OC/DC: Looking Back a Decade

This year was the ten year anniversary for two elected officials  I have had the pleasure of serving: Curt Pringle and Jim Rogan. 

Earlier this year, Curt celebrated the anniversary of his election as Speaker of the Assembly; today marks the ten year anniversary of Jim Rogan's election to Congress representing a district that then included Glendale, Burbank, Pasadena, La Canada, La Crescenta and some of the smaller surrounding communities. 

Jim served two terms in Congress before loosing the 2000 election to Adam Schiff, a year in which voters were polarized and motivated -- for and against --  Rogan's participation in former President Clinton's impeachment trial in the Senate, where Rogan served as a House Manager.  At the time, the race was the most expensive House contest in history raising and spending in excess of $11 million dollars and mobilizing campaign operations that rivaled senate campaigns in terms of their size, number of volunteers and the amount of high level media coverage.  The New York Times Magazine devoted the cover of one pre-election issue to exclusive coverage of the race.  Election night media coverage included live hook-ups with the big networks and more cameras and satellite trucks than we could count. 

The next morning, Jim -- as stoic and strong as ever -- hosted a press conference in the same hotel where we held the "victory rally" the night before. He was circumspect but at peace with the decision and not for a moment did he regret his vote for impeachment or serving as a true conservative in a marginal Republican district that over time became a majority-Democrat district.  That day began the next chapter of Jim's career, that would ultimately lead him to Orange County.

Following service in the Bush Administration, as Under Secretary of Commerce and Director of the Patent and Trademark Office, Jim returned to private law practice and ultimately a law office in Orange County.  He published an acclaimed and downright funny memoir, Rough Edges, chronicling his rise from the tough streets of the Mission District to UCLA Law School and on to the Municipal Court in Glendale and later Congress. 

Earlier this year, Jim was appointed by the Governor as judge in North Court, serving the Superior Court.  Jim resides in Yorba Linda with his wife and daughters.  Given his young age, his rock solid conservative credentials and his appeal as a candidate, Orange County may one day again have the benefit of an elected Jim Rogan.

Comments

[One Who Knows]

"Given his young age, his rock solid conservative credentials and his appeal as a candidate, Orange County may one day again have the benefit of an elected Jim Rogan."

Well, since according to the California Constitution Judges MUST stand for election after their appointment and every six years thereafter, I am quite sure that your bold prediction will actually come true.

As the two guys say in the beer commerical..."That's BRILLIANT!"

[Pringle and Pulido vs Agran]

One of the things that seperates big city Mayors like Curt Pringle and Miguel Pulido from guys like Larry Agran is that Curt and Miguel have figured out how to work with members of the other party. Both Pulido and Pringle have supported Republicans and Democrats for Council while Agran has stuck to his all Dem slates.