Political Landscape: Curry wins backing of Rohrabacher
As the June 3 primary nears, candidates for the 74th Assembly District continue to battle for votes.
U.S. Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Costa Mesa) endorsed Newport Beach City Councilman Keith Curry for the seat, which represents Newport, Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach, Irvine, Laguna Beach and Laguna Woods.
“Keith and I have worked together so many times and so well in the past, and I am sure we will be working together in the future for the betterment of coastal Orange County,” Rohrabacher said in a news release.
Describing Rohrabacher in the release as a “longtime friend and fellow Reagan administration alumni,” Curry added that he looked forward to collaborating with him on increasing jobs and growing the economy.
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Local PAC snubs Curry
Stop the Dock Tax, a political action committee affiliated with the Newport Beach Dock Owners Assn., announced that it won’t endorse Newport Beach Councilman Keith Curry in his run for the Assembly.
Citing Curry’s vote on a dock fee increase and the cost of the new Newport Beach Civic Center, the group said it would donate $2,000 to opponent Emanuel Patrascu.
“Curry’s style of big government is bad enough here in Newport — we can’t afford it in Sacramento,” association Chairman Bob McCaffrey wrote in a news release.
McCaffrey said the group, now called Residents for Reform, will focus on electing four fiscally responsible council members this November. Nancy Gardner, Mike Henn and Leslie Daigle are termed out. Mayor Rush Hill is seeking reelection.
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Newport District 1 Endorsements
Diane Dixon received endorsements from Ralph Rodheim, chairman of the Balboa Village Merchants Assn., and Bernie Svalstad, chairman of the Corona del Mar Business Improvement District, in her bid to replace Mike Henn on the Newport Beach City Council, representing District 1.
Rodheim praised Dixon’s initative and her dedication to businesses and residents, according to a news release.
“I am impressed with her commitment to encourage economic development and her support for small-business entrepreneurs,” he said. “At the same time, Diane really cares about residents and the wider Newport Beach community.”
Dixon’s opponent, Michael Glenn, received an endorsement from U.S. Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Costa Mesa).
“Michael Glenn is my kind of Republican: an activist,” the congressman said. “He will actively oppose unjustified spending, actively oppose new taxes and he will actively support efforts to protect quality of life and property rights of the people of Newport Beach.”
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