Newport lawyer eyes Cox's seat

[question everything]

Published July 26, 2005

Newport lawyer eyes Cox's seat

*Attorney says he plans to run for the 48th District post.

By Alicia Robinson, Daily Pilot


(snip)

Young, 51, is a trial lawyer who takes over cases for other attorneys, sometimes on the eve of a trial. Describing himself as a fiscal conservative with Democratic ideals, Young said he's angry that Congress recently cut medical benefits for veterans returning from the war in Iraq. A lifelong Republican until 2 ½ years ago, Young hasn't been politically active before now. He changed parties because of the Iraq war.

(snip)

But Young may have to duke it out with other Democrats. UC Irvine business professor John Graham, who has lost to Cox three times, has said he might run again. About half a dozen Democrats have expressed interest in the seat, said Susan Freeze, a member of the Orange County Democratic Party's central committee.

Such an abundance of Democratic candidates in the 48th Congressional District is unusual, but this is also an unusual situation. The seat will be filled in a special election, but who gets on the ballot will be decided in an earlier open primary, when voters can choose any candidate, regardless of their party registration. But a Democrat winning isn't inconceivable, UC Irvine political scientist Mark Petracca said. For that to happen, first there would need to be several Republicans on the ballot to split the GOP vote.

So far, so good: state Sen. John Campbell and former Assemblywoman Marilyn Brewer are already raising money, and former Rep. Bob Dornan -- a lifelong Republican -- has said he might run, although he's flirted with running on the American Independent party ticket. Other GOP candidates have said they're waiting until Cox officially quits the House to decide.

(snip)

Brewer's stance on abortion rights has won her the backing of Women In Leadership, an Orange County-based nonpartisan political group that has planned a fundraiser for Brewer Aug. 4 in Costa Mesa. The group's goal is to elect women who support abortion rights. So far, no Democratic candidates fill that bill, said Pam Gilmour, Women In Leadership's board president.

(snip)

http://www.dailypilot.com/politics/story/19614p-27643c.html

[DBoon]

1. the Orange Curtain will fall!

nt