Moorlach Officially Declares California State Senate Run

—LOS ANGELES  Recently-termed out Orange County, Calif., Supervisor John Moorlach made official his plans to run for an open state Senate seat in a March special election.

Moorlach, a Republican who declared his candidacy Wednesday, will compete with Assemblyman Don Wagner, another Republican, to fill the seat vacated when incumbent Mimi Walters was elected to Congress in November.

Orange County is a Republican stronghold.

In his blog, Moorlach told supporters of his plan to run in early December.

Wagner, who signaled a run in early 2014 if Walters ascended to Congress, has a head start on Moorlach in fundraising.

Moorlach, credited with predicting Orange County's bankruptcy in 1994, was the county treasurer-tax collector for 12 years starting in 1995. He then served eight years as a county supervisor, racking up 20 years of public service.

The primary election for Assembly District 37 will be held March 17. If no candidate receives more than 50% of the vote, the two candidates, who receive the most votes, will face off on May 19.

In a prepared statement, Moorlach called the state's financial condition shaky, comparing it to Orange County of 20 years ago.

"It's time to get our fiscal house in order," Moorlach said.  "Our economy will thrive when California gets serious about eliminating its wall of debt and huge unfunded liabilities."

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