Crean considering a run for Cox’s seat

S.J. Cahn

NEWPORT BEACH -- Could it be a case of Mr. Crean going to Washington?

John Crean, the Santa Ana Heights retired RV tycoon and one of the

city’s leading philanthropists, said Friday he is considering a

self-financed run for Congress if Rep. Christopher Cox (R-Newport Beach)

leaves office to take a federal judgeship.

“It would be kind of a fun thing to take a shot at something like

that,” he said. “If anyone would want a 75-year-old Congressman.”

Speculation about who might succeed Cox started late this week after

word came out of Washington that Cox is one of President Bush’s picks to

fill vacant seats on the influential U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Cox and his office are not commenting on the rumor. With no official

offer having been made, it now stands as just the latest in a string of

times when the fifth-ranking House Republican’s name has been linked to

even bigger positions.

Just months ago, after Bush won the presidency, Cox’s name was

attached to several Cabinet positions and other high-level appointments.

At that time, Crean said, “several pretty important people,” whom he

declined to name, approached him about running to replace Cox.

So far, no one has directly asked him this time, said Crean, who spent

several years as the sidekick to Barbara Venezia in the campy cooking

show, “At Home on the Range.”

He said he would finance his own campaign, jokingly asking who else

would pay for him to run.

“I wouldn’t spend very much, though,” he said with a laugh. “I don’t

think it’s worth very much.”

Crean knows the kind of fight he would be getting into, describing the

possible race as a “melee.”

Other big-name Republicans who are expressing interest in the position

include former Rep. Jim Rogan of Glendale, who lost his seat last fall

after being targeted as one of the leaders of the House impeachment trial

against former President Clinton.

Possible Orange County hopefuls include Supervisor Todd Spitzer and

Assemblyman Bill Campbell (R-Villa Park).

At least one of the other names buzzing around political circles as a

possible candidate to fill the seat is just buzz, however.

Assemblyman John Campbell (R-Irvine) said Friday that, while he had

received a few calls following the reports about Cox, he has no intention

of jumping into what promises to be a crowded field.

“I’m new in this job, and I think I have a job to do here,” said

Campbell, who was elected in November for the first time. “I think I best

serve my constituents and the state by staying here, at least for now.”

Campbell added that it is important for the Republicans in California

to keep elected officials in the state to strengthen both the party’s

political and policy stances.

Another name with Newport-Mesa ties being mentioned is state Sen. Ross

Johnson (R-Irvine).

Johnson and his spokeswoman were unavailable for comment Friday.