Johnson to step down as minority leader

Jenifer Ragland

NEWPORT BEACH -- State Sen. Ross Johnson (R-Irvine) said Thursday he will

step down as Senate Republican Leader, a political position that has

helped him score major victories for Upper Newport Bay.

Johnson told fellow senators his decision was based on personal reasons.

His wife and mother are both ill and his daughter just went through a

major back surgery, he said.

“I cannot do justice to members of my family and meet the additional and

demanding responsibilities required of the Senate Republican Leader,”

Johnson said in a statement.

The new minority leader is Sen. Jim Brulte, R-Rancho Cucamonga.

Johnson’s constituents in Newport Beach expressed both concern for the

senator’s family as well as disappointment for the loss of the leadership

position.

“Ross has been a true friend of Newport Beach for as long as he’s been in

the Senate,” said Newport Beach Deputy City Manager Dave Kiff. “We will

miss the clout he carries from his position, but that doesn’t mean he

won’t still carry a lot of clout -- just because of the person he is.”

Kiff said one of Johnson’s biggest victories for the bay was getting

about $28 million allocated in Proposition 12 -- which voters passed in

March -- for a major upcoming dredging project. Johnson also worked to

set up a “continuous appropriations” fund, which sets aside money each

year for future bay dredging.

“One of the cool things about him, is he came out and kayaked in the bay

to learn more about it,” Kiff said.

Councilman Tod Ridgeway said he was sorry to hear about Johnson’s family

difficulties, but said he doesn’t think the decision will have a major

effect on local politics.

Although he will relinquish his leadership position immediately, Johnson

made it clear that he would seek reelection to the Senate in November.

“I look forward to ... continuing to serve my Orange County

constituents,” Johnson said.

Tom Fuentes, chairman of the Republican Party of Orange County, said the

change won’t lessen the county’s voice in the State Senate.

“This is a very Johnson-esque action -- putting family and responsibility

above his own political career,” Fuentes said. “He is a very devoted

family man and is also very committed to the people of his own district,

who he will continue to represent.”

Johnson was unanimously elected to the leadership post in March 1998. He

also was the Assembly Republican Leader in the early 1990s, making him

the first legislator to serve as party leader in both houses.

He has been a member of the Legislature since 1978. If reelected, he will

be termed out of office in 2004.