Term-limited Orange County Supervisor John Moorlach has decided to run for the 37th State Senate District, which has been vacated by Mimi Walters, who is going to replace John Campbell in the U.S. House of Representatives, according to the Flash Report.
What this means is that Moorlach, who is well known for having predicted the Orange County bankruptcy (which was caused by a Democrat, Bob Citron, who was the OC Tax Collector-Treasurer at the time), will be facing off against State Assemblyman Don Wagner.
Wagner could have a tough time dealing with those opposed to his “openness to amnesty, as evidenced by a controversial letter that he signed addressed to members of Congress from late last year. Wagner was one of two local Assemblymen out of a total of 15 Legislators statewide who were signatories to a letter encouraging Congress to pass an amnesty bill, according to the OC Tea Party Blog.
A local blog reported that one of Don Wagner’s staff members sought “to remove citizens who were seeking to peacefully stand in front of the city building and distribute copies of the letter that Assemblyman Wagner signed calling for the CA Congressional Republican Delegation to vote for comprehensive immigration reform with a pathway to citizenship. Police were called but officers informed the Assemblyman’s staff that the citizens could pass out the letters.”
Wagner also stepped in it when he unwisely decided to back Anaheim Council Member Lucille Kring for Mayor this year even though the OC GOP endorsed the incumbent, Mayor Tom Tait. Kring got blow out in the November General Election. Does Wagner’s support for Kring mean he is all in with the Curt Pringle cabal?
Wagner also voted to reject a campaign disclosure bill that would have required top donors to be identified in television, radio and print advertisements, according to Dissent the Blog. They also reported that Wagner is a “Tool of Corporate America.”
Cities in the 37th State Senate District include: Huntington Beach, Costa Mesa, Newport Beach, Irvine, Tustin, Orange, Anaheim Hills, Villa Park, Lake Forest, Foothill Ranch, Laguna Beach and Laguna Woods.
It is likely that a Democrat will jump into this race as Wagner and Moorlach figure to split the Republican vote. Half the voters in the district are Republicans. Democrats that could run for the 37th include Irvine Councilman Larry Agran, who just lost his reelection campaign in November; Huntington Beach Councilman Joe Shaw, who just lost his reelection campaign in November; Anaheim Councilman Jordan Brandman (if he lives in Anaheim Hills); former Anaheim Councilwoman Lorri Galloway (who just lost in the Anaheim Mayor’s race in November); Tustin Councilwoman Rebecca Gomez (who was reelected in November); Costa Mesa Councilwoman Katrina Foley (who was elected in the November election) and Laguna Beach Councilwoman Toni Iseman (who was reelected in the November election).
Here is the email that Moorlach sent to his supporters announcing his campaign for the 37th State Senate District:
Everyone I happen to bump into these days asks, “What are you doing next?” As of last Thursday, I would say something like, “I don’t know—I have alternatives—but I really haven’t settled on anything yet.”
As for continuing a political career, twenty years of public service seemed like more than enough of a contribution to the incredible County of Orange. I have also received a number of requests to assist on matters that are right up my analytical alley. But, a brief sabbatical seemed like the best decision at this time in my life.
In winding down my role of County Supervisor, something marvelous and profound has been happening. Not only do I get the “what are you doing next” question, I usually hear three other comments that seem to be repeated by almost everyone that engages me.
They are very thankful for my public service and for the job I’ve done for the residents of Orange County.
They lament that I’m subject to term limits and that I have to leave.
They want me to stay in elected office and continue my service to the community in some capacity.It’s all been kind, good and sincere. The first few conversations were embarrassing and humbling. But, after the umpteenth time, you start to wonder if there is a message that I should be cluing into.
Last week, County Supervisors from around the state of California shared the same thoughts with my wife, Trina. “He’s been a statewide leader in our Association and you need to keep him involved at some level.”
By last Friday morning, my wife and I agreed to the idea of postponing my sabbatical. The decision to run for the now open 37th Senate District seat, in which I reside, is before us (see map from the OC Register below).
In the last week I have been making calls when possible, as there were OCTA and Board of Supervisors meetings and the Thanksgiving holidays. These calls have been extremely positive and I’m putting a campaign team together for the sprint that is called a special election.
Before I officially announce, I wanted you to know first. There is only one other announced candidate at this time. In fact, we did lunch a month ago and he is aware that I’ve been mulling this decision over. I still need to connect with him to let him know that I am even more strongly leaning in running for this seat.
There are only two more Board of Supervisors meetings in December, so the time constraints that hampered an aggressive Congressional campaign earlier this year will be alleviated (see MOORLACH CAMPAIGN UPDATE — It’s About Time — March 10, 2014). And, by January 5th, my last day in office, I will be completely unencumbered from a 24/7 position and can devote full-time to the campaign.
Tomorrow’s OC Register may have a mention of my consideration of this seat in “The Buzz” column by Martin Wisckol. I did not want the news to surprise you. I thought it best that you heard it directly from me.
If you have any feedback that I should consider, please do not hesitate to respond to this e-mail. This is the time to provide me with your wisdom. After all, it was genuine unsolicited e-mails and personal conversations that have caused me to move forward.
If you’re happy to endorse or support me, that would be great news. With your permission, I may even include your name in my official announcement, which I hope to release sometime this week.
I believe that I will be able to shake things up in Sacramento. I’ve done personal research of the nation’s fifty states’ financial statements. California is in 46th place when it comes to fiscal viability. We have Massachusetts, New Jersey, Illinois, and Connecticut to thank for California not being in last place.
California’s Legislature needs an experienced accountant, both from the private and public sectors, to address the myriad of fiscal woes that ail this state. I have been involved in municipal fiscal issues for two decades. I am willing to tell it like it is and provide solutions. I am someone who has affected change in pension and retiree medical plans that have lowered costs to the County’s taxpayers.
I believe the voters of the 37th Senate District will agree. They know that for twenty years I have told them the truth and that I have pursued a fiscal agenda to protect them—from my campaign for County Treasurer in 1994 to today.
Should I receive the privilege of going to the State Senate; the residents of Orange County will know “what I am doing next.” I will assist, with every fiber in my body, in a fiscal turnaround of our state.
Thank you for allowing my wife and I to serve you as a County Treasurer-Tax Collector for nearly twelve years. Thank you for allowing us to serve in the position of a County Supervisor for eight years; where I had a ball achieving numerous significant accomplishments. Thank you for being a friend and for being on my e-mail tree.
After I make a formal announcement, I hope to engage you in some form or fashion in achieving a successful result next spring. Together, let’s shake it up, again.
John M. W. Moorlach