O.C. Republican Committee Honors Rohrabacher, Lam for Their Party Leadership

Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Huntington Beach) picked up an award last week when the Republican Central Committee of Orange County named him its “legislator of the year.” Westminster Councilman Tony Lam was recognized as “local elected official of the year.”

GOP County Chairman Thomas A. Fuentes said the annual awards “are the salute of the entire Republican Party to outstanding, energized contributors.”

“The award to Rohrabacher salutes his very dynamic, hands-on involvement in building the party . . . in playing a real role in the increased strength and development of the Republican Party in Orange County,” Fuentes said. “The same thing for Councilman Lam, who has been particularly strong in recruiting and registering new citizens and new neighbors to join our ranks.”

Lam, interviewed at his Vien Dong Restaurant in Westminster, said he was overwhelmed at the honor. He explained that his allegiance to the GOP began two decades ago when, in the aftermath of the Vietnam War, he fled his homeland, where he was an industrialist.

Rohrabacher, who was visiting the district last week, declined comment.

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Moving on: County Democrats look like they are literally following in the footsteps of county Republicans. The Democrats are moving their headquarters this month from the Santa Ana office building at 824 N. Broadway--formerly owned by South County rancher Richard O’Neill--into the Town and Country center, 777 S. Main St., Orange.

Yes, that is the same office complex that previously was home to the county GOP headquarters. The Democrats will be in suite 156.

Though the GOP has moved out to Costa Mesa, Democrats will still have to contend with the presence of Fuentes, who works next door on the 12th floor of 1100 Town and Country Road. From his perch, Fuentes can look over the rooftops and down on the Democratic offices.

“He’ll be able to watch over the Democrats from there,” quipped Bill Christiansen, executive director of the county Republicans.

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Campbell lawsuit? The Board of Supervisors is scheduled to consider Tuesday authorizing the county counsel’s office to file suit against Laurie Campbell, the short-lived Democratic candidate for the 67th Assembly District in November’s special election who was thrown off the ballot in October.

County officials want to sue Campbell to recover the $41,000 the registrar of voters office spent reprinting ballots and campaign booklets after a Sacramento judge ousted Campbell, finding that she had filed falsified nominating papers. Campbell had been a candidate to replace former Speaker Doris Allen (R-Cypress), who was recalled the same day attorney Scott Baugh (R-Huntington Beach) captured her seat.

If the supervisors approve the proposal, the county will likely file suit against Campbell but make every effort to settle the matter without a trial, said Deputy County Counsel Thomas C. Agin.

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Office shut: Assembly Speaker Curt Pringle (R-Garden Grove) continued cost cutting last week as he ordered the shutdown of a satellite speaker’s office in Newport Beach. The office, opened by then-Speaker Doris Allen last year, continued in operation under Allen staffers when she became speaker pro tem in September.

The suite of offices, which rented for $2,239 a month, were staffed by four people until Allen was ousted. A Pringle aide called a local office unnecessary when he has a district office in nearby Garden Grove. The state will continue to pay rent through Jan. 30.

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Targeting Bob: If Orange County Congressman Robert K. Dornan doesn’t win the GOP presidential nomination but wins the local primary for his 46th District congressional seat, he will find a prominent adversary: Candace Gingrich.

Gingrich, the lesbian half-sister of House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.), said she plans to campaign in 150 congressional races in 40 states on behalf of the Human Rights Campaign, to help defeat congressional candidates who discriminate against gays and lesbians. Dornan is the No. 1 target on the group’s list of House incumbents.

“Bob Dornan has basically made it his hobby, if not his goal as a congressman, to do everything he can to keep the gay and lesbian Americans as second-class citizens,” Candace Gingrich said.

Dornan’s office did not respond to a reporter’s telephone calls.

UPCOMING EVENTS

* Friday: South Orange County Congress of Republicans hosts a meet-the-GOP-candidates event at 7 p.m. in Fountain Valley at the home of Roger and Marilyn Hughes, 10106 Stillbite Ave. Call (714) 839-1350.

* Friday: State Sen. Lucy Killea speaks to Women in Leadership at a luncheon at the Pacific Club in Newport Beach. Reception starts at 11:30 a.m. Call (714) 644-0278.

* Saturday: Fullerton Republican Women Federated host Charles Wiley of Accuracy in Media. 6:30 p.m. at the Elks Lodge, 1451 Brea Boulevard. Call (714) 526-6735

Compiled by Times political writer Peter Warren with contributions from staff writers Gebe Martinez and Len Hall and correspondent Shelby Grad

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

O.C. Voter Registration As of Jan. 17, 1996

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Party Voters Percent Republicans 601,456 52.0% Democrats 378,702 33.0% Decline to state 121,457 10.5% Others 52,099 4.5% Total 1,153,714 100

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Source: Registrar of voters office; Researched by PETER WARREN / Los Angeles Times