NEWS IN BRIEF

The political action committee of the Airport Working Group, which

supports the creation of an airport at the former El Toro Marine Corps

Air Station, on Monday released its list of candidate endorsements for

the Newport Beach and Costa Mesa City Council races.

The list has the unusual feature of including two endorsements for the

same race, the 7th district in Newport Beach. Both incumbent Tom Thomson

and former City Manager Bob Wynn have the group’s backing.

Barbara Lichman, chairwoman of the committee, explained that both

candidates were included because on the issue that matters to her group,

both men have strengths.

“Tom Thomson in his role as an incumbent has been helpful to us, but

we think also that Bob Wynn has a lot of qualities that would be helpful

to the city,” Lichman said.

Also endorsed were Newport candidates Steve Bromberg and Gary Proctor

and Costa Mesa candidates incumbent Heather Somers, Tom Sutro and Chris

Steele.

The group considered four factors in its decision: knowledge of

Newport Beach aviation issues, commitment to opposing expansion of John

Wayne Airport, support for an airport at El Toro and perceived competence

at achieving airport-related goals.

Lichman noted that candidates’ stances on other city issues were not

part of the group’s consideration.

“Our criteria are exclusively aimed at airport-related issues,” she

said.