Assembly District 71 straddles the Orange County/Riverside County lines. The incumbent, Todd Spitzer, is facing term limits and so there is a primary taking place in this, one of California’s most Republican legislative districts.
From the Riverside part of the district is Corona Councilman and Riverside County GOP Chaiirman Jeff Miller. On the Orange County side are Rancho Santa Margarita Councilman Neil Blais, Mission Viejo Councilman John Paul Ledesma and Irvine Councilman Steven Choi, the latter being the only moderate in the field.
With 60% or so of this district in Orange Cpunty, if one of those from “The OC” can emerge as a dominant candidate, they stand a great shot, though Miller is formidable in this race.
That said, Neil Blais has really been on the move, garnering much support and raising big bucks. To aid his effort, calling the efforts-to-date of Ledesma and Choi “invisible” would be an overstatement.
Today Neil shared with me that he has now been endorsed by three very big names… Senate Republican Leader Dick Ackerman, Assemblyman Todd Spizer (remember, he is the current occupant of the seat), and former CRP Chairman and OC ‘Kingmaker’ Mike Schroeder.
These endorsement will serve Blais well, and represent a new challenge for Miller, who clearly will have a tougher go of it in Orange County now…
Congrats Neil – big news indeed!