Moorlach Mulls Run for Governor

John Moorlach received his memorable election advice while in the dentist’s chair, the Orange County Supervisor said.  

A friend, who also takes care of Moorlach's teeth, made an off-the-cuff comment in early January: “I think you should be our governor.”

“And he started laughing and then he paused,” Moorlach said, “and he looks at me, looks at me very seriously and says, ‘I’d really like you to be our governor.’”

So Moorlach, who’s represented Orange County's 2nd District since 2006, decided to consider a bid for the state's highest office next year. He hopes to have a decision by April. Currently, Moorlach represents Rossmoor, Seal Beach, Los Alamitos, Costa Mesa, Newport Beach, Cypress, Huntington Beach and part of Fountain Valley.

Moorlach said he hasn’t made up his mind yet, and he’s seeking input from supporters and critics alike.

“I’m still on my listening tour,” Moorlach said. “I just haven’t come up with a definite answer yet. But I’m having fun.”

Before beginning his term as supervisor, Moorlach also served as the county treasurer-tax collector from 1995 to 2006, and he said the state’s financial woes helped inspire his political aspirations.

“When you see a state you really love and you see that the liabilities on the books are higher than the assets, that would tell you that your state’s sort of in what we would call a bankrupt condition,” Moorlach said. “And so (you ask yourself)’ what can you bring to the equation to help?’”

Moorlach said he has the experience necessary to steer California, especially considering the size of county.

“The county of Orange has a population that’s greater than 20 states, so, for all intents and purposes, we’re already a state," Moorlach said. “We deal with the same issues whether it’s dealing with public safety, health care you name it … (the) same issues as the governor just in different respects.”

Former Fountain Valley mayor and current councilman John Collins said Moorlach would do well as governor.

“He’s a very detailed person, and he has a very good financial understanding and background,” said Collins, who worked as a policy advisor for Moorlach in the county office. “He’s got a sound personality  — good moral principles.”

From dealing with state offices as a supervisor, he has a solid understanding of how the state works, Collins added.

Mark Nitikman, former president of the Rossmoor Community Services District, said he has a cordial relationship with Moorlach. However, many people in the 3000-home unincorporated community in northwestern Orange County think Moorlach holds a grudge against Rossmoor because the residents voted against cityhood in 2008.

“I think since the cityhood drive, a lot of people felt he had gone out of his way to be antagonistic to Rossmoor, that the defeat of the incorporation drive was somehow personal against him, which it wasn’t, and that some of us have gotten the feeling that he has had personal animosity or exhibited personal animosity (towards Rossmoor),” Nitikman said.

Moorlach disagrees.

“I think after any campaign you’re going to have disappointments and critics, but I don’t’ think I’ve been venting any animosities.” Moorlach said. “You know, you move on.”

As a Republican candidate for governor in a largely Democratic state, Moorlach said he knows the odds are against him, but he said he’s still considering it. Moorlach said he has a fundamental disagreement with the way Governor Jerry Brown is running the state.

“He believes if you raise taxes, you actually raise revenues, and I’m more about trying to encourage people to be successful and prosperous,” Moorlach said.

He said Brown’s policies make “everything a little more expensive and, therefore, discourage people from starting businesses.”

Moorlach, whose term expires in 2014, said he’s proud of his track record including his role in the creation of the county’s Office of Independent Review, the passage of Measure J and the annexation of unincorporated county areas into cities.

He said one of his disappointments as supervisor was the state Supreme Court decision to deny the county's lawsuit over retroactive pension increases for the Orange County Sheriff's Department.

He said he counted his plan to create a supercity out of Los Alamitos Seal beach and Rossmoor as a success, even if

“I see the supercity as an idea that needs to come from the ground up.  So, I see it more as a success that, at least, we started dialogue over the years, even if it frustrated some people,” Moorlach said.

Moorlach said he might not even run for office again.

“One of my options is just to retire and take a nice break and then do some consulting — maybe run a nonprofit,” Moorlach said.  

Or, he said, he might run for a different state position.

 “There are a lot of friends that are saying maybe there are other options to consider: One, being running for state controller. Another may be state board of equalization.”

Moorlach said he hasn’t made up his mind. He said anyone with advice, whether critical or supportive, can send him an email at district2@ocgov.com.

 “I’m at an interesting juncture,” said Moorlach. “And, as Yogi Berra said, ‘When you get to the fork in the road, take it.’”

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