Leslie Daigle for California State Assembly 2010!

By Jack Wu

Yes, you read the title correctly.

I think Newport Beach city councilmember Leslie Daigle should run for the California State Assembly in the 70th Assembly District to replace termed out Assemblyman and US Senate Candidate Chuck DeVore.

Really.

It’s still not quite too late either.

And I’m even sober as I write this. Sorta of …

Sane? Well, maybe not.

Let me detail the reasons.

But before I do, you should know that as a very conservative Republican, I don’t particularly care for Leslie (if you want to read how much I don’t care for her, go to Newportbeachvoices.com, type in Leslie Daigle, and you’ll see all my rants about her.)

And, I’m not the only politico/voter/human being who doesn’t think particularly highly of her.

Remember when Leslie took credit for saving the golf course’s parking lot? Even after County Supervisor John Moorlach sent out numerous emails essentially stating the exact opposite – almost calling her an opportunistic liar.

She still took credit.

Remember the claims about her wanting to be an INS Officer and start deporting Mexicans at Corona del Mar High School?

Remember this, remember that – there are too many fun things to mention.

Anyway, back to why Leslie Daigle should run for the Republican nomination for 70th Assembly District:

• She knows how to raise money. Who raises $33,000 in 11 months before an election in a supposed down economy? She raised big money in 2006; she will raise big money again in 2010 and WITH NO ANNOUNCED OPPONENT YET. Granted, she would need to raise about $250,000 tomorrow, but I’m positive that she would come awfully close.
• Even if she runs for Assembly, the primary is in June, which means that if she loses the primary, she still runs for city council in November. If she wins the Republican nomination in June, because the 70th Assembly District is overwhelmingly Republican, she wins in November.
• Even if she doesn’t win the primary, it most certainly raises her Name ID outside of Newport Beach for her very oft rumored run for John Moorlach’s County Supervisor seat when he eventually terms out in 2014.

She has nothing to lose here.

Now why do I think she can win?

Easy. All you need to do is look at who else is in the race.
• Tustin city councilmember Jerry Amante.
I know who he is, but do you? $5 says you’ve never even heard of him. I’m sure people in Irvine, Lake Forest, Newport Beach, and even his own town of Tustin have never heard of him. He calls himself a conservative. He is a male and has a moustache.
• Irvine city councilmember Steven Choi.
I know who he is, but do you? $2 (I have 3-year-old triplets, I’m poor) says you don’t. I’ve known him since he ran for the Irvine Unified School Board in 1998. I was even his campaign treasurer for his first run for Irvine City Council in 2004. In my mind he’s the front runner. Why? Irvine is by far, the largest city in the 70th Assembly District and he’s won in Irvine four times. Count ‘em. FOUR TIMES. He is a conservative. He is a male. His English, not so good.
• South Orange Community College District President and Irvine attorney Don Wagner. I know who he is, but I will absolutely and unequivocally GUARANTEE you have no idea who he is. He is a conservative (until a recent union-sucking, union-loving vote). He is a male. He has some seriously damaging rumors floating around about him (which I pray to God are not true). Right now which are seriously, very seriously ugly. For the sake of Tom Johnson, the very wonderful Newport-Mesa Daily Voice, and most importantly me, that’s all I’m going to say about that.

Now, take a look at those three conservative males up there and do I need to continue explaining why Leslie Daigle would beat those three guys easily. (Hint? See Marilyn Brewer’s rise to the Assembly)

I’ve spoken with some political insider types who all unanimously ponder why there isn’t a front runner in the race right now, with even some calling it WIDE OPEN enough for someone else to jump right in and take over!

Leslie is very camera friendly, she is a female, and she’s certainly not a conservative. Not even a newly found conservative (like some certain U.S. senatorial and California gubernatorial candidates).

And what will happen if you mix in a camera-friendly female, moderate, six-year-member of the Newport Beach City Council into a gaggle of suits?

Most importantly, Leslie also has the full support of Newport Beach’s only full-fledged saint ... Marian (if I need to explain who Marian is, shame on you!).

Add all that together and what do you get?

… as long as she keeps her mouth shut and keeps from putting anything down in writing…

Hello to you, the Assemblywoman from the 70th Assembly District, Leslie Daigle!

Jack Wu is a contributing writer to The Daily Voice. He is a local businessman, former Newport Beach City Council candidate and active in the Republican Party.