Sources tell TheLiberalOC that former Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez and termed out Mayor Tom Tait are exploring the notion of entering the special election to complete Todd Spitzer’s term on the Board of Supervisors. Third district residents even got some sort of robocall testing Tait’s candidacy. And once source has confirmed “Loretta is in.”
If they both enter, it’s going to be a crowded special election. And it’s a short campaign.
Former Irvine Mayor and council member Beth Krom has declared her intention to run. Former CD-39 candidate Andy Thornburn has already hired a high priced consultant to spend some of his millions on the election. Thornburn has never held office and there’s a competitive research file on him that will make it very difficult for him to get past either Krom or Sanchez. Former Anaheim council member Kris Murray declared for the race months ago and it probably best positioned for a 8-week campaign. Not yet in the race is Republican Assemblyman Steven Choi, who is tired of sitting at the little kids table in Sacramento and is considering a run along with Irvine Mayor Don Wagner who really doesn’t want to be Mayor of Irvine but needs a good ballot designation. Former Villa Park council member Deborah Pauly is also considered a likely candidate on the Republican side.
Sanchez and Tait represent big names entering the race. Sanchez, from Anaheim and a former Santa Ana resident, now resides in Orange. Tait would have to stay in his home in Anaheim rather than move to Laguna Beach, where sources tell us he spends most of his nights anyway. Neither have strong connections to voters in Irvine, Tustin, Yorba Linda, and Orange. The notion that Tait will walk in and charm voters in Irvine is pretty laughable and Democrats in the District won’t cross over to Tait with Krom and Sanchez in the race. Sanchez has a base in Anaheim and Santa Ana, and I believe she’s admired for her congressional work on behalf of Tustin and Irvine but she’s never sought office in these cities. The Third District has more Asian voters than Latino ones.
Choi and Wagner can claim strong connections to cities in the district from their time in the state assembly but both are horrible campaigners and heavily dependent on developer and third party funding from IEs. And they are still tightly tied to the disapproval of President Trump in the district. Krom and Murray can claim connections to almost every city via city council positions they’ve held in the district as well as various committee appointments with other city officials on countywide issues. Where Krom is strong in Irvine, Murray is strong in Anaheim Hills.
Krom spoke Sunday about the race before a packed Democrats of Greater Irvine meeting and is already enlisting foot soldiers for her candidacy. Her work on Brian Forde’s congressional campaign and later, as an advocate for Katie Porter, will make her a formidable candidate for supervisor.
One interesting rumor that has emerged in the past few days is that if Ashleigh Aitken doesn’t garner enough votes to become Anaheim’s next mayor, she’ll toss her hat into the ring to run for Third District supervisor making it four candidates with ties to Anaheim.
For every candidate running, putting together a team to get out the vote for an 8 week campaign will be a challenge.
I wonder if Jesus has told the bubblehead Galloway that he wants her to run. Then she can split the Dem vote and they’ll get a greasy Republican – just like Galloway was used to stick Anaheim with Sidhu instead of Miss Ashleigh.
The Dem vote and Republican vote are already split. Lorri ran a fine campaign. You could argue CynthiaWard took votes from Sidhu.
But you’re a Democrat, right? Now Anaheim gets stuck with greasy Republican Sidhu because Lorri hears the Almighty telling her to advance herself politically.
A fine campaign? By what bizarre standards? She got her rear end kicked. !5%. Even worse than last time.
Hopefully, sayonara to Galloway, now that she’s what, 70 years old? But of course hearing voices in her head means we probably haven’t seen the last of her.
What were there? Seven people running for mayor? Lorri has name recognition from her previous time on the council. She’s not 70. She’s a lot braver than you are
So how come Ms. Name Recognition came in a distant third place?
She’ll be 70 next time there’s something to run for. I wonder if she’ll break into double digits.
Yes, she might well be brave since she has the Lord of Hosts telling her what to do. You know, like run for office, defraud relatives, stiff creditors, wrongly accuse people of sexual assault, etc. It’s all for the greater glory of Jesus, (plus cute shoes) right?
What a gal!
Money. It can buy elections
Right. Brandman. Thanks for the reminder.