OC Political

We are live from the OC GOP Central Committee’s second round of endorsements. The first round of endorsements were made on July 30; the only candidates who have been officially endorsed before tonight were endorsed at that July 30 meeting, at the June 18 meeting (Newport Beach City Council: Marshall “Duffy” Duffield, Jr. – District 3, Kevin Muldoon – District 4, Scott Peotter – District 6), or the April 16 meeting (Huntington Beach City Attorney Michael Gates).

At tonight’s meeting, the Central Committee will deliberate the recommendations from the Endorsements Committee’s August 6 meeting, one candidate who asked to be delayed from the Endorsement Committee’s July 19 meeting, and a handful of candidates who collected enough signatures from Central Committee members to bypass the Endorsements Committee and go straight to the full Central Committee.

Here are the candidates on tonight’s docket:
Candidates with an affirmative recommendation from the Endorsements Committee:

• Hon. James Vanderbilt for Anaheim City Council, District 2
• Hon. Cecilia Hupp for Brea City Council
• Brett Eckles for Costa Mesa City Council, District 3
• Hon. Allan Mansoor for Costa Mesa City Council, District 5
• Hon. Greg Sebourn for Fullerton City Council, District 3
• Anthony Kuo for Irvine City Council
• Carrie O’Malley for Irvine City Council
• Neeki Moatazedi for Lake Forest City Council, District 2
• Hon. Scott Voigts for Lake Forest City Council, District 3
• Chip Monaco for Orange City Council
• Austin Lumbard for Tustin City Council
• Chi Charlie Nguyen for Westminster City Council
• Hon. Steve Sheldon for Orange County Water District, Division 5
• Hon. Shawn Dewane for Orange County Water District, Division 7
• Hon. Shawn Dewane for Mesa Water District, Division 5
• Hon. Bill Green for South Coast Water District

Candidates who did not receive the recommendation of the Endorsements Committee:

• Michelle Barto for Newport Mesa Unified School District, Trustee Area 5

Candidates who obtained the required signatures to bypass the Endorsements Committee and come directly before the Central Committee:

• Hon. Dave Harrington for Aliso Viejo City Council
• Hon. Barbara Delgleize for Huntington Beach City Council
• Ron Sterud for Huntington Beach City Council
• Dean Grose for Los Alamitos City Council
• Hon. Ed Sachs for Mission Viejo City Council

California Republican Party Chairman Jim Brulte gives opening remarks on the party’s goals for the rest of 2018, as well as the party’s accomplishments earlier in 2018, such as the recall of Senator Josh Newman (D-Fullerton). He speaks of party infrastructure, phone banking, precinct walking, and other less visible party work. He notes the massive number of California’s Congressional districts: California more Republican Members of Congress than most states have Congressional seats. He speaks about the gas tax. He also speaks about high-speed rail. He speaks about California’s rising crime rate compared to the falling crime rates in the rest of the nation.

Cynthia Thacker speaks briefly to announce a Mark Meuser for Secretary of State biking event on Thursday from Anaheim to Huntington Beach.

Ryan Downing, the Republican nominee against Linda Sanchez in the 38th Congressional District, which is mostly in Los Angeles County but does include the Orange County city of La Palma, makes a request for donations.

The Volunteer of the Month is Sharon Underwood, an active member of the Pat Nixon Republican Women Federated, who has volunteered for Republican candidates and voter registration drives. In addition to recognition from the OC GOP and OCFRW, she receives recognition from Supervisor Todd Spitzer himself and the offices of Board of Equalization Member Diane Harkey, Assemblyman Phillip Chen, and Assessor Claude Parrish.

At 7:50 PM, Endorsements Committee Chair Peggy Huang delivers her committee’s report.

First Consent Calendar

The list of “Candidates with an affirmative recommendation from the Endorsements Committee” is presented as a consent calendar. Munzing moves and Peotter seconds the list.

Baron Night pulls James Vanderbilt (Anaheim City Council, District 2) and Chip Monaco (Orange City Council) from the consent calendar.

The alternate for Konstantinos Roditis pulls Carrie O’Malley (Irvine City Council) from the consent calendar.

James Vanderbilt for Anaheim City Council, District 2

Night argues that Vanderbilt voted for capital appreciation bonds on the school board and that he abstained on the city council on a vote regarding a resolution in support of Proposition 13.

Whitacre moves and Barbre seconds to endorse Vanderbilt.

There is no debate, and the endorsement vote passes by a voice vote.

Chip Monaco for Orange City Council

Night argues that Monaco should bedelayed until Jon Dumitru has had a chance to go through the endorsements process.

Night argues all viable Republican candidates should be heard. He says Dumitru has previously served on the City Council and has not had the chance to be vetted by the Endorsements Committee.

OC GOP Chairman Fred Whitaker notes this is his seat that he is terming out of in Orange. He warns that there are viable Democrats running and specifically names Beatriz Valencia as a strongly viable liberal candidate. She has the second largest campaign warchest in Orange, behind only Monaco. He notes she is already walking precincts. Whitaker notes Dumitru has lost the last three elections he has run in in the City of Orange.

Night’s motion is rejected by a voice vote.

The endorsement for Chip Monaco passes by a voice vote.

Carrie O’Malley for Irvine City Council

Bianka Asik, alternate for Konstantinos Roditis, reads a statement from Roditis expressing his opposition to O’Malley, including a statement that Roditis had emailed Whitaker to say he was instructing Asik to pull and vote against O’Malley.

Whitaker notes that the Democrats are divided into two slates, one backed by Larry Agran and one opposed by Agran. He speaks of Mayor Don Wagner endorsing Anthony Kuo and Carrie O’Malley. He speaks of O’Malley’s tenure in Assemblyman Steven Choi’s office and the homeowners association.

Donovan Higbee moves and Denis Bilodeau seconds endorsing O’Malley.

The endorsement for Carrie O’Malley passes by a voice vote.

Michelle Barto for Newport Mesa Unified School District, Trustee Area 5

Barto is the only candidate on the “Candidates who did not receive the recommendation of the Endorsements Committee” list.

Huang explains that most conservatives are endorsing the NPP candidate in this seat. She says despite being the sole Republican in the race now, Barto was objectionable due to her active involvement as the Assistant Treasurer in a Democrat’s school board campaign two years ago.

Todd Spitzer asked if there was any other objection from the Endorsements Committee.

Huang notes that Mark Bucher expressed concern about Barto’s weakness on charter schools. Erik Weigand noted that on a question regarding political role models, Barto picked two Democrats.

Barto is allowed to speak. Barto says she supports charter schools and feels community support is important for them. She notes her sister went to the Orange County School of the Arts. Barto says she admired Abigail Adams in a 3 minute video and only had a quick aside in support of Maria Shriver’s work on the Special Olympica and Jackie Kennedy’s fashion style. She argues the Democrat she opposed was not running against a Republican.

Congressman Dana Rohrabacher speaks of Barto being one of his strong supporters for years. He notes she supports charter schools and parental choice. He argues she is the only Republican running. He says that most people are not as partisan on races like school board. He calls it a no-brainer.

Rohrabacher moves and Scott Peotter seconds to endorse Barto.

Tim Whitacre asks Barto is she will ever support a Democratic again.

Barto promises not to.

Whitacre asks if she will pledge to work for Republican candidates the same way she has for Rohrabacher.

Barto pledged to do so.

The endorsement of Michelle Barto passes by a voice vote.

Second Consent Calendar

Mike Munzing moves and Steve Sarkis seconds the “Candidates who obtained the required signatures to bypass the Endorsements Committee and come directly before the Central Committee” list.

The list passes unanimously without debate.

Resolution

The committee unanimously approved a resolution to stand behind local school boards choosing to opt out of portions of state-mandated curricula.

Reports

Various reports are delivered.

Flyer Objection

Assemblyman Steven Choi’s alternate, Esther Koh, expressed objection to a flyer at Central Committee that stated it was from Choi’s campaign attacking Harry Sidhu. She stated the flyer was distributed without Choi’s authorization.

Adjournment

The Central Committee adjourns at 8:36 PM.