Brandman builds a bipartisan campaign in Anaheim

I finally had a chance to meet Jordan Brandman, a young but experienced candidate for the Anaheim Union High School District, last night at the Liberally Drinking event in Santa Ana.

Brandman was there because he had earlier attend the OC Young Democrats meeting, over at Original Mike’s. He was endorsed by that organization, and he headed over to the Memphis Restaurant afterwards, where the rest of us were talking politics.

Quite frankly, Brandman looked like a Young Republican. Brandman had on a long sleeve dress shirt and a tie, and he was easily the tallest guy in the room. I pointed him out to Ryan Williams, the GOP candidate for the 69th Assembly District. “I don’t know who that guy is,” I said, “but he sure looks like a candidate.”

Well, I know a lot more about Brandman now. I tried to find a picture of him to post with this article, however there is not one on his website nor could I find one online. He is tall and lanky and very good natured. He confided that he was all set to start a career as a history teacher when none other than Anaheim Mayor Curt Pringle intervened. Pringle had been his political science teacher at UCI, and at his behest Brandman headed instead to Sacramento, where he he served as a policy advisor in the Governor’s Office of the Secretary for Education, from 2002 to 2004. He then went on to work for former state legislator Tom Umberg, as a Legislative Aide from 2004 to 2006.

Brandman currently is the Director of Workforce Development and Education for the Orange County Business Council (OCBC). He comes from a family of five sons, and you can tell that family is very important to him. His website states that Jordan looks forward to starting a family in Anaheim and having his children attend Anaheim Public Schools.

Brandman’s endorsements are something to see – they include: Umberg; Pringle; Orange County Clerk-Recorder Tom Daly; Marian Bergeson, State Secretary for Education 1996-98; John B. Mockler, State Secretary for Education 2000-01; Kerry Mazzoni, State Secretary for Education 2001-03; Richard J. Riordan, State Secretary for Education 2003-05; Anaheim Mayor Pro Tem Richard Chavez; former OC Supervisor William G. Steiner; former Anaheim Councilmember Irv Pickler; Anaheim Councilmember Lorri Galloway; former Assemblymember Marilyn Brewer; and OC GOP Central Committee Vice Chair Jo Ellen Allen, Ph.D.

Brandman is holding a fundraiser on September 20, from 5:30 to 7:30 pm, at the home of Alden & Linda Esping, at 2112 West Harriet Lane, in Anaheim. You can attend for a donation of $100 to Brandman’s campaign. You can RSVP to Lysa Ray at 714-540-2295 or via email.

Brandman is one of several candidates challenging the incumbents on the Anaheim Union High School Board. The other candidates are Vernon Beckett, Anna Piercy, and Annemarie Randle-Trejo and Harald G. Martin. The incumbents, who are running, include: Thomas “Hoagy ” Holguin, Denise Jane Mansfield-Reinking, and Robert “Rob” Stewart.

Harald Martin, a police officer, has been accused of being a racist. Rob Stewart is a friend of Dave Shawver, the guy who took on John Moorlach in June and got crushed. All of the incumbents are dealing with the fact that they squandered a $50 million school construction bond.

Clearly Brandman and at least a few of his fellow challengers have a pretty good shot at clearing out the dead weight on the AUHSD board. With regard to Brandman, we just might be seeing the beginning of a promising political career.

About Admin

"Admin" is just editors Vern Nelson, Greg Diamond, or Ryan Cantor sharing something that they mostly didn't write themselves, but think you should see. Before December 2010, "Admin" may have been former blog owner Art Pedroza.