Latham, Swan Quit, Back Others in 40th Dist. Race

Peer Swan and Kathleen B. Latham, two of the remaining 12 challengers in the race for the Republican nomination in the 40th Congressional District, withdrew Tuesday and endorsed other candidates in the campaign.

Swan, 43, of Tustin backed Newport Beach attorney C. Christopher Cox, while Latham, 46, of Irvine endorsed Newport Beach businessman Nathan Rosenberg.

Cox, Rosenberg and Irvine City Councilman C. David Baker are the leading candidates in the June 7 GOP primary. Because registered Republicans hold a 2-1 edge over Democrats, the primary winner is expected to fill the seat being vacated by retiring Rep. Robert E. Badham (R-Newport Beach).

Swan and Latham announced their decisions to withdraw at the campaign’s final candidates forum Tuesday night in Tustin.

Swan, treasurer of an Anaheim-based aerospace manufacturing firm, said he endorsed Cox because “of his integrity.”

Swan also said he entered the race because “I felt I was the best candidate.” But in recent days, he said, it had become apparent that he could not win. He said he believes that Cox, whom he described as “hard working and disciplined,” will be the best alternative.

Latham said she believed that if she stayed in the race she might take votes away from Rosenberg and open the door for someone else to win.

She said Rosenberg has the “energy to succeed in Washington . . . and has run a clean campaign up to this point.” She said that she is impressed with Rosenberg’s knowledge of a range of issues and that he should be the “type of freshman congressman who can go back to Washington and make an immediate impact.”