Congressman John Campbell’s retirement is not the only vacant seat up for grabs in 2014. Orange County Assemblywoman Diane Harkey is being termed out of her 73rd District seat next year, and the battle to replace her is shaping up to be another battle royale with no clear favorites. Five Orange County Republicans have already declared their intentions to run for Harkey’s vacated seat, including:
- Steve Baric, Rancho Santa Margarita Councilman
- Bill Brough, Dana Point Councilman
- Anna Bryson, Capistrano Unified School District Trustee
- Paul Glaab, Mayor of Laguna Niguel
- Jesse Petrilla, Rancho Santa Margarita Councilman
Each has valuable connections and endorsements. Baric has lined up the most high profile endorsements thus far, including Sheriff Sandra Hutchens, District Attorney Tony Rackauckas and the Orange County Business Council. Glaab claims the support of Shawn Nelson, chairman of the Board of Supervisors and Mission Viejo Councilman Frank Ury. Brough is a former Chief of Staff for Harkey and Bryson has the support of former County Supervisor and California Secretary of Education Marian Bergeson. Petrilla is an Army reserve officer and a veteran of the Afghan war, and has the endorsement of State Senator Joel Anderson.
The 73rd Assembly District includes most of South Orange County, including Aliso Viejo, Dana Point, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Mission Viejo, San Juan Capistrano, Rancho Santa Margarita, San Clemente and Ladera Ranch. The 73rd District is heavily Republican. In the 2012 general election, Harkey outpolled her Democratic opponent by more than 50,000 votes to win reelection. District registration is ~49% Republican and only ~26% Democrat, meaning that the GOP primary battle is the election for the 73rd Assembly seat.
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