Zemel Drops Out of Congressional Race

Anaheim Councilman Bob Zemel withdrew Thursday his bid to become the Republican nominee to face Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D-Santa Ana) in November and endorsed former Rep. Robert K. Dornan.

Zemel called upon the four remaining Republican hopefuls to back Dornan who lost to Sanchez in 1996 by 984 votes. Dornan claimed the margin came from non-citizens who voted for Sanchez, but his attempt to have the election overturned failed in the House of Representatives.

“The best thing we can do for the voters of central Orange County is to avoid a costly, bloody primary and unite now behind Bob Dornan,” Zemel said. “These races shouldn’t be about ourselves personally. It shouldn’t be, ‘I want to be a congressman.’ ”

Sanchez press secretary Lee Godown said the first-term congresswoman would be delighted at a rematch if Dornan wins the June 2 primary.

“We hope [Dornan] stays in. Please,” Godown said.

Republican leaders have been nervously watching the race, fearful that if Dornan wins the primary, he will be a magnet for Democratic money into the district to bolster Sanchez and, by extension, other Democratic Assembly and Senate candidates.

The influential Lincoln Club of Orange County, a GOP fund-raising group, warned Dornan that its members would work against his election. Zemel said Dornan was determined to make his own decisions, regardless of what Lincoln Club members or other GOP leaders said.

“If he’s going to hog the ball, then let him shoot or we’re going to lose,” Zemel said. “I think he’s earned the right to hog the ball because of his record over 18 years in Congress.”

Lincoln Club Director Buck Johns said Dornan will have a hard time winning the primary unless he runs a better campaign than he did in 1996.

“[Dornan] needs to win back the admiration of the party,” Johns said. Zemel said he will consider other races this year and didn’t rule out a future run for Congress. Among races he said he is considering is Anaheim mayor and 4th District supervisor. He is up for reelection to a second four-year council term in November.