Tonight’s OC GOP Central Committee meeting was an abbreviated affair as many members were away due to the impending Thanksgiving holiday. However, we had a quorum and sure enough we ended up with a vote to see whom the party would endorse for Southern Regional Vice Chair, of the CRP (California Republican Party).
Warene Wall, the current Vice Chair South, is from San Diego. She was at our meeting tonight, and after winning the coin flip she took the podium and introduced herself. However, she was quite glum, and somewhat unhappy because she did not think that the OC party was going to endorse a candidate. That of course only proves that she does not know us very well.
Jon Fleischman, Wall’s opponent, got up next and said something to the effect of “you all know who I am.” He had previously passed out slick four-color brochures explaining why he was the man, and it was not even worth it to try to oppose him. The motion was made to endorse him, and only seven Central Committee members voted against the motion. After seeing Wall in “action,” even I voted to endorse Fleischman.
I approached Fleischman after the meeting and he had already returned to form. He made a snippy comment about his blog not being referenced on mine. I had no idea. I told him I would correct the oversight, but by then he had moved on to someone else. I’ll say this for Fleischman – no one excels at dismissing someone the way he does. Good luck Jon – I am sure you will win the position at the February CRP convention, but I will be watching to make sure you actually do something useful in the role.
The other big news tonight was that Van Tran confidante Trung Nguyen (pictured above, third from left) is apparently going to run for Lou Correa’s seat on the Board of Supervisors. Nguyen is a member of the Garden Grove School Board. He is a lawyer and an engineer and he currently works in the aerospace industry.
Tran has already been quoted as saying about Nguyen, “The latest close race in the 34th Senate District clearly shows that Trung is the only viable candidate for the seat at this time.” That is of course a crazy comment. The other Nguyen in the race, Garden Grove Councilwoman Janet Nguyen, already has years of experience in politics, having previously worked for both a supervisor and a legislator. And she has over $200K in her campaign account. Also, Trung backed Tan Nguyen this year (pictured above, second from the right). That won’t help him with Latino voters.
However, Trung is very clearly an attempt by Tran to scuttle Janet’s campaign. Apparently there are many Vietnamese activists who are upset with Janet because she did not support a controversial Buddhist temple in Garden Grove, but that temple got into trouble for renting space to a chiropractor who was later busted for operating a massage parlor with women of questionable merit. I can’t blame Janet for voting against that.
My sources tell me that Tran ally Andy Quach was paid a princely sum of money by the temple in question to get it approved and that Trung’s campaign is all about payback against Janet for scuttling their plans. Seems like a ridiculous reason for Trung to run for the Board of Supervisors, if you ask me.
I am also hearing that Tim Whitacre is running around asking or telling people to support Santa Ana Councilman Carlos Bustamante for the Correa seat. That is quite strange as Whitacre spent much of this year badmouthing Bustamante. They must have cut some kid of back room deal in the interim. I cannot see how Bustamante is viable. He has no fan base in Santa Ana to speak of.
The only question I have is when will a Latino candidate emerge from the OC Democrat ranks? There is no way that the Latino Democrat community is going to let Garden Grove Councilman Mark Rosen be their only champion. Nor will they get behind Bustamante. Someone else will emerge in time.
As for Trung, he seems committed to his campaign, but he might face some odd questions going forward. Some Republicans are already saying that he will be the next Otto Bade, by splitting the vote and handing the Correa seat to a Democrat. Hardly the kind of legacy I think Trung is aiming for…
Trung is a better candidate than Janet. He also has more support. If anyone is a spoiler, it would be Janet. The only thing potentially spoiled here is Janet’s ruthless ambition.
give us a break. trung otto bade nguyen spoiler has ran for every election since 2004 and has lost them all since. i’m sure we’ll see him in many more elections to come.
You done did it now, Art.
As spokeperson for the Janet Nguyen campaign, you need to stop insinuating disgusting and corrupt misinformation as means to justify councilwomen Janet Nguyen previous actions.
It is blatantly disgusting that you suggest that the members of Buddist temple knew that the chiropractice office was a prostitution front?
“I can’t blame Janet for voting against that.”
Then you attempt to place a black cloud over the Buddist community by implying that we are involved in bribing elected officials.
“My sources tell me that Tran ally Andy Quach was paid a princely sum of money by the temple in question to get it approved and that Trung’s campaign is all about payback against Janet for scuttling their plans.”
Art, I expect an immediate apology from you.
Mrs. Nguyen, also needs to denounce your disgusting and corrupt implications.It is obvious that Janet has recruited Art P. and this blog to campaign on her behalf.
rosen is clearly very closed to team tran – rosen appealed the temple issue twice as a favor to van tran and trung nguyen.
it is good to know who is the master mind behind losing this election for the republicans before it started.
Way to go van tran and thank you for putting a democrat into office the one last shot we had to winning back central county.
Go trung
what support..lan nguyen, van tran, andy quach, dina nguyen..wow the whole Team Tran support. the same team that supported tan nguyen for congress
Come on Art
“Also, Trung backed Van Tran this year (pictured above, second from the right). That won’t help him with Latino voters.”
Second from the right is Tan Nguyen.
The honorable Republican Assemblyman Van Tran is third from the right.
Let’s stop intentionally pissing off people, it’s not like your are green to politics.
“Also, Trung backed Van Tran this year (pictured above, second from the right). That won’t help him with Latino voters.”
Van Tran will help Trung with Latino voters.
Isn’t Van Tran third from the right? The guy second from the right is Tan Nguyen.
Some of you may not support Janet running for BOS but don’t speak badly of her character. She’s a kind person and has accomplished a lot. The negative things being said now just sound silly if you know Janet, and soon all of you in the district will get to know her very well.
Poster 4,
I don’t think the entire Vietnamese community is involved in what you referred to as bribing, but my sources, most of whom are Democrats by the way, tell me that it is a common practice for businesspeople to pay certain Vietnamese politicians to help them open or modify their businesses. In the case of the temple that seems to have backfired.
There are other issues as well that are pertinent relative to the temple, and you know that.
Also, what exactly am I supposed to apologize for and how does one apologize to an anon poster?
Finally, I have not been recruited by anyone. I blog what I please – and I tend to question everything and everyone. I am backing Janet, that is true, as she is a known quantity to me. I am yet awaiting her campaign platform however and if I don’t like it I will say so, loudly.
Understand that we Latinos have also been preyed upon by our own, so the issues in your community are very familiar to me. Ever heard of Nativo Lopez?
Just wait until Trung is leading this race……Flip-flopper Art will be his biggest fan.
Poster 11,
I do not have a history of flip flopping as you put it. Although as a member of the OC GOP Central Committee I did back all of our candidates in the general, as that is what we are supposed to do.
It would be interesting to see how all this plays out. I will cover it accordingly. I admire Trung for doing so well after suffering so much upon fleeing the country of his birth. However, I question the underlying reason for his campaign. Is he running because he has something of value to bring to the district, or just to scuttle Janet’s bid? Too early to tell.
Moreover, I think Janet will strive to represent all of us, regardless of our cultures. Will Trung? The district in question is a diverse one. We need representation for all, not just a select few.
I’ll say this for Fleischman – no one excels at dismissing someone the way he does.
Art. Fleischman can only excel at dismissing someone when the receiver of that attitude (you) allows it.
It is very easy to turn that attitude around. And even quite easily learned.
Art…in your #12 post,you say that you backed all of our (republican) candidates in the general, as that is what we are supposed to do.
Who are “we”? And, what has happened to supporting/voting for the best candidate, whether a republican, democrat, indepentend, or whatever?
Jon looks like he’s about to do something funny on his bed while staring at his laptop…
“what has happened to supporting/voting for the best candidate”
Feel free to support/vote for whomever you feel is the best candidate.
However,if that candidate does not live in the area she is supposed to represent and skips out of Q & A with the candidates to go cheerleading and then after losing promptly splits town, is she really the best candidate?
#14 … take a deep breath and re-read Art’s post. Art is speaking as an elected member of the OC GOP Committee. I don’t believe it’s the mission of any political party to cross endorse. Do you really believe John Dean would publicly endorse Mitt Romney? Arnold Schwarzenegger?
C’mon.
Anon 12:01, why don’t you come out and say who you are referring to? The beast won, so get over it!
As one of three members of the Orange Juice blogpen to attend the OC Central Committee meeting I can confirm the report as posted by Art.
Chairman Baugh did acknowledge that a quorum was present and was careful to make sure that 2/3rds of the voting members did in fact cast ballots in favor of Jon.
Not only was there a voice vote but an actual head count followed.
Having served under Jon as a CRA Unit President when he was President of the California Republican Assembly I would agree that he is the best qualified candidate for the Vice Chairman South post in the CA Republican Party. It will take a strong effort to re-energize the Republican voters in CA after this latest election.
Jon is well known in Republican circles around the state and has the skills and talent to pull if off.
Larry Gilbert
Assemblyman Tom Umberg–still has those meaty bones in the closet
Assemblyman Van Tran–supporting Troung Nguyen
SA Councilman Carlos Bustamante–a little new to the politico game but has some influential friends. Art P. says he has the dirt on this guy but if he’s the lone Hispanic he takes the Hispanic vote for sure.
SA Councilwoman Claudia Alavarez–credentials are very impressive but during the Assembly election came across as a fiery agressive Latina. With a competent campaign she could win this seat.
SA Councilwoman Lisa Bist–forced out by term limits but unless she can pull 50 grand out of her back pocket she will just ride off in the sunset.
Former SA Councilman Brett Franklin, came in forth place the last go around. He’s not an elected official so it will be hard as hell to raise money.
Former SA Councilman Tom Lutz, He’s not an elected official so it will be hard as hell to raise money.
SA Mayor Miguel Pulido, maybe if the council passed retroactive term limits for the Mayor. He living it large as SA Mayor this is a demotion to him.
Garden Grove City Councilman Mark Rosen, If candidate Bruce Broadwater couldn’t do it candidate Mark Rosen can’t do it in his dreams.
GG Councilwoman Janet Nguyen, she has pissed off alot of people in the Vietnamese community, including the Buddist community. Her once mentor(Assemb.Van Tran), is fielding his own candidate. We will again learn what Supervisor-elect Bates knows—a candidate with alot of money benefits consultants more than the wealthy candidate.
GG Councilman-elect Bruce Broadwater, he was not even the top vote-getter in the GG council race. He can raise money, but he doesn’t have the votes with a Rosen candidacy.
GG Councilman Mark Leyes, another forced out council person by term limits.Unless he can pull 50 grand out of her back pocket he will just ride off in the sunset. Word on the street is that he’s not into knocking on doors and he recently went on a tax-payer funded junket to Atlanta to hear some guy talk about possibly puting a Giant Roller Coaster at Fairview and 5th street in Santa Ana.
GG Mayor Bill Dalton, a Republican with great credentials and he’s the sitting mayor.With a competent campaign he could win this seat.
Westminster Councilman Andy Quach, forget about it…with two Nguyens in this race andy will be garning those votes resing in Westminister
Westminster Mayor Margie Rice, today she is a democrat tomorrow she is a republican. A few years ago she supported supervisor-candidate Chuck Smith then she supported supervisor-candidate Lou Correa. Given the size of Westminster portion in the 1st district I really can’t see her pulling this one out.
Former Westminster Councilwoman Joy Neugebauer, She’s not an elected official so it will be hard as hell to raise money.
Garden Grove School Board Trustee Trung Nguyen,
will not win given Janet Nguyen will be the 2nd top vote getter of Vietnamese votes. While he has Van Tran’s endorsement there is just not enough Vietnamese voters in the district.
GG Trustee Lan Nguyen, two Nguyens with better name Id.
GG Trustee KimOanh Nguyen-Lam, making this a three way race for the Vietnamese vote is not the objective.
Santa Ana School Board Trustee Rosie Avila, this is another nonpartisan race. History has shown that Rosie does well in these types of races.
Westminster School District Trustee Sergio Contreras, H may not live in the district and he needs a few more years under his belt.
Westminster School District Trustee Jo-Ann Purcell, the only one from Westminster that has a shot(if any) is Margie.
Rancho Santiago Community College Trustee Brian Conley, Steve Rocco can probably get more votes then Brian.
Umberg Chief of Staff George Urch, a behind the scenes guy running for office. It will be guilt by association, ” I worked for the guy who lived in Villa Park, cheated on his loving wife, and lied about about his military record”
Former Correa Chief of Staff Chris Leo, No name ID, No elected position, no money…no chance.
Former Sanchez staffer Armando de Libertad,
he evidently not scared of losing odds but the most he can hope for is to be the sole Latino democrat.
The following candidates with their Special election vote totals
Community activist Zeke “otto” Hernandez, 1,401
Community activist Benny Diaz, 759
Blogger/activist Art Pedroza, 183
Community activist Long Pham, b 184
Businessman/activist Ken Nguyen. 375
Poster #20 you wasted a lot of time and money handicapping the Supervisor race. I hope you have a real job because your analysis is all wrong.
Anon Poster#21
So where in poster #20 analysis are the errors. From my objective point, it looks pretty accurate.
So who did Janet support for congress? Loretta Sanchez?
I don’t think Janet supported anyone in the congressional seat.
She’s the best the GOP has running for the BOS. Everyone else is an empty suit.
Is Art Pedroza Janet’s new communications director?
Art, my sincerest apology. I really didn’t mean to be dismissive. Really. You had mentioned to me that you would be happy to put a link up to my campaign website when I have one, which I appreciated. Then I mentioned that it would be great if you would link to the FlashReport on your site.
I then scooted along because my opponent, Warene, was calling me over to her.
I truly appreciated your signing my endorsement card last month, and you vote for my endorsement this month.
Oh yes, Larry, thanks for the kind words.
Jon
P.S. I don’t come by this site too often, as I was used to being regularly banged on for my association with our awesome Sheriff Mike Carona. But someone told me about your post, and I just wanted to apologize if I left our chat too hastily.
Jon,
Thank you for clearing the air. You no longer work for Carona – and to be honest I am ready to start talking to him about outsourcing the Santa Ana Police to the county. I think we can let bygones be bygones and work together to restore our party. I look forward to doing so.
Your site is now included in our links. I still don’t recall how it came to be excluded, as that is not our way here at the Orange Juice. I am always happy to add new blog links and also links to political campaigns.
Have a Happy Thanksgiving!
Oh, thank you Jon for gracing this blog with your presence. LOL! The fact that you don’t come by this site too often only makes the rest of us read it even more.