Newport candidate lands Connerly’s support

S.J. Cahn

Newport Beach resident Marianna Zippi has cornered a notable

endorsement in her run for the 70th Assembly District.

Zippi, who had for Newport Beach City Council last year and has

been working with former Assemblyman Gil Ferguson and his wife,

Anita, has nailed down the support of University of California Regent

Ward Connerly.

Connerly is likely best known right now for being the chief backer

of Proposition 54, which is on Tuesday’s ballot. It would amend

California’s Constitution to stop state agencies from classifying

people on the basis of race, ethnicity, color or national origin.

Connerly has argued that doing so would lead to a society in which

race matters at least less than it does now. Opponents, including

civil rights activists, say eliminating such information would hurt

efforts at fighting discrimination and make it difficult to track the

spread of diseases.

“Mr. Connerly’s prestige, as a champion of equal opportunity for

all American citizens regardless of race or sex, is universally known

across the United States,” Zippi said. “It is an honor to have his

endorsement.”

Zippi is running against Corona del Mar businesswoman Cristi

Cristich and Irvine residents Chuck DeVore and Don Wagner. They are

seeking to replace Assemblyman John Campbell, who is trying to move

to the state Senate.

Won’t stop until Oct. 8

State Sen. Ross Johnson is keeping the heat on Lt. Gov. Cruz

Bustamante.

After firing off a press release early last week asking

Bustamante, the leading Democrat in the recall race, to return

fund-raising money a judge determined was gathered illegally, Johnson

shot off a second as the week closed.

“Mr. Bustamante’s campaign consultant says the illegally raised

money has been spent, but offers no details,” Johnson said. “Mr.

Bustamante not only controls the committees, but he also serves as

treasurer. Shouldn’t he be able to provide detailed information on

how and when the money was spent?”

The $3.8 million in disputed money was raised in chunks from

$100,000 to $1.5 million from labor unions and Indian tribes.

It many ways, the release was a close echo of the first, but it

added a key line:

“Mr. Bustamante needs to know this issue isn’t going to just go

away,” Johnson said.

At least, not until Oct. 8.

Cox meets with Iraqi leader

Rep. Chris Cox met Tuesday with the leader of the Iraqi Governing

Council, a day before Ahmed Chalabi spoke before the House Policy

Committee.

Also attending the meeting was Adnan Pachachi, who will take over

Iraq’s rotating council presidency this month.

“Dr. Chalabi, Mr. Pachachi and I had a productive meeting focused

on establishing a representative, constitutional democracy in Iraq,”

Cox said. “A democratic government in Iraq that is at peace with the

Iraqi people and its neighbors will be a central building block of a

stable and free Middle East and a world free of terror.”

Cox is the chairman of the House Policy Committee.