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Live from OC GOP Central Committee: Endorsements Round 1

Posted by Chris Nguyen on August 18, 2014

We’re live from OC GOP Central Committee for the first round of endorsements for the November General Election.

As is normal for an endorsements meeting, a slew of new alternates are being sworn in (though several represent new ex officio members as this is the first meeting since the Secretary of State certified nominees for the November election).

There are so many elected officials and candidates present that I will not even attempt to list them all.

Pete Peterson, the Republican nominee for Secretary of State, addresses the Central Committee.

Ron Nehring, the Republican nominee for Lieutenant Governor, addresses the Central Committee.

The endorsements agenda consists of:
1. Jim Righeimer – Costa Mesa
2. Lee Ramos – Costa Mesa
3. Yes on Charter – Costa Mesa (Measure O)
4. Peggy Huang – Yorba Linda (November Election)
5. Mark McCurdy – Fountain Valley
6. Tyler Diep – Westminster
7. Jeff Lalloway – Irvine
8. Steven Choi – Irvine Mayor
9. Lynn Schott – Irvine
10. Tom Lindsey – Yorba Linda
11. Tom Tait – Anaheim Mayor
12. Dave Harrington – Aliso Viejo
13. Derek Reeve – San Juan Capistrano
14. Pam Patterson – San Juan Capistrano
15. Jesse Petrilla – Rancho Santa Margarita
16. Robert Ming – Orange County Supervisor, 5th District
17. Craig Alexander – Capistrano Unified School District, Trustee Area 4
18. Fred Whitaker – Orange
19. Ray Grangoff – Orange
20. Steve Sheldon – Orange County Water District, Division 5
21. Timothy Surridge – Orange Unified School District, Trustee Area 5
22. Rick Ledesma – Orange Unified School District, Trustee Area 7
23. David Yang – Tustin Unified School District
24. William Hinz – Lowell Joint School District
25. John Novak – Savanna School District
26. Phil Yarbrough – Rancho Santiago Community College District, Trustee Area 6
27. Sandra Crandall – Fountain Valley School District
28. Measure E – County Contracting with FPPC (Yes)
29. Measure G – Supervisorial Vacancy (Yes)
30. Measure H – Anaheim Union High School District Bond (No)
31. Measure I – Fullerton Joint Union High School District Bond (No)
32. Measure J – North Orange County Community College District Bond (No)
33. Measure K – Orange Unified School District Bond (No)
34. Measure AA – Santa Ana Utility Tax (No)
35. Measure JJ – Yorba Linda Pension & Healthcare Elimination (Yes)
36. Measure W – Irvine Great Park Transparency (Yes)
37. Measure V – Irvine Term Limits (Yes)
38. Measure GG – Stanton Sales Tax (No)
39. Julie Collier – Capistrano Unified School District, Trustee Area 7
40. Ellen Addonizio – Capistrano Unified School District, Trustee Area 6
41. Brett Barbre – Municipal Water District of Orange County, Division 1
42. Diane Dixon – Newport Beach
43. Yorba Linda Recall (No)
44. Measure Y – Newport Beach General Plan Update (Yes)
45. Dave Ellis – Municipal Water District of Orange County, Division 5
46. Scott Voigts – Lake Forest
47. Erik Peterson – Huntington Beach
48. Lynn Semeta – Huntington Beach
49. Mike Posey – Huntington Beach

26 of the 49 items were passed as a consent calendar, except the following 23 people/measures who were pulled for discussion or for referral to the Endorsements Committee:
2. Lee Ramos – Costa Mesa
4. Peggy Huang – Yorba Linda
10. Tom Lindsey – Yorba Linda
11. Tom Tait – Anaheim Mayor
15. Jesse Petrilla – Rancho Santa Margarita
16. Robert Ming – Orange County Supervisor, 5th District
18. Fred Whitaker – Orange
19. Ray Grangoff – Orange
21. Timothy Surridge – Orange Unified School District, Trustee Area 5
22. Rick Ledesma – Orange Unified School District, Trustee Area 7
23. David Yang – Tustin Unified School District
24. William Hinz – Lowell Joint School District
25. John Novak – Savanna School District
27. Sandra Crandall – Fountain Valley School District
30. Measure H – Anaheim Union High School District Bond (No)
31. Measure I – Fullerton Joint Union High School District Bond (No)
32. Measure J – North Orange County Community College District Bond (No)
33. Measure K – Orange Unified School District Bond (No)
38. Measure GG – Stanton Sales Tax (No)
43. Yorba Linda Recall (No)
47. Erik Peterson – Huntington Beach
48. Lyn Semeta – Huntington Beach
49. Mike Posey – Huntington Beach

8:02 PM: Chairman Scott Baugh reveals more than $10,000 in union contributions for Lucille Kring despite her signing the nonunion pledge. He makes a scathing speech blasting Kring for breaking her word. If she disagrees with the pledge, she shouldn’t have signed it, Baugh says. Kring attempts to protest, but cannot speak as a nonmember of the Central Committee. Baugh entertains a motion from Tim Whitacre to endorse Tom Tait for Mayor of Anaheim.

TJ Fuentes speaks in favor of Tait. He speaks of Tait’s servant leadership, Tait’s grassroots activism and efforts to support the Republican Party. Fuentes speaks of Tait standing by his principles of lower taxes, limited government, kindness, and transparency. Fuentes notes Tait is the OCGOP’s 2013 Local Elected Official of the Year.

Alexandria Coronado says the Tait of the past is not the Tait of today. She says he’s given money to Jordan Brandman and Jose F. Moreno. She says Tait is working with unions and was a speaker at a Democratic Party-sponsored event.

By a voice vote:

TAIT ENDORSED.

Fred Whitaker moves the endorsement of Lee Ramos for Costa Mesa City Council. He says Ramos will help unify the city. He says Ramos is the leading conservative candidate for the open seat.

Baugh asks how much Ramos has raised, how much his opponents have raised, and if he has endorsements from Righeimer, Mensinger, and Monahan.

Ramos says he’s raised about $40,000 while the nearest opponent had $9,100. Ramos does have the endorsements.

Desare Ferraro urges delaying this to allow Tony Capitelli to be considered for endorsement.

By voice vote:

RAMOS ENDORSED

One person pulled the endorsements in Huntington Beach, but there is little debate on the Huntington Beach candidates.

PETERSON ENDORSED

SEMETA ENDORSED

POSEY ENDORSED

There is no debate on Peggy Huang for Yorba Linda City Council.

HUANG ENDORSED

Desare Ferraro objects to the endorsement of Tom Lindsey for the November General Election. She says it would be divisive with the recall going on.

Brenda McCune notes she ran against Tom Lindsey in 2010, but she supports his endorsement now. She calls the recall a power grab. She calls Lindsey an independent mind and listener. She calls him a good Republican and family man.

Baron Night proposes a substitute motion to go to Endorsements Committee. He cites the recall.

Brett Barbre notes the recall is October 7 and general election is November 4. He notes the recall costs $300,000. He says Lindsey is a good Republican.

Night’s substitute motion gets 17 votes. There are far more votes against Night’s substitute motion.

A debate of parliamentary procedure ensues.

By a standing vote, there are 39 votes to endorse Lindsey. 37 were needed.

LINDSEY ENDORSED.

Brett Barbre of Yorba Linda moves to endorse against the recall. Scott Peotter of Newport Beach seconds.

Baron Night of Buena Park offers a substitute motion to send it to Endorsements Committee. Tim Whitacre of Santa Ana seconds.

Night argues the recall is a local issue.

Brenda McCune of Yorba Linda says the people of Yorba Linda want to hear from the party because these issues have gone on for quite some time in Yorba Linda.

Scott Baugh speaks of becoming an Assemblyman in the Doris Allen recall. He warns of recalls against Jeff Lalloway, Jim Righeimer, and Deborah Pauly. He warns against recalls for anything other than malfeasance or betrayal of Republican principles.

Night withdraws his substitute motion.

Peotter notes that Young and Lindsey are following the law and the will of the people. He blasts NIMBYs for launching the recall and says that removing Young and Lindsey should be in a general election, not a recall.

Whitacre of Santa Ana helped collect recall signatures in Yorba Linda. He claims that Young and Lindsey received PAC contributions. He claims Mark Schwing and Nancy Rikel are conservatives.

Barbre of Yorba Linda says it seems the longer you live in Yorba Linda the more credibility you have. He says he’s lived there for 45 years. He says the recall is the biggest waste of money he’s ever seen. He notes the recall supporters were the same people who opposed making Imperial Highway a city road. He notes there is ballot box zoning in Yorba Linda. He notes that Young and Lindsey voted for densities 35% below the cap imposed by voters.

Nancy Rikel attacks Young, Lindsey, and Hernandez. She criticizes the Central Committee for endorsing Lindsey. She blasts Young and Lindsey for supporting the Brea Police contract with Yorba Linda. Disruptive audience members who appear to have been brought by Rikel are cheering for Rikel. Rikel complains that the recall cost more because opponents tried to stand at supermarkets to oppose the recall.

Baugh asks Rikel if she’s actually arguing that the taxpayer cost of the recall went up because people opposed the recall. She admits she meant her side’s campaign contribution dollars.

Peggy Huang notes that unions spent $80,000 in the 2012 Yorba Linda election. She notes Rikel lost in 2012 and is running in the recall.

Dennis White recaps the Brea Police Department versus Orange County Sheriff’s Department contract debate in Yorba Linda. Rikel’s disruptive audience members applaud again.

By a voice vote:
ENDORSEMENT FOR “NO” ON THE YORBA LINDA RECALL

By motion of Tony Beall and seconded by Jennifer Beall, the Central Committee votes to send:
JESSE PETRILLA TO ENDORSEMENTS COMMITTEE

Bill Dunlap speaks about Robert Ming being a public servant who is a state leader.

Bill Christiansen speaks on behalf of Darrell Issa that there are two good Republicans running for Fifth District Supervisor.

Baron Night says Lisa Bartlett failed to ask for the endorsement in the general though she did ask for the endorsement in the primary. He calls Ming an active supporter of other Republicans, a conservative, and a successful Councilman.

Steve Nagel speaks on behalf of Lisa Bartlett. He has served with her on various regional committees. He says she is a hard worker and has been a strong Republican in Dana Point and statewide. He says both Ming and Bartlett are good Republicans. He says both applied for the endorsement in the primary and that should stand.

By a voice vote:
MING ENDORSED

Fred Whitaker notes his long term service to the party. He states he is willing to compare his conservative record against anyone else’s. He notes he led the successful effort to eliminate Council compensation. He notes that Orange unions are paying their employee contributions without raises, the only city in the County with this accomplishment.

Deborah Pauly points to Whitaker’s $1,000 campaign contribuition to Democrat Tita Smith for Mayor of Orange. She points to Whitaker’s front yard included a sign in support of Smith.

By a voice vote:
WHITAKER ENDORSED

With no debate:
GRANGOFF ENDORSED

A whole lot of people move to send:
SURRIDGE TO ENDORSEMENTS COMMITTEE
LEDESMA TO ENDORSEMENTS COMMITTEE

Alexandria Coronado moves to send:
YANG TO ENDORSEMENTS COMMITTEE

With little debate since he’s unopposed on the ballot:
HINZ ENDORSED

No one makes a motion on Novak.

Mark Bucher moves to oppose Measures H, I, J, and K, with a second by Deborah Pauly.

Fred Whitaker makes a substitute motion to send all of them to Endorsements Committee, with a second by Baron Night.

Whitaker says four conservative school board members voted for Measure K. He says he doesn’t know anything about the other three measures. He wants the Endorsements Committee to vet them.

Bucher says it’s a simple question of whether the Republican Party stands for or against higher taxes.

There are 24 votes to send the four measures to Endorsements Committee. There are 22 votes against sending the four measures to Endorsements Committee.

MEASURES H, I, J, AND K TO ENDORSEMENTS COMMITTEE

David Shawver speaks in favor of Measure GG. He says the City of Stanton cut $9 million, have 26 employees left, cut spending on public safety. He says the Register said that Stanton has done a good job. Shawver says only three people have opposed this and they’re not Stanton residents.

Mark Bucher says Measure GG is a sales tax for public employees. He says that there are alternatives to higher taxes. If the Republican Party does not oppose higher taxes, the party should fold its tent and go home. Bucher says that sending this to Endorsements Committee will simply result in this coming back to Central Committee.

Shawver attacks Wayne Lindholm. Shawver says the City has cut 6 out of 20 officers. He says they’ve cut everything they can. He encourages people to look at his books. He claims only outsiders oppose this tax and that Stanton voters should decide.

Jon Fleischman notes Diane Harkey opposes this tax. Fleischman agrees with Bucher that approving this tax hike in Stanton will set a precedent where other cities will turn to higher taxes rather than reducing public employee salaries.

By a voice vote:
ENDORSEMENT FOR “NO” ON MEASURE GG

Round 1 of endorsements are complete. Round 2 will be considered in September.

Mary Young thanks everyone who volunteered for the Party at the OC Fair. There’s also a presentation for the Volunteer of the Month.

Mark Bucher says the bills are all paid. Baugh jokingly disputes that.

TJ Fuentes welcomes the new ex officio members and reminds them to pay their $25 dues.

Captain Emily Sanford, USN (Ret.) thanks the Party members for donations of goods to the troops. She encourages more donations, particularly those of the dental variety.

CENTRAL COMMITTEE ADJOURNS AT 9:23 PM.

Posted in 5th Supervisorial District, Aliso Viejo, Anaheim, Anaheim Union High School District, Capistrano Unified School District, Costa Mesa, Fountain Valley, Fountain Valley School District, Fullerton Joint Union High School District, Huntington Beach, Irvine, Lake Forest, Lowell Joint School District, Municipal Water District of Orange County, Newport Beach, North Orange County Community College District, Orange, Orange County, Orange County Water District, Orange Unified School District, Rancho Santa Margarita, Rancho Santiago Community College District, Republican Central Committee, San Juan Capistrano, Tustin Unified School District, Westminster, Yorba Linda | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 13 Comments »

OC’s Top 10 Primary Election Stories

Posted by Chris Nguyen on June 4, 2014

Eric Woolery, Robert Hammond, Linda Lindholm, and Ken Williams

OC Board of Education Group Photo at the Custom Campaigns June 3 Election Night Party at BJ’s in Irvine:
Auditor-Controller-Elect/Orange City Treasurer/Former OCBE Trustee Eric Woolery, OCBE Trustee Robert Hammond, Laguna Niguel Mayor/OCBE Trustee-Elect Linda Lindholm, and OCBE Trustee Ken Williams.

Woolery achieved a historic margin of victory in his race for Auditor-Controller (story #6) while Lindholm knocked off Orange County’s longest-serving-in-a-single-office incumbent (story #5). 

As expected, it was a busy night in yesterday’s primary election.  Here’s a rundown of the top 10 stories:

  1. AD-74: Keith Curry and Matt Harper Advance, Emanuel Patrascu Last – Emami called it, mostly.  Thanks to Karina Onofre spoiling the Democratic vote for Anila Ali, we have an all-Republican battle for AD-74 to replace Assemblyman Allan Mansoor.  Shockingly, Emanuel Patrascu who had the second most money in AD-74 came in fifth while Harper who spent next to nothing (and what he did spend focused on slate mailers) came in a comfortable second.  This comes down to a Newport vs. Huntington battle in the November runoff, as Newport Beach Councilman Curry fights it out with Huntington Beach Mayor Harper for the Assembly seat.  How much in Republican resources will be drained by the AD-74 race in November, as Republicans seek to capture SD-34 and AD-65 from the Democrats?
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  2. AD-73: Bill Brough Wins GOP Nomination, Anna Bryson Last – In this safe Republican seat, Bill Brough’s low-budget operation demonstrated that precinct walking does work for winning open seats.  With Democrat Wendy Gabriella advancing to the runoff with Brough, he is the prohibitive favorite to be the next Assemblymember from the 73rd District and the district’s first Assemblyman in 16 years after Assemblywomen Patricia Bates, Mimi Walters, and Diane Harkey.  Depending on completion of vote counts for absentees and provisionals, Anna Bryson’s IE-laden campaign may have cost well over $100 per vote.  (To put the massive IE spending for Bryson in perspective, here’s how much spending would have been needed for several other candidates in other races to match that rate: Michelle Steel would have needed $2.4 million, Linda Lindholm $3.1 million, and Eric Woolery $11.0 million.)  This race clearly demonstrated: money can’t buy everything.
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  3. AD-55: Ling-Ling Chang Captures Top Spot – In a brutal slugfest between Diamond Bar Councilwoman Ling-Ling Chang and Walnut Valley Unified School District Trustee Phillip Chen with Diamond Bar Councilman Steve Tye threatening to play spoiler, well-funded Chang managed to overcome very-well-funded Chen’s financial advantage to capture the top spot with 28% of the vote, pushing Chen into third place with 23% of the vote and Tye with 22% of the vote.  Democrat Gregg Fritchle came in second with 28% of the vote.  In this safe Republican district, Chang is the prohibitive favorite to be the next Assemblymember from the 55th District, replacing Curt Hagman.
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  4. SD-34: Janet Nguyen Captures Majority of Votes Cast; Republicans Take Almost 2/3 of Votes Cast – It was a foregone conclusion that Orange County Supervisor Janet Nguyen would be the Republican nominee against the Democrats’ nominee, former Assemblyman Jose Solorio, in the hotly-contested SD-34.  What is shocking is that despite the presence of Republican former Orange County Board of Education Trustee Long Pham on the ballot, Nguyen still managed to capture 52% of the vote to Solorio’s 34% in the two-county SD-34 race.  Pham captured 14%.  With Republicans capturing nearly 2/3 of the vote, and Nguyen herself capturing 52%, this builds significant momentum for Nguyen heading into the November race, with Republicans turning to Nguyen to break the Democrats’ supermajority in the State Senate and Democrats turning to Solorio to preserve the Democrats’ Senate supermajority.  (For the record, I am not related to Janet Nguyen. The last name Nguyen is held by 36% of Vietnamese people.)
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  5. Orange County Board of Education: Linda Lindholm Unseats 32-Year Incumbent Giant Slayer Liz Parker – For the last few years, there was a joke in education circles that the way to win an Assembly seat was to lose an Orange County Board of Education race to Liz Parker.  Chuck DeVore lost to Parker in 1990 and won an Assembly seat in 2004. Don Wagner lost to Parker in 1998 and won an Assembly seat in 2010.  However, Parker is done.  After nearly a 1/3 of a century in office, Liz Parker has been unseated by Laguna Niguel Mayor Linda Lindholm.  No elected official in Orange County has held the same office longer than Liz Parker.  (Indeed, Parker graduated from college the same month she was elected to the Orange County Board of Education.)
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  6. Auditor-Controller: Eric Woolery’s Unprecedented Majority – In a five-way race with no incumbent for Auditor-Controller, Orange City Treasurer Eric Woolery won nearly 57% of the vote, nearly 40% better than the second-place candidate, Deputy Auditor-Controller Frank Davies, who won 17% of the vote.  In a race with three or more candidates with no incumbent, there has not been a candidate who has won by such a large margin in at least 30 years and, quite possibly, ever.  Indeed, there was only one candidate in those incumbent-free, 3+ candidate races who even averted a runoff: David Sundstrom, who received 50.3% of the vote for Auditor-Controller in 1998. (Anaheim Mayor Tom Daly won 41% of the vote in a five-way race for Clerk-Recorder in 2002 before winning the runoff.  Assistant Public Administrator Vicki Landrus won 41% of the vote and College Trustee John Williams won 36% of the vote in a four-way race for Public Administrator in 2002; Williams won the runoff.  OC Internal Auditor David Sundstrom won 50.3% of the vote in a three-way race for Auditor-Controller in 1998.  OC Assistant Assessor Webster Guillory won 26% of the vote in a seven-way race for Assessor in 1998 before winning the runoff.)
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  7. Irvine Unified School District: Ira Glasky Renders Special Election Moot, Beats Agran-Backed Candidate – After IUSD Trustee Gavin Huntley-Fenner resigned due to business and family obligations, the IUSD Board appointed Ira Glasky to fill the seat in November 2013.  Utilizing an obscure section of the Education Code, a petition drive gathered the necessary 1,643 signatures (1.5% of registered voters at the 2012 school board election) to invalidate Glasky’s appointment and force a special election.  The special election cost IUSD schools hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars.  Three candidates filed to run: Glasky, Larry Agran-backed Carolyn Inmon, and Bob Vu.  Glasky won 42% of the vote to Inmon’s 37% and Vu’s 22%.  IUSD was forced to spend hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars on a special election that had the same end result as if the special election had never happened.
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  8. Assessor: Webster Guillory vs. Claude Parrish Runoff – In 2010, Webster Guillory won 53% of the vote to Claude Parrish’s 47%, but Parrish ran as “Businessman/Tax Consultant” in 2010.  Parrish is “Taxpayer Advocate/Businessman” this year.  Last night, Guillory won 47% to Parrish’s 43%, with Jorge Lopez getting 10%.  Parrish’s stronger ballot designation narrowed the margin between Guillory and Parrish.  In Guillory’s favor is the fact that November voters are more favorable to incumbents than June voters.  In Parrish’s favor is the fact that he has a stronger ballot designation in 2014 than he did in 2010.  Also in Parrish’s favor is the investigation around whether or not Guillory’s nomination papers were signed by his subordinates at the office on County time; if this garners more publicity it helps Parrish; if it fizzles, it’s moot.
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  9. Supe-5: Robert Ming vs. Lisa Bartlett Runoff – The narrative in this race always had business interests spending on IEs for Mission Viejo Councilman Frank Ury to put him into the runoff for the Fifth District Supervisor’s race.  The conventional wisdom was wrong, as Laguna Niguel Councilman Robert Ming and Dana Point Mayor Lisa Bartlett each achieved 29% of the vote (Ming ahead of Bartlett by 0.4%), with Ury in third at 24% and Deputy District Attorney Joe Williams last at 18%.
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  10. Supe-2: Steel Beats Mansoor 2-1 as Both Make Runoff – Conventional wisdom held that the Second District Supervisor’s race would result in a runoff between Board of Equalization Member Michelle Steel and Assemblyman Allan Mansoor.  What wasn’t expected was just how close to 50% Steel would get or how large her margin over Mansoor would be.  Surpassing most expectations, Steel pulled off 47% of the vote to Mansoor’s 24%, with Coast Community College District Trustee Jim Moreno at 22% and Huntington Beach Councilman Joe Carchio at 8%.

These honorable mentions were things that happened as expected but may have interesting footnotes:

Honorable Mention #1 – CD-45: Raths Falls Short, Jockeying Begins for SD-37 and Even AD-68 – Republican Retired Marine Colonel Greg Raths fell 4% short of overtaking Democrat Educator/Businessman Drew Leavens to advance to the general election with Republican Senator Mimi Walters.  Did Walters’s hit piece (calling Raths a “Bill Clinton Republican” for his assignment to the Clinton White House while serving in the Marine Corps) move the needle 4%?  Jockeying for the special election for Walters’s SD-37 seat and even Assemblyman Don Wagner’s AD-68 seat has already begun since Walters is expected to crush Leavens in CD-45 in November.

Honorable Mention #2 – Shawn Nelson: OC’s Biggest Supervisorial Landslide Ever? With 84% of the vote, Supervisor Shawn Nelson’s reelection bid may well be the most lopsided victory ever achieved by an Orange County supervisor (excluding races where a Supervisor was unopposed or a Supervisor’s only opponent was a write-in candidate).

Honorable Mention #3 – Measure A: OC’s Biggest Landslide Ever? – With 88% of voters in casting ballots in favor of Measure A, the measure may well have achieved the highest percentage ever for a ballot measure in Orange County.

In the interest of full disclosure, clients of Custom Campaigns (the consulting firm that owns OC Political) include four IUSD Trustees (story #7: Ira Glasky, Paul Bokota, Lauren Brooks, and Michael Parham), three OCBE Trustees (story #5: Linda Lindholm, Robert Hammond, and Ken Williams), Eric Woolery (story #6), and Robert Ming (story #9).  Separate and apart from the consulting firm that owns OC Political, this blogger also did the staff work for Measure A (honorable mention #3).

Posted in 2nd Supervisorial District, 34th Senate District, 55th Assembly District, 5th Supervisorial District, 73rd Assembly District, 74th Assembly District, Orange County Auditor-Controller, Orange County Board of Education | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments »

Petrilla and Bartlett Mailers Stir Controversy

Posted by Greg Woodard on May 16, 2014

Allan Bartlett over at Powder Blue posted two mailers he recently got a hold of (see below), one from Jesse Petrilla running for the 73rd Assembly District, and one from Lisa Bartlett running for OC Supervisor in the 5th District.  Bartlett maintains that the Petrilla mailer is deceptive because it contains a quote from OC GOP Chairman Scott Baugh and the OC GOP logo, implying that the party has endorsed Petrilla, which it has not.  The quote, which addresses the influence of public employee unions, is prominently displayed at the top of the mailer in which Petrilla purports to advocate for reforming government pensions.  In a comment on the Powder Blue posting, Mission Viejo activist Larry Gilbert, a Petrilla supporter, disagrees and states that the quote simply connects Chairman Baugh to the OC GOP. The OC GOP only allows endorsed candidates to use the party’s logo.  Petrilla is not endorsed by the OC GOP, and he did not ask for permission to use the party logo.

Also interesting is that Petrilla’s mailer includes a comparison between Petrilla and two other candidates, Anna Bryson and Paul Glaab.  Petrilla attacks Bryson and Glaab as beholden to the unions.  However, Petrilla omits a third major candidate, Bill Brough, from the mailer (for full disclosure, I am supporting Brough in the 73rd).  That raises the question of why Brough was omitted.  Is it because Petrilla cannot attack Brough on union issues, is it because Petrilla sees Brough as his biggest threat and he does not want to give Brough any extra publicity, or is it for another reason?  Inquiring minds want to know.

Over in the race for OC Supervisor, 5th District, Lisa Bartlett has put out a mailer stating that she is the “The Endorsed Conservative Republican” with a letter from Congressman Darrell Issa prominently displayed on the front (more disclosure, I am supporting Robert Ming in this race, though I have little experience or knowledge of Bartlett).  The letter from Issa states that he is endorsing Bartlett’s campaign.  Allan Bartlett contends that the mailer is deceptive because it implies that Bartlett is endorsed by the OC GOP, which she is not.  I have to agree that this mailer is more deceptive than Petrilla’s in that it could lead some to believe that Bartlett is endorsed by the OC GOP simply by its vague wording.  (I will note that the other Republican candidates for the 5th District are also endorsed by many, meaning that they are also “endorsed conservative” Republicans, making her statement false on its face.  She should have put “An Endorsed Conservative Republican” or “The Issa Endorsed Conservative Republican” to be accurate.  I know I am splitting hairs here, and we are talking about mailers which often like to be vague and deceptive for effect, but it still fun to do.)

Both the 73rd AD and 5th District Supervisor races appear to be close.  It remains to be seen whether these mailers and their statements will have any negative impact on either Petrilla or Bartlett, or they are relegated to inside baseball status like so many other of these issues.  We are less than three weeks from the June 3 direct primary election, and it seems that the candidates are ramping up their mail and their message.  It should be a fun election season!

jessepetrilla bartlett

Posted in 5th Supervisorial District, 73rd Assembly District, Orange County Board of Supervisors, State Assembly | Tagged: , , , , , , , | 4 Comments »

AD-73: Petrilla Has Double Cash-on-Hand of All Opponents Combined, Bryson & Brough Nearly Tied, Glaab Deep in Debt

Posted by Chris Nguyen on March 27, 2014

I’m pretty much going to quote my opening paragraph from my January post on the AD-73 race because it serves to remind us of this chaotic year:

Next up in OC Political’s ongoing in-depth analysis of campaign finance figures is the race for the 73rd Assembly District seat being vacated by the termed out Diane Harkey, who is running for the Board of Equalization seat being vacated by the termed out Michelle Steel, who is running for the Second District Supervisor’s seat being vacated by the termed out John Moorlach, who is running for the 45th Congressional District seat being vacated by John Campbell, who voluntarily retired.  (That incredibly long sentence demonstrates a recurring theme in 2014…)

Republican AD-73 Candidates: Jesse Petrilla, Anna Bryson, Bill Brough, Paul Glaab

The four Republican AD-73 Candidates: Jesse Petrilla, Anna Bryson, Bill Brough, Paul Glaab

I’ll also quote the second paragraph from my January post:

There are four announced Republican candidates in AD-73: Rancho Santa Margarita Councilman Jesse Petrilla, Dana Point Councilman Bill Brough, Capistrano Unified School District Trustee Anna Bryson, and former Laguna Niguel Councilman Paul Glaab.  One Democrat, Attorney and Irvine Valley College Professor Wendy Gabriella, has announced for the race.  Gabriella’s entry in the race virtually guarantees a Republican vs. Democrat general election, with the Republican winning handily and spareing South County Republicans an AD-73 general election intraparty bloodbath.

What can I say?  Conditions in AD-73 have been fairly stable.  The announced candidates are exactly the same candidates who qualified for the ballot.  Now on to the latest numbers, which really haven’t moved all that much…

Petrilla’s fundraising slowed in this reporting period ($15,824, second behind Bryson), but his dominant lead ($104,839) from 2013 maintained his position as the AD-73 candidate with the most money raised, with $120,663.  He was the only candidate who raised more than he spent in this reporting period with his $15,228 in expenditures. This brings his total overall spending to just $23,410, and his tight-fisted spending has him actually fourth in expenditures.  Consequently, he has nearly $100,000 cash-on-hand, once loans and unpaid bills are accounted for, with $97,577, to be exact.  Republican Bryson, Republican Brough, and Democrat Gabriella have a combined $49,561 in that category (about half Petrilla’s figure), though adding the deeply-in-debt Republican Glaab leaves Petrilla’s opponents at a combined $14,550, which would mean Republican Petrilla has almost seven times the combined cash-on-hand of his opponents.  It’s not unreasonable to leave Glaab out and note that Petrilla has twice the combined cash-on-hand of his non-indebted opponents.  The biggest question is: why is Petrilla hoarding his money?  I think the most logical conclusion is that Petrilla plans to dominate the AD-73 direct mail.

Bryson raised more than her opponents this reporting period with $29,822, but she spent more than she took in, spending $32,514.  She also has $14,279 in unpaid bills.  Plus, she still lags behind Petrilla in overall funds raised.  She spent half her money on her consultants.  It’s not that her consultants are charging exorbitant rates – it’s simply that she has numerous consultants.  She’s raised $114,965 overall but already spent $75,224; after accounting for that $14,279 in unpaid bills, Bryson is left with just $25,463 cash on hand, assuming she has no plans to spend her $69,600 loan.  Her consulting fees are quickly eating up her once-sizeable warchest.

Bob Dole with AD-73 Candidate Bill Brough

Bob Dole with AD-73 Candidate Bill Brough earlier this month

Brough raised $10,297 this reporting period, bringing his total funds raised to $61,240.  He spent $18,084 this reporting period, bringing his total spending to $39,744.  He has a healthy mix of spending, with no one area jumping out to dominate his spending. He remains the candidate with the smallest loans, by far, at just $100.  He, Petrilla, and Gabriella have no unpaid bills.  Among AD-73 candidates, Brough definitely has the most interesting campaign contributor, former U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole, who was the Republican nominee for President in 1996.  The Brough campaign had announced the Dole endorsement two weeks ago, and Dole gave Brough’s campaign $500.

Glaab raised $8,899 this reporting period, bringing his total funds raised from other people to $36,985.  However, he also donated $22,000 to his campaign in 2013 (not loaned, but truly donated), bringing his total funds raised up to $58,985.  He spent $40,053 this reporting period, bringing his total expenditures to $90,072, the highest level of expenditures of any candidate in AD-73.  While Glaab has a mix of spending, he has spent a fortune on slate mailers.  With the least raised and most spent among the Republican candidates (even after accounting for his self-contribution of $22,000), Glaab is deeply in debt, to the tune of $35,011.  He’s clearly banking on the slate mailer strategy for this race, but he didn’t secure all the slates.

On slates, in my January post, I said, “Glaab secured the vast majority of slate mailers.  There are five major slate vendors, with Glaab grabbing three of them, including the two vendors who produce the most slate mailers.  Bryson grabbed one vendor.  It appears the fifth vendor is up for grabs still.”  Well, Brough has since nabbed the fifth vendor.  Slate mailers are now divided in this race, with three candidates nabbing the major slates, though Glaab has the lion’s share.

Nothing new regarding loans or candidate self-funding, so here’s the paragraph from my January post on that:

Here at OC Political, we’ve railed repeatedly against the $100,000 paper tiger loans.  (These loans of $100,000 or less are frequently used by candidates to artificially inflate their warchest numbers.  While OC Political has many posts about those, this one is probably the seminal post on the issue.)  I will give Paul Glaab credit for actually spending his own money. Glaab put his money where his mouth is, and donated $22,000 to his own campaign beyond the $100,000 loan he made to his campaign.  State campaign finance regulations put that $22,000 forever out of Glaab’s reach; it is nonrefundable, and he must spend it on the campaign.  Glaab was well aware of this regulation and properly reported the $22,000 as a contribution, not a loan.

Democrat Wendy Gabriella raised $4,592 this reporting period, bringing her total funds raised to $16,703.  She spent $9,507 this reporting period, bringing her total expenditures to $14,089.  (Interestingly, top fundraiser Petrilla’s spending is so low that his expenditure levels are closer to dead-last fundraiser Gabriella’s than to any of his Republican opponents.)  With no unpaid bills and a candidate loan of $1,196, Gabriella’s cash-on-hand is $2,614.

Here’s the chart:

Candidate 2013
Contrib.		 1/1/14-
3/17/14
Contrib.		 Candidate
Contrib.		 Total
Contrib.		 Candidate
Loans		 Unpaid
Bills		 2013
Expend.		 1/1/14-
3/17/14
Expend.		 Total
Expend.		 Cash-
on-Hand
(COH)		 COH
Minus
Unpaid
Bills		 COH
Minus
Unpaid
Bills &
Loans
Petrilla $104,839 $15,824 $0 $120,663 $3,500 $0 $8,182 $15,228 $23,410 $101,077 $101,077 $97,577
Bryson $85,143 $29,822 $0 $114,965 $69,600 $14,279 $42,710 $32,514 $75,224 $109,342 $95,063 $25,463
Brough $50,943 $10,297 $0 $61,240 $100 $0 $21,660 $18,084 $39,744 $21,584 $21,584 $21,484
Glaab $28,086 $8,899 $22,000 $58,985 $100,000 $3,925 $50,019 $40,053 $90,072 $68,914 $64,989 -($35,011)
Gabriella $12,111 $4,592 $0 $16,703 $1,196 $0 $4,582 $9,507 $14,089 $5,693 $5,693 $2,614
Notes: Figures may be off by one dollar due to rounding.

Campaign finance reports for January 1-March 17, 2014 were due Monday.

Posted in 73rd Assembly District | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment »

Petrilla Named Most Recent Pathfinder Candidate By California Trailblazers: Joins 5 Other OC Candidates

Posted by Former Blogger Chris Emami on March 24, 2014

I have been meaning to write about this for a while but got behind with a ton of work that had piled up on my desk.

petrilla

Orange County has a number of candidates that have advanced to ‘Pathfinder’ status by the California Trailblazers. Jesse Petrilla (AD 73) joins Janet Nguyen (SD 34), Pat Bates (SD 36), Ling-Ling Chang (AD 55), Phillip Chen (AD 55), and Young Kim (AD 65).

In order to explain a bit more about how the California Trailblazers program works, here is an excerpt from a press release that they issued:

California Trailblazers Announces Four ‘Pathfinder’ Candidates
http://www.catrailblazers.com/news/40/15/California-Trailblazers-Announces-Four-Pathfinder-Candidates/

Senate and Assembly candidates surpass rigorous campaign goals and earn distinction

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – California Trailblazers today announced another round of Republican candidates who have advanced to ‘Pathfinder’ status, the first level in the program’s three-tier structure. The Trailblazers program is off to a strong start with a majority of state Assembly and Senate candidates enrolled in the program. With today’s announcement, 13 candidates have reached ‘Pathfinder’ status. The Trailblazers program successfully helps candidates strengthen their campaigns by providing resources, training opportunities and practical skills so they are equipped to build and run winning campaigns.

“To renew and rebuild the Republican Party, we need to help develop quality Republican candidates who represent their districts’ values and are well-positioned to connect and engage with voters. Our goal is to elevate candidates and strengthen their campaigns by encouraging them to achieve specific benchmarks throughout the campaign cycle,” said California Trailblazers CEO Jessica Patterson. “Candidates move up the ranks as they reach aggressive benchmarks and develop a strong campaign infrastructure.” Re: CA Trailblazers Announce Petrilla as ‘Pathfinder’ Candidate Page 1 of 3

The three-tier structure encourages candidates to advance through the levels of ‘Pathfinder,’ ‘Rising Star’ and ‘Trailblazer’ by providing tools and resources for candidates to develop successful campaigns.

California Trailblazers distinguishes candidates as ‘Pathfinders’ once they’ve established the foundation for a robust and winning campaign. ‘Pathfinder’ candidates have raised more than $100,000 in campaign contributions, identified local volunteers and precinct captains and created a substantial online presence through a dynamic website and active social media effort.

This is big news for Petrilla who is likely fending off CUSD Trustee Anna Bryson to advance to the November General Election. Petrilla is already the leading fundraiser in AD 73 and has always been known for having a large amount of grassroots supporters. A combination of his being named a ‘Pathfinder’, raising the most money, having a strong grassroots network, and his military background are leading me to believe that he will be tough to beat in June.

Petrilla finished in first place in the 2010 Rancho Santa Margarita City Council race (impressively finishing ahead of 2 incumbents):

RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA Member, City Council                                   
Number To Vote For: 3
Completed Precincts: 31 of 31
                 Vote Count                 Percentage                
JESSE PETRILLA 7,396 22.9%
STEVEN BARIC 6,915 21.4%
* GARY THOMPSON 6,843 21.2%
* NEIL C. BLAIS 6,823 21.1%
LAWRENCE (LARRY) MCCOOK 4,326 13.4%

* Indicates Incumbent Candidate, if any

Ironically, I believe that Wendy Gabriella will come in first in June due to the Republican vote being split amongst four candidates. Whoever emerges from this brutal primary will likely coast in the November election against Wendy Gabriella.

Posted in 73rd Assembly District | Tagged: , , , , , , , | 2 Comments »

Petrilla Makes Statement to CRA About 2001 Arrest – Double Wow!

Posted by Craig P. Alexander on March 4, 2014

As Chris Nguyen accurately reported over the weekend (Live From the CRA Endorsing Convention), Jesse Petrilla made a statement to the delegates at the California Republican Assembly’s Orange County endorsing convention about his past criminal problems.  He did it via a spokesperson who explained that he was away at National Guard training last weekend.  Part of that statement was his defense from those “attacking him” regarding his 2001 felony convictions.  Part of his statement was that he beat the charges.  I was there and serving as the Parliamentarian for the group so I was right next to the podium when the statement was read. Since he told a different story to the Orange County Register the day prior to the convention (See: Does a conviction matter?) – either Mr. Petrilla isn’t keeping his stories straight or his spokesperson did not read the correct statement to the delegates.  Either way this does not bode well for him.

Assuming the statement that was read to us at CRA was the one Mr. Petrilla wished us to hear, the statement is shocking.  I am an attorney although I do not practice criminal law. However, I do know and understand that when you plead no contest and the judge explains to you that such a plea is the same as a guilty plea (and you state you understand that as Petrilla did) – that is not “beating the charges” but admitting to the crime.  That is why I was so shocked by his prior statement of only a few weeks ago in my post about this: Petrilla Statement – Wow!  The Rancho Santa Margarita Patch also carried a story about his prior statement of a few weeks ago which includes copies of the actual court documents from his criminal case confirming his plea bargain and sentence (Did Petrilla Lie?)

Now at the CRA convention he apparently doubles down by having a statement read to us in which he claims to have “beat the charges!”  I guess Jesse Petrilla and some of his supporters don’t understand something extremely important – that Mr. Petrilla’s statements about this incident in which he essentially denies that he plead no contest (i.e. guilty) to two felony charges were only four weeks ago and last Saturday!!!  It is his truthfulness now that concerns me more than what happened in 2001.

Am I glad he served his time and apparently got his two convictions expunged from his record – Yes!  Am I glad he is proudly serving in the U.S. Army – Yes and thank you for your service Mr. Petrilla!  But that does not excuse him from giving out statements like those referenced above to try and make people believe he “beat the charges” or “they were all dismissed” implying he was never convicted of a crime.  As with my prior posts about this issue – don’t take my word for it – go to the Patch post linked above, read the article and the attached pages and make the judgment for yourself.

Perhaps Mr. Petrilla needs to spend a little money and time to consult with a criminal defense attorney about what a “no contest” plea means and what his obligations are under California Penal Code Section 1203.4 in a political campaign (I will leave it to Mr. Petrilla to consult with his attorney about that section of the law).

I am and have been supporting Bill Brough for the 73rd Assembly.  See: Why I Am Supporting Bill Brough for the 73rd Assembly.

Posted in 73rd Assembly District, Rancho Santa Margarita, Uncategorized | Tagged: , | Leave a Comment »

CRA Recap: Bates, Ming Unanimously Endorsed; Steel, Brough, Harper Endorsed; CD-45 Deadlock

Posted by Chris Nguyen on March 1, 2014

CRA Logo

OC Political live-blogged the Orange County CRA endorsements this morning.  Here’s the quicky recap for those of you who just want the results:

CRA Endorsements

  • Supervisor Patricia Bates was endorsed by unanimous consent for the 36th Senate District.
  • Laguna Niguel Councilman Robert Ming was endorsed by unanimous consent for the 5th Supervisorial District.
  • Board of Equalization Member Michelle Steel was endorsed for the 2nd Supervisorial District, defeating Assemblyman Allan Mansoor 28-9.
  • Dana Point Councilman Bill Brough was endorsed for the 73rd Assembly District, defeating Rancho Santa Margarita Councilman Jesse Petrilla 12-3, with former Laguna Niguel Councilman Paul Glaab receiving no votes.
  • Huntington Beach Mayor Matt Harper was endorsed for the 74th Assembly District, defeating Newport Beach Councilman Keith Curry 14-3.
  • In the 45th Congressional District, Supervisor John Moorlach and Senator Mimi Walters fought through three rounds, but the convention deadlocked, so no endorsement was made in this race.  In the first round, Walters got 13 votes while Moorlach got 12, and retired United States Marine Corps Colonel Greg Raths received no votes.  Walters and Moorlach advance to a second-round run-off, in which they tied with 12 votes each.  In the third and final round, Walters got 14 votes while Moorlach got 9 votes.  It required a 2/3 vote to endorse, so CD-45 failed to produce an endorsement.

All other races on the June ballot will be considered in three weeks on Saturday, March 22.

Posted in 2nd Supervisorial District, 36th Senate District, 45th Congressional District, 5th Supervisorial District, 73rd Assembly District, 74th Assembly District | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments »

Live from CRA Endorsing Convention

Posted by Chris Nguyen on March 1, 2014

We’re live from the Orange County CRA endorsing convention in Buena Park.

2ND SUPERVISORIAL DISTRICT

First up is Second Supervisorial District. Apologies to Board of Equalization Member Michelle Steel and Assemblyman Allan Mansoor as a technical glitch delayed the start of my liveblogging, so we don’t have coverage of their opening speeches.

This one is a long ballot with seven units eligible to vote: Costa Mesa, Fountain Valley, Huntington Beach, West Orange County, Stanton, Corona Del Mar, and Buena Park.

28 votes were cast for Michelle Steel.
9 votes were cast for Allan Mansoor.

STEEL ENDORSED.

45TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

Next up is the 45th Congressional District.

First to speak is Supervisor John Moorlach. He speaks about his tenure in CRA, including as a unit president and state assistant treasurer. He says he’s pro-life and pro-death penalty. He speaks about how he entered elected office to run against Democrat Robert Citron. He says all five Republicans who were members of the Board of Supervisors back then opposed his candidacy, so Moorlach is not afraid to stand up to the powers that be. He speaks about the OC bankruptcy. He speaks about his record reducing medical unfunded liability. He speaks about his ordinance that banned PLAs in County government (except when mandated by the federal government). He speaks about stopping County funding of Planned Parenthood. He spoke of his charter amendment requiring retroactive pension increases to be approved by voters. He speaks of his opposition to eminent domain. He speaks of his opposition to the Anaheim streetcar. He notes his endorsement by Tom McClintock.

Don Gilchrist asks how many CPAs will be in Congress if Moorlach wins. Moorlach takes the opportunity to note that he’s reduced the number of County employees. He says there are two CPAs, and he will increase it by 50%.

A delegate asks about medical marijuana. Moorlach says he is open to use of medical marijuana for legitimate medical purposes. He speaks of his vote for medical marijuana ID cards and of his late brother-in-law’s use of medical marijuana.

Greg Raths sent Bob Schuman to represent him due to Raths being at his sister-in-law’s funeral. Schuman says Raths is not a politician nor is he beholden to lobbyists. Raths served in the military. Schuman says Raths is the only Republican candidate who actually lives in CD-45. He says Raths was Assistant Chief of Staff for the White House Military Office. He says Raths wants to cut the size and scope of government to help businesses create jobs. He notes Raths’s wife teaches at UCI and their two daughters are teachers, and Raths supports local control by getting the federal government out of education. He says Raths supports increased vocational education. He says Raths wants to repeal Obamacare. Schuman says Obama is killing the American Dream, and he says Raths wants to get government out of people’s way to restore the American Dream.

A delegate asks if it’d be productive to have a vote to repeal Obamacare since there were already 34 failed votes.

Schuman says we need to elect more people who oppose Obamacare to

Senator Mimi Walters talks about her four children: three in college and one high school senior. She’s been married 25 years. She speaks of her activism. She speaks of being elected to the Laguna Niguel City Council while pregnant in 1996. She speaks of her tough race to be successfully elected to the Assembly and her race for the Senate. She speaks of her 100% rating from the CA Taxpayers Assn and the Pro-Life Council. She speaks of her “A” rating from both the CRA and the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association. She says she wants to cut taxes to spur consumer spending to help the economy. She says we need to pay off the national debt. She says we need the Keystone Pipeline and a strong national defense. She says that Obamacare needs to be repealed and reformed. She notes she’s been campaigning every single day since John Campbell retired. She notes endorsements from most of the CA Congressional delegation and various local endorsements.

Benita Gagne asks if Walters supports impeaching Obama.

Walters says it’s more important to pass issues by working with Democrats rather than making herself less relevant by trying to impeach Obama.

Jen Beall thanks Walters for her support in Capistrano Unified School District and asks her what she plans to do to fight Obamacare.

Walters says Republicans are working on a thoughtful plan that she was told about when she was in DC.

A delegate asks if she’s accepted any union money.

Walters says she has not accepted any union money from the $700,000 she raised and notes neither of her opponents has more than $50,000.

In the 45th Congressional District, Rancho Santa Margarita, Saddleback, Anaheim, Tustin, and Orange/Villa Park are voting.

There is no endorsement after the first round because no candidate has reached 2/3. The vote totals are not announced.

There are 12 votes for Moorlach, 13 votes for Walters, and no votes for Raths.

Walters says she is the true conservative with a proven record. She says she has an A+ CRA rating. She says she has stood up to Democrats in the Legislature. She says she is endorsed by Congressmen Ed Royce, Darrell Issa, Doug La Malfa, and Duncan Hunter.

Moorlach says the County was forced to implement Obamacare. He says he successfully opposed a federal grant to advertise Obamacare’s anti-obesity efforts. Moorlach says he will be a hardworking accountant who will fight to cut the budget and taxes. He says he fought against the 405 toll road as a double tax.

There is now a tie, with 12 votes each for Moorlach and Walters.

Moorlach speaks of Orange County’s improved credit rating and the nation’s poor credit. He says his pollster did President Ronald Reagan’s pollster. Moorlach says the polling shows he is ahead of Walters. He says he will ramp up fundraising. He says he will be a great Congressman. He says CRA should put one of its own members in Congress.

Walters speaks of her ratings. She says she “badly wants” the CRA endorsement. She says she is the only candidate who has to go to Sacramento during the week making it difficult for her to campaign in the district. She says she tried to reach out to the delegates that she doesn’t know really well. She says she has been a grassroots volunteer for 20 years.

Walters received 14 votes, Moorlach received 9 votes.

NO ENDORSEMENT IN CD-45.

74TH ASSEMBLY DISTRICT

Huntington Beach Mayor Matt Harper speaks about his activism since the Doris Allen recall. He speaks about his efforts to defeat school bonds, taxes, the beach fire ring ban, and the 405 toll lanes.

A delegate asks about amnesty and about the Lincoln Club’s immigration plan.

Harper says he opposes both.

Newport Beach Councilman Keith Curry did not fill out the CRA questionnaire. He notes he’s been to CRA conventions since 1974, one year before Harper ewas born. Curry speaks of his work with Paul Gann to pass the Gann Limit. He speaks of working for the Reagan Administration. He speaks of joining a private company that he eventually co-owned and grew to 400 employees. He speaks of his work at Concordia University with Christian students. He speaks of his passage of pension reform in Newport Beach, including an award from the OC Taxpayers Association for the City. He speaks of his work getting a Ronald Reagan statue erected. He speaks of protecting Prop 13 and opposing the split role. He speaks of opposing tax increases and supporting tax cuts. He speaks of opposing AB 109 prison realignment. He speaks of supporting local control for beach fire rings.

Former Newport Beach Councilman Dick Nichols asks about the Newport Beach budget being balanced via pension accounting gimmicks.

Curry says the state changed the CalPERS assumption rate, but Newport Beach still has a balanced budget regardless of the CalPERS moving target.

A delegate asks about amnesty and about the Lincoln Club immigration plan.

Curry says he’s a longtime Lincoln Club member, he opposes amnesty, and he supports immigration reform.

For the 74th Assembly District, the CRA units voting are Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach, Saddleback, and Corona Del Mar.

There were 14 votes for Matt Harper, and 3 votes for Keith Curry.

HARPER ENDORSED.

36TH SENATE DISTRICT

Supervisor Pat Bates says she’s probably Orange County’s longest serving elected official, but she shouldn’t be considered a career politican. She was a social worker helping people get a hand up, not a hand out. She speaks of her husband’s business and their battles against government regulation. She speaks of needing to break the Democrats’ supermajority. She speaks of the need for Sacramento politicians to be in touch with their districts. She speaks of her conservative activism. She speaks of founding Laguna Niguel. She speaks of supporting CCWs. She speaks of opposing the “nanny government” social host ordinance. She speaks of being supported by conservative organizations over the years. She says she is currently unopposed but doubts she will be unopposed by the end of filing.

Craig Alexander asks about the Board of Supervisors vote on Planned Parenthood funding.

Bates thanks Craig for his help in her efforts with Moorlach to stop the Planned Parenthood funding. She speaks of working with Moorlach to turn down the Obamacare grant for food pyramids. She speaks of her disabled relative who lost health insurance for a month because of Obamacare.

Chandra Chell asks about Joel Anderson’s bill to protect the 4th Amendment.

Bates says she’s supportive of Anderson’s efforts.

BATES ENDORSED BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

5TH SUPERVISORIAL DISTRICT

Laguna Niguel Councilman Robert Ming speaks of being in the trenches with conservative activists. He speaks of changes coming to the Board of Supervisors, with Bates and Moorlach terming out and Janet Nguyen running for the 34th Senate District. He speaks of his themes of integrity, fiscal responsibility, and leadership. Laguna Niguel keeps its promises to voters. Laguna Niguel has no debt rating because it has no debt. He speaks about the County’s labor contract negotiations. He speaks of his business experience negotiating contracts. He speaks of founding the ACC-OC to leave the leftward League of Cities. He speaks of creating the Pension Reform Committee as ACC-OC’s first committee. He speaks of his endorsements by numerous conservative officials. He notes that neither of his opponents have sought the endorsement.

MING ENDORSED BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

73RD ASSEMBLY DISTRICT

Rancho Santa Margarita Councilman Jesse Petrilla sent a representative because he is with his National Guard unit. Petrilla says he is a strong voice for fiscal conservatism and social conservatism. He declined the City Council health and retirement benefits. He speaks of being attacked for charges from his troubled youth of charges he beat. He speaks of serving in the military in Afghanistan, of being a husband, and of being a father.

Rancho Santa Margarita Mayor Tony Beall asks about Petrilla’s 2001 felony convictions and about his untruthfulness in 2014 about the incident and that he didn’t beat the charges because he was sent to jail and the charges were expunged not beaten and that he is still required by the Court to disclose the convictions.

The spokeswoman says 30-year-old Petrilla has done a 180 since he was 17 years old when these incidents occurred. She points to second chances for Jim Rogan, Darrell Issa, and Tony Rackauckas.

Dana Point Councilman Bill Brough speaks of his service in the United States Army as a paratrooper on active duty. He speaks of his work in Congressman Chris Cox’s office and of his work in the White House. He speaks of fighting the establishment when he was elected to the Dana Point Council, including his efforts to stop a Dana Point plastic bag ordinance. He speaks of the Dana Point Town Center plan where new public-private partnerships are building six projects after years of stagnation. He speaks of his record on pension reform. He speaks of ending hand outs. He homeschools his son. He pulled himself up by his bootstraps. He says AD-73 is the second-safest Republican seat in the Assembly and should be occupied by someone who will help elect more Republicans.

Former Laguna Niguel Councilman Paul Glaab says all the AD-73 candidates are friends running for something not against each other. Glaab says he’s Catholic, pro-life, and a lifelong Republican. Glaab says Walters, Bates, and Ming all stole his thunder since they all spoke about the record in Laguna Niguel. He notes Laguna Niguel is one of the best run cities in America. He says he is pro-gun and pro-2nd Amendment. He says government needs to be reined in. He says it is important to be pro-business. Glaab calls CRA an “association.”

For the 73rd Assembly District, the units voting are Rancho Santa Margarita, Saddleback, and South Orange County.

There were 12 votes for Brough, 3 votes for Petrilla, and no votes for Glaab.

BROUGH ENDORSED.

Convention adjourns to March 22.

TODAY’S ENDORSEMENTS

Supe-5: Ming (Unanimously)
SD-36: Bates (Unanimously)

Supe-2: Steel
AD-73: Brough
AD-74: Harper

CD-45: No endorsement

Posted in 2nd Supervisorial District, 36th Senate District, 45th Congressional District, 5th Supervisorial District, 73rd Assembly District, 74th Assembly District | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments »

Why I Am Supporting Bill Brough for the 73rd State Assembly

Posted by Craig P. Alexander on February 5, 2014

I am supporting Dana Point City Councilman Bill Brough (Bill Brough) for the 73rd Assembly seat being vacated by Diane Harkey (due to term limits). There are many reasons why I support Bill as the best candidate for this seat. Bill, a veteran of the United States Army, is currently a member of the City of Dana Point City Council, the city where I reside. Therefore I have seen first hand his work at the city council level to know Bill Brough is a man who stands by his principles and works to get positive things done in my city. As an example: Bill has been a leader in getting the long planned but stalled Town Center Project (the re-vitalization of our downtown area) going again. All without any taking of private property and selling it to some other private entity (crony capitalism) or having the city go into debt via bonds or some other means. Bill has advocated for years for lowering taxes and fees for the citizens of Dana Point and to encourage development of commercially zoned properties such as the Town Center area.

Being someone who believes in freedom, Bill Brough was the sole vote on the city council against Dana Point’s foolish plastic bag ban (current City Councilman Carlos Olvera was not on the council when the plastic bag ban vote was taken).  See Dana Point City Council votes for Plastic Bag Ban.  Bill is still against the plastic bag ban partially due to there being no proof that the ban has lowered the cost of keeping the city cleaner. This is in stark contrast to Dana Point’s Mayor Lisa Bartlett who voted with the majority of the council in favor of the ban (I am also supporting Laguna Niguel City Councilman Robert Ming in his race for Orange County Supervisor for the 5th District (Robert Ming for Supervisor) for many positive pro Robert Ming reasons but Ms. Bartlett’s vote for the plastic bag ban and her votes to increase tolls on the 241 toll roads are another reason I am supporting Robert Ming and opposing Ms. Bartlett’s bid for that seat.  I have a lot of company in that belief – Ming Outraises All His Opponents Combined).

Getting back to Bill Brough, until about this time last year, Bill was Diane Harkey’s Chief of Staff so Bill knows not only Sacramento but the 73rd Assembly seat in particular – Bill Brough will not need to play “catch up” to begin to be effective as our representative in the Assembly.

There are a lot of reasons I do not support some of Bill’s opponents for this seat (see my prior posts about Jesse Petrilla (Patch Post & Petrilla Statement) and the latest post over at the Rancho Santa Margarita Patch (Did Petrilla Lie…)  – now the court documents about the 2001 criminal case are posted there and about Anna Bryson – Why does the Teachers Union Love Anna Bryson).  But most importantly Bill Brough is a great candidate even without the problems his competitors have. I highly recommend you go to Bill Brough’s web site (www.billbrough.org), check him out and contact him via the web site. I believe you will like what you find out about Bill – especially if you contact him via his web page.

For anyone interested in who I am, I am a practicing attorney who lives and works in Dana Point and a volunteer activist for limited and constitutional government.  I am not on any candidate’s payroll and I do not work as a political consultant.

Posted in 73rd Assembly District, Dana Point | Tagged: , , , , , , | 5 Comments »

AD-73: Petrilla Maintains Fundraising Lead, Brough Net Positive, Bryson Spending Big, Glaab in Debt

Posted by Chris Nguyen on February 5, 2014

Next up in OC Political’s ongoing in-depth analysis of campaign finance figures is the race for the 73rd Assembly District seat being vacated by the termed out Diane Harkey, who is running for the Board of Equalization seat being vacated by the termed out Michelle Steel, who is running for the Second District Supervisor’s seat being vacated by the termed out John Moorlach, who is running for the 45th Congressional District seat being vacated by John Campbell, who voluntarily retired.  (That incredibly long sentence demonstrates a recurring theme in 2014.  Between AD-55, AD-73, AD-74, SD-34, CD-45, the Second Supervisorial District, the Fifth Supervisorial District, and possibly SD-36, there isn’t a single place in Orange County without a major competitive race at some point this year.)

Republican AD-73 Candidates: Jesse Petrilla, Anna Bryson, Bill Brough, Paul Glaab

Republican AD-73 Candidates: Jesse Petrilla, Anna Bryson, Bill Brough, Paul Glaab

There are four announced Republican candidates in AD-73: Rancho Santa Margarita Councilman Jesse Petrilla, Dana Point Councilman Bill Brough, Capistrano Unified School District Trustee Anna Bryson, and former Laguna Niguel Councilman Paul Glaab.  One Democrat, Attorney and Irvine Valley College Professor Wendy Gabriella, has announced for the race.  Gabriella’s entry in the race virtually guarantees a Republican vs. Democrat general election, with the Republican winning handily and spares South County Republicans an AD-73 general election intraparty bloodbath.

For a walk down memory lane, here’s what I wrote six months ago after the last set of campaign finance numbers came out in AD-73.  On to the latest numbers…

Jesse Petrilla held on to his fundraising lead, but more notably, his massive lead from the previous fundraising period combined with his tight-fisted approach to spending has given him more cash-on-hand than all of his opponents combined.  He raised $69,230 the prior period and $35,609 this latest period, giving him a total raised of $104,839.  He spent a remarkably low $8,182 in both periods combined.  Once loans and unpaid bills are accounted for, Petrilla’s $96,593 cash on hand exceeds that of all of his opponents combined.

While not as dramatic as Petrilla, Bill Brough is steadily building his warchest and is spending less than he’s raising, thereby producing a net positive.  Brough raised $50,943, with $30,899 from the prior period and $20,044 this period while spending $16,345 this period (and $5,315 the prior period), leaving him with $29,270 cash on hand once loans are accounted for (Brough was the sole candidate who had no unpaid bills in AD-73.)

Anna Bryson spent slightly more than she took in during the latest reporting period in the second half of 2013, so she’s eaten into the money she raised in the prior reporting period from the first half of 2013.  Fees dominated her spending.  She paid a consulting firm, two fundraising firms, and a treasurer.  Bryson raised $85,143, with $53,052 the prior period and $32,091 in the latest period while spending $32,140 in this period (and $10,570 the prior period), leaving her with $37,433 cash on hand once loans and unpaid bills are accounted for.

Here at OC Political, we’ve railed repeatedly against the $100,000 paper tiger loans.  (These loans of $100,000 or less are frequently used by candidates to artificially inflate their warchest numbers.  While OC Political has many posts about those, this one is probably the seminal post on the issue.)  I will give Paul Glaab credit for actually spending his own money.  Glaab put his money where his mouth is, and donated $22,000 to his own campaign beyond the $100,000 loan he made to his campaign.  State campaign finance regulations put that $22,000 forever out of Glaab’s reach; it is nonrefundable, and he must spend it on the campaign.  Glaab was well aware of this regulation and properly reported the $22,000 as a contribution, not a loan.

Glaab secured the vast majority of slate mailers.  There are five major slate vendors, with Glaab grabbing three of them, including the two vendors who produce the most slate mailers.  Bryson grabbed one vendor.  It appears the fifth vendor is up for grabs still.

However, this massive spending has left Glaab as the only candidate in debt.

Glaab raised $13,337 this period and $14,749 the prior period, for a total of $28,086.  Adding his own $22,000, that brings that figure to $50,086, which is still the lowest amount raised of any of the four candidates.  He spent a negligible $470 the prior period and $49,549 in this latest period.  His aggregate $50,019 was the most spent of any of the four candidates.  With the least raised and most spent, Glaab has heavily relied on his self-funding.  Once unpaid bills and loans are accounted for, Glaab is $6,617 in debt.

Here’s the chart:

Candidate 1/1/13-6/30/13
Contributions		 7/1/13-12/31/13
Contributions		 Candidate
Contributions		 Candidate
Loans		 Unpaid
Bills		 1/1/13-6/30/13
Expenditures		 7/1/13-12/31/13
Expenditures		 Cash on Hand
(COH)		 COH Minus
Unpaid Bills		 COH Minus
Unpaid Bills
& Loans
Petrilla $69,230 $35,609 $0 $3,500 $388 $3,622 $4,560 $100,481 $100,093 $96,593
Bryson $53,052 $32,091 $0 $69,600 $5,000 $10,570 $32,140 $112,033 $107,033 $37,433
Brough $30,899 $20,044 $0 $100 $0 $5,315 $16,345 $29,370 $29,370 $29,270
Glaab $14,749 $13,337 $22,000 $100,000 $6,685 $470 $49,549 $100,068 $93,383 -($6,617)
Notes: Figures may be off by one dollar due to rounding.

Campaign finance reports for January 1-June 30, 2013 were due last week.

Posted in 73rd Assembly District | Tagged: , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments »

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