Moving the chess pieces

In my giddiness over a possible Republican throw-down for Rep.

Chris Cox’s seat, were he to get an even more stable appointment

elsewhere, I glossed over the fact that state Sen. Ross Johnson is

facing term limits.

So let the race begin.

And it did last week, with both of Newport-Mesa’s Assemblymen,

John Campbell and Ken Maddox, announcing their intentions and taking

ample opportunity to deliver some early political punches to each

other.

You could feel the delight among the writers as they filed their

reports.

Campbell has a few apparent advantages this early on, as he’s

already secured a few notable endorsements: Johnson’s and Senate

Minority Leader Jim Brulte’s.

But Campbell and Maddox are remarkably close in what promises to

be another factor in this race: money.

According to records at the California Secretary of State’s

office, as of Oct. 19 (the last available numbers), Campbell had

$175,000 in his campaign coffers, having raised $278,000 in 2002.

Maddox trailed not far behind with $153,000, having raised

$150,000 during the year.

Campbell, who has his own personal wealth to draw on, probably has

the upper hand when it comes to future fund-raising (and he clearly

raised more for his reelection than Maddox did). But at this point,

the starting line seems pretty even.

A third potential candidate, Assemblywoman Pat Bates, is further

behind in the money race. She had raised $33,000 by Oct. 19, and had

nearly $47,000 in cash.

Speculation has it that the race could cost the winner as much as

$1 million.

Campbell’s early announcement was much akin to how he handled his

first run for the Assembly, way back in 1999. Then, he got in early

when former Assemblywoman Marilyn Brewer was being termed out, as

Johnson is now.

He had plenty of available money and a number of early

endorsements, which together kept challengers out of the race.

This time, however, it doesn’t appear that it will be such a

smooth sail, unless there is behind-closed-door deals in which the

political chess pieces get moved to most everyone’s liking.

And that should prove to be to voters’ benefits, for -- short of a

Hollywood-type miracle -- the Republican in this race will win the

seat. So the real battle will be in the primary, with the November

election (yes, almost two years away) a mere formality. And, as it

will be GOPer versus GOPer, the issues they debate will likely be

ones of more interest to the majority of voters.

It is worth hoping that the initial war of words will be augmented

by substantial discussions on meaningful topics.

Of course, this news means more political fun than just who will

replace Johnson. Keep in mind that if Campbell is running for higher

office, that opens up his seat in the Assembly. And Maddox is termed

out of his spot, so there will be a new face in Newport-Mesa’s newest

district (thanks to realignment).

Given Campbell’s strategy last time around, it might not be long

before names for those seats pop up.

Costa Mesa City Councilman Gary Monahan, who remains a bright star

for the Republican Party in the city, said he has no interest in

going to Sacramento. A better possibility for Campbell’s seat would

be Irvine council members, including Christina Shea, who was among

those scared off by Campbell’s early endorsements in 1999.

Or, imagine Irvine Mayor Larry Agran in that spot, actually

representing Newport Beach.

So political junkies, delight. We seem destined for a couple of

interesting races, at least.

* S.J. CAHN is the managing editor. He can be reached at (949)

574-4233 or by e-mail at [email protected].