Rohrabacher, Dornan to Meet Again

Orange County Reps. Robert K. Dornan and Dana Rohrabacher agreed Wednesday to meet again today for the third time this week in hopes of averting a head-to-head Republican primary next June for a proposed congressional seat in Huntington Beach.

Both lawmakers have agreed not to reveal details about their discussion, but when asked why they are continuing to meet, Dornan (R-Garden Grove) said Wednesday evening, “It’s friendship.

“What we’re trying to do is not to make a selfish decision based on our careers; we’re trying to do what’s best for the Southland,” Dornan said after the meeting ended Wednesday. “There are a few ways this could go and one is that we both go” for the proposed Huntington Beach district.

Dornan said he is still planning to hold a scheduled press conference in Huntington Beach on Saturday to make his formal announcement.

Rohrabacher (R-Long Beach) was unavailable Wednesday evening, but his aide said: “The meeting has broken up, but the dialogue continues. Everyone’s intentions will be known by Saturday.”

The disputed district is included in a reapportionment map that is scheduled to receive final approval late next month from a group of special masters appointed by the state Supreme Court. The court is first scheduled to hold hearings on the maps and could still make adjustments to the district lines.

But most elected officials are preparing for next year’s campaigns on the assumption that the districts will remain substantially unchanged. Huntington Beach Mayor Jim Silva has also announced his plans to run in the Republican primary for the 45th Congressional District, even if it means facing the two incumbents.

Dornan and Rohrabacher met for a total of more than five hours Tuesday and Wednesday in the office of Rep. Duncan L. Hunter (R-Coronado), a top-ranking GOP House leader who is acting as mediator.

Republicans were alarmed by the damaging implications in Dornan’s announcement Sunday that he planned to run for the proposed Huntington Beach seat that Rohrabacher had previously claimed. Republicans in Washington and Orange County were concerned that they could lose an incumbent lawmaker as well as jeopardize their control of the central county area that Dornan currently represents.