Dornan Seeks Cash for Recount, Future Plans

Defeated Rep. Robert K. Dornan (R-Garden Grove) is conducting a national fund-raising campaign via mail and through advertisements to finance his investigation into alleged voter fraud and to keep his options open should he decide to run again for political office.

Dornan lost to Democrat Loretta Sanchez by 984 votes in the 46th Congressional District race last month, but is now paying for a recount in the election.

The solicitations are being made via a full-page advertisement in the current edition of the conservative Washington Times national weekly edition, as well as in a series of letters sent since the election to the 30,000 people on his countrywide mailing list.

And while Dornan is “not counting out running again” in the district, he called that prospect “unlikely” in an interview Wednesday.

Dornan said the newest contributions allow him to have a role in the 1998 election in the 46th District, even if he is not a candidate. He said he could finance an anti-Sanchez campaign or might run for U.S. Senate in 1998 against Democratic incumbent Barbara Boxer of California.

“I am dedicated to making sure [Sanchez] is a one-termer,” he said. “I do believe she lied her way into office, by lying about me and her background.”

Sanchez could not be reached for comment.

Her spokesman, John Shallman, called Dornan “a pathetic crybaby who is suffering from post-election traumatic stress disorder. His embarrassing antics following this defeat is proof positive that everything said about him during the campaign was true.”

During the recount of about 5,500 ballots Wednesday, Dornan closed the gap by three votes. About 106,000 ballots are to be counted with the tally scheduled to be completed by Dec. 20.

On Monday and Tuesday, Dornan’s representatives collected information off absentee ballot envelopes, precinct tally sheets and voter rosters. They are looking for evidence of fraud, negligence or irregularities in the election procedures to present to a court or the U.S. House of Representatives.

“The most striking thing, after all this rhetoric and time, is how little support or proof of his claim” there is, said Chris Sautter, a recount expert for the Democratic congresswoman-elect.

Dornan was ahead by 233 votes after vote counting election day, but lost when late absentees and other special ballots were totaled in the two weeks after the election. He has alleged that noncitizens voted in the contest and that the unusual tide of absentee votes indicates fraud in the election.

Dornan said he raised about $10,000 from friends to pay for the recount, and also has received some $30,000 from the far-flung cadre of conservative supporters on his national mailing list. Dornan is paying the county $10,000 to $15,000 for the recount.