Correa in a quandary of his own making

Newly minted State Senator Lou Correa is in a bind of his own making. He said, in so many words, in an interview with the OC Register’s Martin Wisckol that he would not likely back Tom Umberg for his supervisorial seat, as he would prefer to support someone from the district. Besides, Umberg sounded a distinctly anti-Latino tone in his candidate’s statement.

So whom will Correa back?

I would have thought he would go with Mark Rosen – but he melted down at a recent Democrat Central Committee meeting – so he is off the list. What about Carlos Bustamante? I don’t think so. Correa won’t risk angering his party by backing a Republican – even one who has only been in the GOP for two years.

That leaves Correa with only one option – Benny Diaz. Yes, I know Larry “TV Producer” Phan is a Democrat. So what? The man is not viable. Yes, Diaz has never won an election that I am aware of. However, he is the only Democrat Latino in the race. And Diaz has always supported Correa.

A Democrat insider tells me that Diaz even turned on Umberg and backed Correa instead, even though Umberg had backed Diaz in a council race in Garden Grove. Normally that would be bad form – but Correa ought to remember this and pay Diaz back accordingly. But will he?

Correa is likely to sit this one out, according to my source. He is probably right – but that will make Correa appear weak and disinterested. Can he risk starting his career in the State Senate on such a lame note? I think he needs to make a stand – and if he does I hope he does so for his loyalist Diaz. To do otherwise would be quite disappointing and possibly damaging to Correa’s future prospects.