Political Landscape: No retirement for Rohrabacher, who says he’s running for reelection

With the announcements of two congressional retirements in less than a week, many California politicos are wondering who could be next as the Republican delegation faces an increasingly hostile outlook for the midterm elections.

In a statement Wednesday, Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Costa Mesa) said it loud and clear: It won’t be him.

“I am unequivocally running for reelection and confident that my views reflect the values and the needs of my constituents here in Orange County,” Rohrabacher said in a statement posted to his website and on social media. “I’ve never run away from a fight over things I believe and I’m not about to start now.”

Rohrabacher, a 15-term congressman, has consistently won reelection by large margins. But his controversial tactics and ties to Russia and Russian operatives have prompted a long list of Democrats to challenge him this year.

GOP Reps. Ed Royce (Fullerton) and Darrell Issa (Vista) both announced this week that they would not seek reelection.

— Christine Mai-Duc, Los Angeles Times

Tax reform to be discussed at Newport Beach Women’s Democratic Club meeting

Stephen Landsman, a tax partner with the firm Squar Milner LLP, will lead a discussion of the recently passed federal tax reform bill during Tuesday’s meeting of the Newport Beach Women’s Democratic Club.

The meeting will be held in Room 1 at the Oasis Senior Center, 801 Narcissus Ave., Corona del Mar. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.

Admission for club members is free with an RSVP and $10 for walk-ins. Non-members can attend for $10 with an RSVP or pay $15 at the door.

For more information or to RSVP, visit NBWDC.org or call (949) 423-6468.

Jewish Republican Alliance chapter to meet in Newport

The Jewish Republican Alliance will have the inaugural luncheon meeting of its Newport Beach chapter from noon to 1:30 p.m. Jan. 19.

The event will be at Bayside Restaurant, 900 Bayside Drive. Tickets are $30 for alliance members and $35 for non-members.

For more information, call (818) 419-9278 or visit jewishrepublicanalliance.org.