Bush opens office in Newport Beach

Greg Risling

NEWPORT BEACH -- Republican presidential candidate George W. Bush opened

one of two regional headquarters on Irvine Avenue on Wednesday in

preparation for the state’s March 7 primary.

Bush, the 53-year-old governor of Texas, was aided by fellow Republican

Rep. Christopher Cox (R-Newport Beach) in locating a suitable office deep

in the heart of GOP country.

“It made sense to have an office where there is a central grass-roots

effort for the Republican party,” said Margita Thompson, a Bush campaign

spokesperson. “It will be a hub for hundreds of volunteers and a portal

to most of the Southland.”

The new headquarters on Irvine Avenue is the second office Bush has

established in California. The other location was opened last July on

Wilshire Boulevard in Brentwood. Only two other states, New Hampshire and

South Carolina, have more than one campaign office, signaling Bush’s

intent to make a strong push toward the California primary.

“Opening an Orange County headquarters shows more of Gov. Bush’s

determination to carry the Golden State,” said Gerald Parsky, the state’s

campaign chair for the Bush camp.

Overseeing the Orange County operation will be William Brough, a former

Cox staffer in Washington, D.C. He was instrumental in finding an office

in what is considered a Republican stronghold. Brough also worked for the

Bob Dole presidential campaign in 1996.

No one was around at the Irvine Avenue suite Thursday, but organizers

expect the headquarters will be opened more often as the primary draws

closer. A look inside the window revealed neatly stacked campaign signs

and wooden stakes, a large supply of mailing envelopes and a giant banner

on the wall that says “Caring for America is electing George Bush

president.”

While Bush has fired a volley over the GOP gangplank, candidate and

billionaire Steve Forbes established a presence with his Irvine office

late last year.

Tom Fuentes, chairman of the county’s Republican party, welcomes the

addition of Bush and any other candidates willing to try their hand in

Orange County.

“It’s particularly positive if any and all candidates open campaign

headquarters here because it will stir energy,” Fuentes said. “Campaigns

usually have to have a physical presence to draw volunteers. Bush’s

public profile to date here in the county has been primarily

money-oriented.”