Connie’s Recommendations
by Connie Lee

I’ll be voting as a Republican in the June 3 Primary, and my recommendations are based on personal interviews and comparing backgrounds and voting records.

Vote for six candidates from a field of 11 for the Orange County Republican Central Committee, which directs the county’s Republican Party. The Central Committee is often criticized for being controlled by good old boys and their lobbyist friends. The best remedy is to stop re-electing good old boys. Here are my top six.

Ann Hagerty: tireless Republican worker; selfless, generous, informed, intelligent. Highly ethical leader of Republican groups. Mission Viejo resident.

Jack J. Anderson: former Planning Commissioner for Mission Viejo who supported residents against the Steadfast housing mess; candidate for permanent Sheriff.

Todd Spitzer: termed-out Assemblyman, informed, articulate, won’t be run over. Feisty and outspoken. Not popular with everyone, but liberals can’t stand him – it works for me.

Sally Connolly: true-blue Republican conservative; hardworking woman who has earned sainthood for Republican volunteerism. Ethical, principled Mission Viejo resident.

Dorothy Wedel: Mission Viejo resident who led the battle against the Steadfast housing mess as a Planning Commissioner. Outspoken, feisty leader who won’t be run over.

John Williams: Mission Viejo resident who serves as Orange County’s Public Administrator. Long record of public service and a solid Republican conservative.

All of the above are Mission Viejo residents except Todd.

For judges, I’m recommending Republicans Nick Thompson, Jon Fish, Kermit Marsh and John Nguyen. Except for Nguyen, each race has at least one reasonable alternative. For example, you won’t go wrong by choosing Mike Bartlett over Nick Thompson.

On the Measures, vote yes on 98, no on 99. Measure 98 is the real protection against eminent domain. Measure 99 is a sham, deliberately worded to confuse people.

In the 42nd District, Congressman Gary G. Miller, unopposed; excellent voting record.

For State Senator in the 33rd District – this race has deteriorated to attacks. I’m going to make some people unhappy with my split recommendation, and I am ignoring the mud-slinging. Choose Mimi for her work for Republican principles. Choose Harry as a good Republican leader. Despite the mailers, both oppose illegal immigration.

State Assembly, 71st Assembly District: I am recommending Jeff Miller, and I have interviewed both Jeff and Neil. Jeff gave straightforward answers and cited his record of conservative Republican leadership. To my questions about background and ethics, Neil sometimes said “I’m a Christian” without answering. By the time he insulted my religion (Catholic) and implied Catholics aren’t “saved” because they don’t believe what he believes, I concluded he is unsuited for office. Neil’s hit pieces center on an alleged indictment of Jeff, which is false (May 17 OC Register has an article on this).

Whether or not you agree with my picks, please take the time to vote on June 3.