NOW Leader Hits Town, Conservatives : Politics: Patricia Ireland makes her first O.C. stop to jab at Reps. Dornan and Ferguson and endorse women challengers Judith M. Ryan and Mary Hornbuckle.

To a roomful of rowdy cheers and applause, Patricia Ireland, the controversial president of the National Organization for Women, on Friday night implored women to join “a quiet revolution in Orange County” by electing women into office and ousting conservative males. On the swing through California to kick off NOW’s Elect Women for a Change national movement, Ireland made her first visit to Orange County to campaign for former Superior Court Judge Judith M. Ryan and Costa Mesa Mayor Mary Hornbuckle. They are seeking to unseat two of the county’s most conservative legislators in the June 2 primary.

Ryan, 49, of Yorba Linda is trying to wrest the GOP nomination from Rep. Robert K. Dornan (R-Garden Grove) in the 46th Congressional District, which includes the cities of Santa Ana, Garden Grove and parts of Anaheim. Dornan, 59, a 13-year veteran, has not faced opposition in a primary since moving to Orange County and being reelected to Congress in 1984. Before that he had represented a district in Los Angeles County.

Hornbuckle, 49, is battling to unseat four-time Assemblyman Gil Ferguson (R-Newport Beach) in the 70th Assembly District, an office he has occupied since 1984. The 70th Assembly District stretches along the central county coast.

The women, both Republicans, are campaigning heavily as advocates of abortion rights.

The incumbents both ardently oppose legalized abortion and therefore are outdated on women issues, Ireland told a group of about 100 women at the home of a NOW member.

Referring to the recent upset victories by women candidates in the U.S. Senate primaries in Illinois and Pennsylvania, Ireland told the crowd: “Now is the right time . . . and this is the year of the women.”

In March, Carol Moseley Braun shook Capitol Hill when she ousted the longtime incumbent, Democratic U.S. Sen. Alan J. Dixon, in the Illinois primary.

Following Braun’s unexpected victory, political neophyte Lynn Yeakel beat her opponent to win the Pennsylvania Democratic primary, and in November will face two-term Republican U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter.

“There are those who said we’re just voting for women because they’re women,” Ireland said. “Well, for 200 years, we’ve supported men just because they’re men.”

Taking a jab at Dornan, Ireland said: “On June 2nd, Bully Bob will be surprised to wake up and find his seat taken.”

Dornan and Ferguson on Friday said their opponents have effectively plunged into their political downfall by seeking Ireland’s support. The president of NOW took office in December and immediately was a subject of controversy when she revealed that she has a female companion, even though she is married.

“I think that this Jerry Brown-appointed, ex-judge has gone loony,” Dornan said. Ryan “may have had a shot (in the primary), but she’s so wrapped up in the fringe of the Democratic Party that it has now affected her astounding poor judgment.”

The support of NOW and specifically, Ireland, “has to help me,” he added.

Ferguson, 69, said if he had known earlier that Ireland would voice for Hornbuckle, he would not have campaigned as vigorously as he had.

Ryan and Hornbuckle said they value Ireland’s and NOW’s support.

“There are Republicans and there are Republicans, and not all Republicans are overreacting as Mr. Ferguson is,” Hornbuckle said. “He’s skirting the issues, and the main issue here is that thinking voters want people who can get the job done.”

Ryan said that Dornan was “dangerous to women,” and she disregarded his political assessment that Ireland’s support would destroy her chances.

“I think we have met the enemy and he is ours,” she said.