Moorlach vs. Wagner: Idealist, pragmatist face off for
state Senate
BY MARTIN WISCKOL / STAFF WRITER
The biggest difference between Don Wagner and John Moorlach,
the top candidates in Tuesday’s special election for state Senate, can’t be
found in the campaign mailers and automated phone calls besieging voters in
recent weeks.
Despite back-and-forth attacks regarding unions, public pensions and immigration, the veteran conservatives have virtually identical positions on those – and most other – issues.
But Moorlach, a former county supervisor and treasurer, and Wagner, an assemblyman, approach their work in the political arena in ways that offer voters a distinct choice.
“Moorlach is more of an idealist,” said Fred Smoller, a Chapman University political scientist. “He doesn’t do the political calculations – he does what he believes. He certainly will be more independent. He goes after big, important issues even if he loses.
“Wagner is a better politician. He networks. He is more pragmatic. He would rather win on less critical issues than fight the good fight with no real accomplishment.”
Wagner, 54, and Moorlach, 59, are joined by two other candidates vying to represent Senate District 37, which reaches from Anaheim Hills to Laguna Beach. The seat was vacated by Republican Mimi Walters after she was elected to Congress in November.
Garnering less attention is first-time candidate Naz Namazi, an Irvine Republican and aide to GOP Rep. Dana Rohrabacher – though Rohrabacher has endorsed Wagner. The sole Democrat running is registered nurse Louise Stew-ardson, a write-in hopeful from Huntington Beach facing Republicans’ daunting 13-point edge in voter registration.
Neither Namazi, 47, nor Stewardson, 60, are expected to be strong challengers. But they could draw enough votes to keep the leading candidates from winning more than 50 percent. Without that majority, the top two finishers advance to a May 19 runoff.
‘Chicken Little’
Moorlach’s independent streak landed him in the public spotlight in 1994, when the accountant and candidate for county treasurer trumpeted his belief that the county was on the brink of bankruptcy. He was ridiculed, called Chicken Little. Then came the bankruptcy, his appointment as treasurer, and a vanity plate for his Impala SS that read “SKYFELL.”
Moorlach went on to serve on the Board of Supervisors from 2006 to 2014, when he stepped down because of term limits. While on the board, he attracted headlines for efforts to roll back public employee union pensions. He was largely unsuccessful, but became a leading champion of the cause.
Those efforts have earned him the enmity of public employee unions in the county and across the state. Those unions have spent more than $100,000 in independent expenditures to defeat him.
Republican Assemblyman Matthew Harper, whose district is nestled within Senate District 37, concurs with Smoller’s assessment of the two candidates, noting Moorlach’s idealism and Wagner’s superior efforts at helping the GOP in local races. Wagner’s district reaches from Anaheim to Mission Viejo.
“Wagner’s also very much a team player up here in Sacramento,” said Harper, who had not decided who he was voting for when interviewed last week.
Wagner’s ability to build bridges with Sacramento Democrats as well as Republicans and his willingness to labor over low-profile issues has resulted in successful bills that don’t get much press but are important to those affected. One such effort by the Irvine attorney helped ease the mandated dissolution of Lake Forest’s redevelopment district. Another helps victims of real estate title scams regain clear possession of their property.
Moorlach, who lives in Costa Mesa, didn’t dispute the characterizations of Harper and Smoller.
“I’m not the one who goes out all the time and schmoozes,” he said. “I’d rather go home and spend time with my family.”
Union taint
Moorlach’s relatively prominent local profile allowed him to start the race as the better known candidate. But Wagner’s ambitious networking and early entry into the contest have helped him gain a huge edge in fundraising and endorsements.
As of the most recent filing period, he’d raised $371,000 to Moorlach’s $118,000 and Namazi’s $11,000. Stewardson did not report raising money. Wagner’s endorsements include the county sheriff and district attorney, three local members of Congress and 23 state legislators.
Of Moorlach’s former colleagues on the Board of Supervisors, three are backing Wagner and one is supporting Moorlach.
Public employee unions’ support of Wagner has left him vulnerable to attacks that he’s a union candidate – a political pejorative in the predominantly GOP district.
But the union spending is more aimed at defeating Moorlach than helping Wagner, who shares Moorlach’s support of a proposed statewide ballot measure that would allow local governments to negotiate reduced pension benefits for unions.
The two also share an advocacy for smaller government and lower taxes, and both oppose the state’s high-speed rail project.
Wagner generally agrees with the characterizations of Smoller and Harper, but he disagrees that he doesn’t tackle big issues. He points to bills seeking tort and regulatory reform he’s sponsored.
“What ends up happening is they die,” he said. “But they help keep the issue alive.”
Harper says he’ll be satisfied with either man in office.
“Both would represent Orange County well,” he said.
Despite back-and-forth attacks regarding unions, public pensions and immigration, the veteran conservatives have virtually identical positions on those – and most other – issues.
But Moorlach, a former county supervisor and treasurer, and Wagner, an assemblyman, approach their work in the political arena in ways that offer voters a distinct choice.
“Moorlach is more of an idealist,” said Fred Smoller, a Chapman University political scientist. “He doesn’t do the political calculations – he does what he believes. He certainly will be more independent. He goes after big, important issues even if he loses.
“Wagner is a better politician. He networks. He is more pragmatic. He would rather win on less critical issues than fight the good fight with no real accomplishment.”
Wagner, 54, and Moorlach, 59, are joined by two other candidates vying to represent Senate District 37, which reaches from Anaheim Hills to Laguna Beach. The seat was vacated by Republican Mimi Walters after she was elected to Congress in November.
Garnering less attention is first-time candidate Naz Namazi, an Irvine Republican and aide to GOP Rep. Dana Rohrabacher – though Rohrabacher has endorsed Wagner. The sole Democrat running is registered nurse Louise Stew-ardson, a write-in hopeful from Huntington Beach facing Republicans’ daunting 13-point edge in voter registration.
Neither Namazi, 47, nor Stewardson, 60, are expected to be strong challengers. But they could draw enough votes to keep the leading candidates from winning more than 50 percent. Without that majority, the top two finishers advance to a May 19 runoff.
‘Chicken Little’
Moorlach’s independent streak landed him in the public spotlight in 1994, when the accountant and candidate for county treasurer trumpeted his belief that the county was on the brink of bankruptcy. He was ridiculed, called Chicken Little. Then came the bankruptcy, his appointment as treasurer, and a vanity plate for his Impala SS that read “SKYFELL.”
Moorlach went on to serve on the Board of Supervisors from 2006 to 2014, when he stepped down because of term limits. While on the board, he attracted headlines for efforts to roll back public employee union pensions. He was largely unsuccessful, but became a leading champion of the cause.
Those efforts have earned him the enmity of public employee unions in the county and across the state. Those unions have spent more than $100,000 in independent expenditures to defeat him.
Republican Assemblyman Matthew Harper, whose district is nestled within Senate District 37, concurs with Smoller’s assessment of the two candidates, noting Moorlach’s idealism and Wagner’s superior efforts at helping the GOP in local races. Wagner’s district reaches from Anaheim to Mission Viejo.
“Wagner’s also very much a team player up here in Sacramento,” said Harper, who had not decided who he was voting for when interviewed last week.
Wagner’s ability to build bridges with Sacramento Democrats as well as Republicans and his willingness to labor over low-profile issues has resulted in successful bills that don’t get much press but are important to those affected. One such effort by the Irvine attorney helped ease the mandated dissolution of Lake Forest’s redevelopment district. Another helps victims of real estate title scams regain clear possession of their property.
Moorlach, who lives in Costa Mesa, didn’t dispute the characterizations of Harper and Smoller.
“I’m not the one who goes out all the time and schmoozes,” he said. “I’d rather go home and spend time with my family.”
Union taint
Moorlach’s relatively prominent local profile allowed him to start the race as the better known candidate. But Wagner’s ambitious networking and early entry into the contest have helped him gain a huge edge in fundraising and endorsements.
As of the most recent filing period, he’d raised $371,000 to Moorlach’s $118,000 and Namazi’s $11,000. Stewardson did not report raising money. Wagner’s endorsements include the county sheriff and district attorney, three local members of Congress and 23 state legislators.
Of Moorlach’s former colleagues on the Board of Supervisors, three are backing Wagner and one is supporting Moorlach.
Public employee unions’ support of Wagner has left him vulnerable to attacks that he’s a union candidate – a political pejorative in the predominantly GOP district.
But the union spending is more aimed at defeating Moorlach than helping Wagner, who shares Moorlach’s support of a proposed statewide ballot measure that would allow local governments to negotiate reduced pension benefits for unions.
The two also share an advocacy for smaller government and lower taxes, and both oppose the state’s high-speed rail project.
Wagner generally agrees with the characterizations of Smoller and Harper, but he disagrees that he doesn’t tackle big issues. He points to bills seeking tort and regulatory reform he’s sponsored.
“What ends up happening is they die,” he said. “But they help keep the issue alive.”
Harper says he’ll be satisfied with either man in office.
“Both would represent Orange County well,” he said.
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