Countywide : Capizzi to Announce D.A. Candidacy

After two months of speculation, Michael R. Capizzi, second-in-command in the prosecutor’s office, will make it official today that he is running for Orange County district attorney.

Capizzi, 47, said Tuesday that he would announce his candidacy at a 10:30 a.m. news conference in the county Hall of Administration in Santa Ana.

A veteran prosecutor who directed a series of successful political corruption investigations, Capizzi has been preparing for a campaign since Dist. Atty. Cecil Hicks announced in August that he will not seek reelection in June, 1990, after 23 years in office.

And although a colleague, Deputy Dist. Atty. Thomas Avdeef, already has announced his candidacy for the post, Capizzi has waited until now, quietly seeking commitments of support from around the county.

Political experts have said Capizzi will be tough to beat, especially if Hicks leaves office early and the Board of Supervisors appoints Capizzi to finish his term, giving Capizzi some of the political advantages of incumbency.

Hicks has given no indication as to whether he intends to leave office early.