We’re in for it now. If you haven’t been keeping up with the cutthroat politics of Orange County, the latest folks to announce candidacy for office are former OC Board of Supervisor and fortuneteller extraordinaire, John Moorlach and conservative-but-approachable-by-Democrats, 68th District Assemblyman Don Wagner. They are, of course, vying for Mimi Walters’ seat. Walters has since left for the bright lights of Washington.

Wagner has served in the Assembly since 2010 and sits on several key committees, including the Public Employees, Retirement and Social Security, Revenue and Taxation and Judiciary where he serves as Vice-Chair. And, although Wagner did not receive the endorsement of the OC Republican Party, his rating on the California Republican Assembly is 94% and he received the 2014 endorsement.

Moorlach, on the other hand, has been hashing through Orange County in his typical systematic fashion. In fact, Moorlach’s campaign slogan says it all: “Focused and Understandable”. With Moorlach, though, it ought to be “Focused and Boring”, as that is what it is like to listen to him plod on about any issue he may be talking about.

John Moorlach

Moorlach, who at one time stated that he had no intention of making a career of politics, spent most of the last year exploring runs for Lt. Governor, Congress and a few local offices before settling on the Senate for his next career move. And, now that he has settled on our district, he is wasting no time seeking and obtaining coveted endorsements.

While the CRA gave a high rating to Don Wagner, it was Moorlach who got the local CRA Unit’s endorsement. I’m not sure what that amounts to in votes, considering the whole Orly Taitz-Deborah Pauly (I’m still banned from her Twitter account) Orange County bunch. So, is the CRA local unit endorsement worth much? And what other endorsements does Moorlach have besides his old bedfellow, Shawn Nelson? We really don’t know because, Moorlach’s campaign website doesn’t list his endorsements.

On the other hand, Wagner proudly shows off his list. And, while it may not contain anyone on the Lincoln Club list of who’s-who, it is certainly impressive (if you’re impressed by that sort of thing). The list does include both Tony Rackauckas and Sheriff Sandra Hutchens. It’s interesting that the two other chief (and public safety) elected officials in the county both nixed the pedantic Moorlach for Wagner. Looking back on Moorlach’s eight years in office, it’s easy to see why.

Don Wagner

Along with those high power endorsements comes a slew of local elected officials from around the county including 37 local officials and 27 state elected officials, many from local districts. Both U.S. Representatives Ed Royce and Mimi Walters, whose senate seat these two are vying for, have endorsed Wagner.

Along the popular lines (face it, even endorsers only get one vote), Wagner wins hands down. Moorlach’s Facebook page shows a whole 621 likes. Wagner has a handy 2400 likes. Some of those who like him include TUSD Board Member, Jonathan Abelove and FCA procurator Richard Nelson. I’ll give them both points for keeping their Facebook pages current.

Likewise on Twitter. Both candidates are maintaining a presence but Wagner outguns Moorlach with over 1658 followers. Wagner also has twice the number of tweets and followers as Moorlach. Moorlach’s latest tweets are about his recent podcast on OC Talk Radio. Don’t get all excited, now. OCTR is an internet only show that I reported on previously. Our own Jerry Amante also hosts a show there.

Among other things he talks about is how he single-handedly led Orange County out of the bankruptcy (I kid you not). He also mentions how desirable it is to work in The Real OC – sure, if you are a government official and not a rank-and-file county employee. Yes, his conversation is based in the ethernet and has no basis in reality. But, you can say anything on (internet) radio, right? What he doesn’t mention is his effort to extend his term(s) on the OC Board of Supes with his failed endorsement of Measure N. He also attempted an end run by getting his fellow board members to go along with a similar measure. Not even his buddy Shawn went along.

Then, there is the Rossmoor debacle….

What it really comes down to is, who would be the best representative of our interests in the California Senate? Unfortunately, we have no Democrat (unless you count the idiot from Huntington Beach who is running as a write-in candidate), (little l) libertarian, or green party candidates running. It’s been a given, perhaps falsely , that our district is solid Republican. I think that ground is slowly giving way.

And, perhaps that is what Don Wagner sees. He has been accused by the ultra-conservatives of not being “Red” enough. He actually takes a more liberal line on such issues as immigration reform and pensions. And, God knows, he actually took campaign money from a police union in direct violation of the mystical Scott Baugh Manifesto (along with Janet Nguyen, whose “secret” campaign contributions from OCEA are famous).

But, he also has the respect of and influence with many legislators, both Republican and Democrat. He knows how to cross the aisle to get the job done. If you are a Democrat or even a liberal thinking Republican, doesn’t it make sense to work with the other side rather than toe the line just because?

With Moorlach, who has an ethics problem when it comes to his own pension, you don’t get any of this. No experience, not even popularity. He couldn’t make up his mind what he wanted to run for until he found something he could afford (because he knew he’d have trouble raising campaign funds). He refused to give up his pension while making county employees out to be union thugs for not giving up theirs. He falsely claims to have repaired the bankruptcy when, in reality, he did nothing more than foretell what many already knew – and what many argue would not have occurred if the county had waited a few more days (we’ll never know, will we?).

Clearly, Moorlach’s methodical approach appeals to the rich and powerful in the county. He has spent his entire career schmoozing with the elite. He has blocked the formation of ethics commissions. He has wasted millions of dollars in ridiculous IT contract escalations with no viable results, all in the name of “public-private” partnerships that haven’t worked.

The choice between a career, professional politician with an eye toward progress and that of a pedantic, condescending and unethical dilettante is obvious. The special election for the California State Senate District 37 will be held March 17, 2015. Sample ballots have been mailed and absentee ballots (oh, when will they combine them?) should be out soon.

This will be another special, low-turnout election that will be decided on by the absentees. With three Republicans and a write-in candidate, it is quite likely no one will receive the requisite 51 percent and we will be subjected to a subsequent election in May. Do your part to see that doesn’t happen by voting for Don Wagner.