting for Diane Harkey to arrive, CRA asks Irvine Councilman Steven Choi to give a speech.
Steven Choi speaks about his efforts to make Irvine a better place. He speaks of his family and his conservative record. He notes he’s the sole Republican in the race for Mayor of Irvine.
Since the election is in November and only involves one city, the Greater Irvine RA will vote later this year on endorsing Choi.
Next up: AD-73
Assemblywoman Diane Harkey speaks of spending her own money to be in DC this past week lobbying Congress against high-speed rail. She notes her voting record and endorsements from conservative organizations.
Harkey ENDORSED by voice vote.
END: With shocking efficiency, the convention ended at 1:04, just four minutes late.
The rest of the nation commemorated Martin Luther King, Jr. Day today, and Barack Obama was sworn in to a second term as the 44th President of the United States.
