Unpredictable primary results in 73rd Assembly District race

In theory, the most GOP-centric political quarter in Orange County should be a Republican cakewalk.

But it’s unclear if that will be the case on March 3 in the 73 rd Assembly District, where four challengers — two Democrats and two Republicans — are hoping to unseat embattled incumbent GOP Assemblyman Bill Brough.

Brough, 53, is in his third term representing AD-7 3, which stretchings from Trabuco Canyon down to San Clemente. It’s “the worlds largest” solidly red quarter in Orange County, with Republican viewing a 12 percentage point registration advantage over Democrats. District voters have communicated a Republican to Sacramento for decades, and theirs was one of the few Orange County districts to prefer Donald Trump for president in 2016.

A year ago, experts would have pegged Brough as safe for re-election. He’s easily won all three of his previous campaigns. In Sacramento, he’s recently introduced legislation to give mental health professionals a taxation approval on their licensing costs, to protect disabled ex-serviceman subcontractors, and to let people opt to renew their vehicle registration every two years.

But Brough also is under state investigation for accusations of sexually assaulting at least four brides , and for the potential misuse of up to $ 200,000 in campaign funds. Brough repudiates wrongdoing in both cases, saying the accusations are held to disagreements with his stance on toll road programmes. But the accusations have motivated neighbourhood Republican parties and organizations to withdraw their support.

Brough declined to participate in the Register’s candidate survey, with questions about his views and policy schedules. His campaign had $22,576 in cash on hand as of Friday, Feb. 28.

One Republican challenger for the seat is Laguna Niguel Mayor Laurie Davies. She’s nabbed GOP acceptances that typically would go to the incumbent, including the use of the California Republican Party and onetime Rep. Mimi Walters.

Davies, 53, owns a marry meaning business. She’s dished on the board of directors for the Orange County Transportation Authority, the Orange County Fire Authority and her regional HOA. She lives in Laguna Niguel with her husband and their dog.

Davies’ safarus is focused on transportation, public security and fiscal development issues, with pledges to lower taxes, invest in infrastructure and naturalness homelessness. She’s sitting on $14,646 in safarus cash foreman into the March 3 primary.

A political committee funded by a local firefighters consolidation and individuals, announced South County Homeowners Opposing Laurie Davies for Assembly 2020, has invested $6,560 on mailers against Davies campaign.

Another Republican running in AD-7 3 is Mission Viejo Councilman Ed Sachs. He has backing from organizations such as the California Professional Firefighters, and from various regional GOP officials, including 5th District Supervisor Lisa Bartlett.

Sachs, 73, is a Vietnam veteran and onetime director of Pioneer Electronics. He’s now proprietor and managing board of Associate Marketing Collaborator, Inc. He’s been married for more than 30 years and has two adult lads, with one serving in the Air Force.

Sachs is campaigning on promises to tackle pension debt, safeguard Prop. 13 and advance penalties for offenders. He has $43,037 in expedition cash.

Democrat Scott Rhinehart of Mission Viejo is challenging Brough in AD-7 3 for a second time. In 2018, he lost to Brough by 12%, or 25,620 votes.

Rhinehart, 70, previously ranged his own real estate firm and he now operates as a business services lead. He and his husband have raised two children and six grandchildren, and he “couldve been” the first openly-gay state legislator from Orange County.

Rhinehart says he would work to stop offshore drilling, remove nuclear waste from San Onofre and endorsement Medicare for all. He’s reporting $27,839 in cash on hand.

Democratic challenger Chris Duncan entered the AD-7 3 hasten later than Rhinehart, but his campaign is picking up steam.

Duncan, 44, is an attorney with U.S. Customs and Border Control who has worked under governments from both parties. He’s a political beginner — a stamp he wears with pride, saying he’s” not a politician .” Duncan lives in San Clemente with his wife, who runs a small business, and his three boys, who attend local public schools.

Duncan says he will push legislation against tariff raises and fraud, and legislation that would battle climate change. He hasr $7,334 in expedition money manager into the March 3 primary.

Check back here for live results of the elections on the AD-7 3 scoot starting around 8 p. m. March 3.

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