Welcome to the Capitol craziness

John Campbell is thrust into GOP leadership battle; Costa Mesa police chief explains city’s immigration plan at forum; Van Tran’s opposition forms. Just a few weeks into his congressional career, Newport Beach Rep. John Campbell was plunged into the middle of a GOP leadership battle, sparked when Texas Rep. Tom DeLay resigned his post as House majority leader after he was indicted on money laundering charges. Campbell so far hasn’t picked a horse in the three-way race, but he said last week he’s getting up to four calls a day from colleagues hoping to direct his choice.

“As I’ve explained to the people that have called, I am the newest member of Congress, I don’t know these people very well, I don’t know their abilities or background, and I don’t know the landscape of the leadership that well,” Campbell said.

The attention has become part of Campbell’s new hectic routine since he took office the day after winning a Dec. 6 election.

“I represent fewer people today than I did six weeks ago [in the state Senate], but the focus I am receiving from friends, constituents, press, has gone up exponentially.”

Despite his novice status, Campbell plans to tackle at least one huge issue this year: a federal domestic spending limit. He pushed a cap on California’s state spending in 2005 but was disappointed when Gov. Schwarzenegger backed a softened version of the proposal, and voters rejected the measure altogether in the November 2005 statewide special election.

CHIEF ADDRESSES CONCERNS

In an effort to assuage community concerns about Costa Mesa’s immigration enforcement proposal, Costa Mesa Police Chief John Hensley made an appearance Wednesday at a Santa Ana event held by the Orange County Community Forum. Orange County Sheriff Mike Carona also came to discuss his similar proposal.

Costa Mesa leaders and county officials are working on plans to train law enforcement personnel to check the immigration status of people being investigated for serious crimes.

The forum drew about 70 people, some from advocacy groups including the League of United Latin American Citizens, Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund and the Orange County Congregational Organization, said Sheriff’s spokesman Jon Fleischman.

Hensley said one of the misconceptions he’s battling is that police will be doing immigration sweeps. He and Mayor Allan Mansoor have said Costa Mesa’s enforcement only will target people suspected of serious felonies.

Carona’s program is similar and has provoked similar questions.

“He wants to use immigration law to go after hard-core criminals the way they use tax laws to go after gangsters,” Fleischman said.

VAN TRAN’S OPPOSITION TAKES SHAPE

Now that Costa Mesa Assemblyman Van Tran is officially in the race for the 34th state Senate District, a list of hopefuls to fill is seat is shaping up. Not everyone is ready to be decisive, however.

Garden Grove City Councilwoman Janet Nguyen and Fountain Valley businessman Jim Righeimer -- both Republicans -- said shortly after Tran’s announcement they want to replace him. And dipping a toe in the pool is Garden Grove City Councilman Mark Leyes, who lost the 2004 primary to Tran.

“I’m still considering it,” Leyes said of a bid for the assembly seat.

He pointed out that he took more Costa Mesa votes than Tran in the 2004 primary, though Tran beat him by more than 14%.

NO TAKERS, YET

No candidates have yet applied to replace former Newport Beach City Councilman John Heffernan, who resigned last week, citing the need to devote more time to his family.

Heffernan won election in 2000 and 2004 to represent the city’s seventh district, which includes the Port Streets and parts of Newport Coast. The city charter says the council must appoint a replacement, who will have to run this November to win the seat until the term expires in 2008.

The outgoing councilman recommended that the council him with Dolores Otting, who lost to him by 3,125 votes in 2004. Otting said last week she intends to apply for the post.

Applicants must live in the seventh district, and applications are due by 5 p.m., Jan. 31. For more information, visit the city website, www.city.newport-beach.ca.us, or call the city clerk at (949) 644-3005.

NONSTOP CAMPAIGNING

This year’s return to a June primary -- 2004’s was in March -- apparently hasn’t encouraged anyone to take a break from campaigning. Candidates have continued to court endorsements as early as possible.

Orange County Supervisor Jim Silva on Tuesday announced he has secured the backing of the Lincoln Club of Orange County in his bid for the 67th District Assembly seat. Termed-out Huntington Beach Assemblyman Tom Harman now holds the seat, which represents nine Orange County cities including Anaheim and Garden Grove.

Orange County Treasurer John Moorlach received an early endorsement from the Orange County GOP, which rarely backs candidates before primaries. Moorlach is running for the second district county supervisor’s seat, which Silva now holds.

While the endorsement was good news, Moorlach said Wednesday he was more surprised by being named the county GOP’s elected official of the year. Though Moorlach is the only candidate for the supervisor seat, the party decided on an early endorsement because “there are employee unions that are trying to recruit a candidate to run against me, and they’re also approaching Republicans,” Moorlach said.20060119iq6d5qknDAILY PILOT(LA)Then-state-Sen. John Campbell thanks Corona del Mar High School students for listening to a speech during his campaign for federal office. Now that he’s won, he’s grappling with some in-house politics.