Anaheim resident Jose Moreno pulled papers today for the 69th Assembly District, although I don’t know yet if he qualified for the June ballot. No, I am not talking about Dr. Jose F. Moreno, the well-known President of the Board of Education for the Anaheim City School District. That Jose Moreno is a Democrat.
The Jose Moreno who pulled papers is a Republican. He works for the County of Orange as an “eligibility technician.”
Will voters in Anaheim be able to tell the difference between the two Jose Morenos? I don’t think so.
So what does this mean for the hotly contested 69th Assembly District race? Well, I think it really hurts ultra-liberal candidate Julio Perez. Remember this is an open primary. Democrats in Anaheim may opt to vote for a name they recognize, as opposed to the almost totally unknown Perez.
Ultimately it is another Latino name on the ballot, which hurts all of the Latino candidates, but the most harm is done to Perez – and also to Daly. Why is that? Well, Daly was going to benefit the most, by the last minute pull-out from the race by Republican Robert Hammond, who opted instead to run for Area One of the Orange County Board of Education. But now Republicans have another option to vote for, in Moreno.
Moreno also further dilutes the male vote, benefiting Santa Ana Council Member Michele Martinez, who is the only woman on the primary ballot.
There has been some controversy about allowing last minute candidates to file this week for the 69th A.D. Apparently that was an error by the Secretary of State. I don’t see that being challenged however. Unless perhaps Perez or Daly decide to go to court over this, which I suppose could happen.