OC Politics Blog | Tag Archives: John Moorlach

Former O.C. Supervisor Moorlach qualifies to run for the BOS again

Posted on January 14, 2021 by Editor Posted in 2021 Elections, Orange County Leave a comment

Costa Mesa, California – Yesterday, former Orange County Supervisor John Moorlach qualified to run for the Board of Supervisors from the county’s Second District. As of today Moorlach is the only candidate to qualify for the ballot.

“Orange County is our home,” Moorlach said. “The COVID-19 virus has hit us hard. The next supervisor from the Second District must be ready on day one.”

Campaign donors have rallied to Moorlach’s side. Disclosure Statements filed with the Fair Political Practices Commission show that Moorlach raised nearly $173,000 in December – more than his opponents who have been in the race for nearly a year.

Former Supervisor Moorlach is one of the most trusted officeholders in Orange County. Moorlach served with distinction as County Treasurer for eleven years and guided the county through bankruptcy to emerge financially sound. Moorlach went on to serve eight years as County Supervisor and helped build some of the best County healthcare services in the State of California.

“The Orange County Republican Party, the Lincoln Club of Orange County, and the New Majority have endorsed former Supervisor John Moorlach,” current Orange County Republican Chairman Fred Whitaker said. “He’s won three races in that district and he’s the overwhelming favorite to return to the board.”

The special election for the Second Supervisorial District is set for March 9, 2021. The seat on the Orange County Board of Supervisors opened when former Supervisor Michelle Steele won election to the United States Congress.

Moorlach announces his campaign for the O.C. Board of Supervisors

Posted on November 27, 2020 by Editor Posted in 2021 Elections, John Moorlach, Orange County Leave a comment

Senator John M. W. Moorlach announced that he is running for the soon-to-be-open Orange County Board of Supervisors Second District, currently held by Congresswoman-elect Michelle Steel. Moorlach has already gained the early endorsements of New Majority, the Orange County Lincoln Club, and Family Action PAC.

“These are turbulent times, and Orange County must take steps to prepare for what could be a very difficult financial picture in 2021,” said Senator Moorlach. “I’ve helped our county maneuver to withstand several past financial storms, and I’m looking forward to rejoining the Board of Supervisors to help protect our county and promote a high quality of life for Orange County families.”

In the November Senate election, Moorlach won 57 percent of the votes coming from the overlapping Supervisor District 2, despite the $3 million of negative attack ads against him.

In a statement announcing their support, Family Action PAC President Kim Bengard said “Moorlach is a man of faith, principle and courage — exactly the kind of person we need right now on the Board of Supervisors.” Lincoln Club President John Warner added: “John Moorlach has a track record of accomplishments for Orange County families few others can hold a candle to. He is the clear choice for the Supervisor’s seat.”

Moorlach represented District 2 for eight years and prior to that served as the Orange County Treasurer-Tax Collector for 12 years. Moorlach is widely known as a financial expert who helped Orange County exit bankruptcy 25 years ago, then spearheaded a series of adept moves to help the county avoid a fiscal disaster during the Great Recession.

Moorlach has served the past six years in Sacramento as the Legislature’s only member who is a CPA. Targeted by nearly $3 million of negative attacks by big government public employee unions, Moorlach came up just short of winning an additional term in the Senate.

The special election for Orange County’s Second District Supervisorial seat is expected to be held in spring 2021. The special election will not proceed to a runoff. Instead the highest vote-getter is awarded the seat.

John Moorlach confirms he is running for the O.C. Board of Supervisors

Posted on November 19, 2020 by Editor Posted in 2020 Elections, 2021 Elections Leave a comment

By John Moorlach

The state is enduring a very unique time in its history. It is taking a much different approach to a pandemic than that of the Spanish Flu a century ago. Locking down the economy is a strategy that has created immense financial stress for many Californians. And I get to feel it firsthand. My first call today was yet another request for assistance with the Employment Development Department (see MOORLACH UPDATE — EDD and Misdiagnosis — September 24, 2020).

It’s not only constituents who are suffering; municipalities are as well.
The County of Orange is no exception. Performing the necessary services for the state and Federal governments through its Social Services Agency, Health Care Agency and other departments has been a financial strain.

This is another inflection point for Orange County and I’ve been through a couple of them. In particular, addressing a nearly $1.7 billion investment loss and the effort involved in exiting from the resulting Chapter 9 bankruptcy filing from 1994 and serving as Chair of the Board of Supervisors in 2008, during the height of the Great Recession.

The bankruptcy debt has been paid off. The County is in better financial shape than most counties, post the liquidity crisis, based on decisions I made during that most difficult era.

With the County facing up to a $300 million structural deficit, the residents may want someone who has a thorough understanding of how this level of government operates.

For a review on the County’s projected financial status, see the Voice of OC’s “Orange County Grapples With ‘Devastating’ $458 Million Revenue Drop Projection” (https://voiceofoc.org/2020/05/orange-county-grapples-with-devastating-458-million-revenue-drop-projection/).

This piece quotes County managers that reported to me when I previously served as a County Supervisor, like Michelle Aguirre, the County’s Chief Financial Officer and Frank Kim, the County’s CEO.

I was very active with the California State Association of Counties and served a term as Chair of the Urban County Caucus. And I now have six years of Sacramento experience under my belt to assist the County. This gives me a large network to draw from in pursuing solutions.

Maybe that’s why I’m receiving so many calls and emails to run for this position? I don’t need to pursue another elected position. But, I’m happy to jump in and serve when encouraged to do so by those who are key observers of what is currently happening to our County. That’s why I have pivoted in this direction.

The residents of Orange County need an experienced hand at this time in history. They need someone who can hit the ground running, who can interface with department heads and various agencies immediately, and who has worked in a professional, open-door manner with the bargaining units.

This is why I’m stepping up to pursue my former position to assist the County that I have invested about a third of my life in for the remaining two years of Supervisor Steel’s term. Stu News Newport provides the opening steps of my efforts. It’s been a very busy two weeks. But, I’m definitely in.

The campaign officially starts when Supervisor Steel resigns from the position and is sworn in to the United States Congress. An election date should be announced shortly thereafter, and a filing period will open. I just wanted to provide the background for recent events and why I have made the decision to run. And, to thank so many of you that have connected to encourage me to continue serving the county we cherish and love.

The Family Action PAC endorses John Moorlach for O.C. Supervisor

Posted on November 17, 2020 by Editor Posted in Orange County Leave a comment

Today the Family Action PAC announced that its Board of Directors unanimously voted to endorse State Senator John Moorlach in his bid for Orange County Supervisor.

“John Moorlach has proven time and time again that he is a true conservative,” said Family Action PAC President Kim Bengard. “Moorlach is a man of faith, principle and courage — exactly the kind of person we need right now on the Board of Supervisors.”

There will be a special election for Supervisor in the 2nd District (West Orange County) due to the election of current Supervisor Michelle Steel to Congress.

Because of the rules that govern special elections, there is no run-off, so the top vote-getter in the special election will serve out the remaining two years of Supervisor Steel’s term.

“If too many conservatives are running in this special election, it is very possible, if not probable, that the top vote-getter, and next supervisor will be a liberal,” said Bengard. “Right now, we urge all conservatives to unify behind Moorlach’s candidacy to ensure that we keep this seat in conservative hands.“

About Family Action PAC: The mission of the Family Action PAC is to recruit and elect qualified leaders who will advance a culture in which human life and family are valued, personal responsibility is encouraged, and liberty thrives. www.familyactionpac.org

Moorlach concedes the 37th Senate District Race

Posted on November 14, 2020 by Editor Posted in 2020 Elections 1 Comment

COSTA MESA, CA — Senator John M. W. Moorlach, R-Costa Mesa, issued the following concession statement regarding his re-election bid to the 37th Senate District:

Congratulations to David Min for his election to the California Senate. It has been a deep honor and privilege to serve the people of the 37th Senate District. I hope Min makes it his priority, as I did, to take the greatest care of those he will now serve.

With that, I will assist in the transition and make staff available in transferring constituent cases that are still in progress, in particular those who are trying to negotiate with the Employment Development Department for their entitled benefits.

I will continue to be involved in my Senate committee responsibilities until my term officially concludes and hope to say my final farewells to those colleagues who are present in the Capitol when I am present for the remaining committee hearings of the Session.

I want to express my heartfelt thanks to all who supported my re-election efforts and voted for me. I especially want to thank my staff for a job well done.

The notes and calls I have received from many constituents since Election Day have been so special and I deeply appreciate the wonderful friends I have made during my career in public life.

In closing, I am honored to have served Orange County these past 26 years in various capacities and I look forward to being of further service in the months and years ahead.

CA Senate Democrats kill Moorlach proposal to increase access to medical care providers

Posted on May 19, 2020 by Editor Posted in California, Democratic Party, Healthcare, John Moorlach, Orange County, State Senate 2 Comments

SACRAMENTO – The Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee today killed Senate Bills 1053 and 1054, legislation authored by Senator John M. W. Moorlach, R-Costa Mesa, which would have increased access to medical care providers by allowing for multi-state licensing for nurses and physical therapists.

The two measures would have joined California into the Nurse and Physical Therapy Licensure Compacts. “I am deeply disappointed with this decision as five Democrats lack the vision to improve healthcare for Californians in need. SB 1053 would have been a huge step forward in preparing for future surges in COVID-19 and other potential emergencies,” said Moorlach. “In addition, SB 1053 and SB 1054 would have greatly eased barriers for military spouses, increased access to tele-health in underserved communities, and reduced costs in our healthcare system. I am committed to continuing this fight for mobility and flexibility in California’s healthcare system.”

Moorlach’s legislation garnered the support of a broad and diverse coalition of stakeholders, including the California Hospital Association, the California Physical Therapists Association, the California Association of Health Facilities, the United States Department of Defense, the AARP, and the California Telehealth Network. The full support list is available below. SB 1054 (Physical Therapy) did not receive any formal opposition and SB 1053 (Nursing) only received formal opposition from the California Nurses Association. Nonetheless, five Democrats on the committee voted to oppose both measures.

“I am very appreciative of my Democratic colleagues, Senator Cathleen Galgiani and Senator Bill Dodd, who put patients before union pressure and supported these proposals,” Moorlach said.

For more information on SB 1053 and SB 1054, visit https://moorlach.cssrc.us/legislation.

State Senator John M. W. Moorlach represents the 37th district of California which encompasses Costa Mesa, Irvine, Lake Forest, Laguna Beach, Laguna Woods, Newport Beach, Tustin, Villa Park, and portions of Anaheim, Huntington Beach, and Orange. Senator Moorlach is a trained Certified Financial Planner and the only trained CPA in the California Senate.