Former state senator John Moorlach says he’s taking a break from politics after his Orange County Board of Supervisors election loss.
“I have been blessed with a 27-year career,” Moorlach told The Epoch Times on March 10, a day after the special election to fill a vacant District 2 seat.
“I was not supposed to be in public service, I was supposed to be a partner in a CPA firm until December of last year. So, it’s just been an amazing career. ... I’ve been really fortunate, and I’ve had just some incredible experiences. You know, as treasurer, who gets to manage a $7 billion portfolio? Not too many people on this planet get that opportunity. So I sort of feel like today I’m finally free.”
During a special election March 9 to replace former supervisor Michelle Steel, Costa Mesa Mayor Katrina Foley emerged victorious, becoming the first Democrat in the seat since 1894.
Newport Beach Councilmember Kevin Muldoon, Fountain Valley Mayor Michael Vo, and tax attorney Janet Rappaport were also in the running in a race that ultimately came down to Foley and Moorlach.
Foley received 42,347 votes to Moorlach’s 29,628 ballots. Trailing behind were Muldoon with 10,745 votes, Vo with 8,639 votes, and tax attorney Janet Rappaport with 4,266 votes.
Moorlach, who was endorsed by the Orange County Republican Party, said he was disappointed by fellow GOP candidates Muldoon and Vo, who split the vote.
“I don’t know if I was surprised [by the results,]” Moorlach said. “I think more than anything I was disappointed in what two Republican turncoats could do to the whole equation.”
“If those two were not in the race, I would have won. So it’s unfortunate, and, you know, you can’t help people that are impetuous.”
