Cristich is confident

Paul Clinton

As a moderate, Cristi Cristich likes her chances to win the

Republican nomination next March to represent Newport Beach in the

70th Assembly District.

The Corona del Mar resident has even secured the endorsement of

Marilyn Brewer, who held the almost identical seat from 1994 to 2000.

“With the current environment, there’s never been more opportunity

in the party,” Cristich said. “There’s room for all types of

Republicans.”

Cristich joins an ever-expanding field of candidates seeking the

seat. The winner would replace John Campbell, who has held the seat

since 2000. Campbell is vying with Assemblyman Ken Maddox (R-Costa

Mesa) for a state Senate seat.

Newport Beach City Council candidate Marianne Zippi, who lost to

Councilman Tod Ridgeway in November, is the only other local

candidate in a primary set for a year from now. Irvine City Council

candidate Chuck DeVore and Irvine businessman Don Wagner are also in

the race.

Cristich, 41, is positioning herself as a Brewer-type candidate.

She’s pro-business, pro-choice and in favor of no new taxes.

Cristich has been an active GOP fund-raiser for the past few

years, most recently raising local funds to help elect Bonnie Garcia

to the Assembly in the Palm Desert area.

The Corona del Mar resident started her own business, at age 23,

in the mid-1980s. Using a $20,000 loan from a friend, Cristich began

Cristek Interconnects Inc., a supplier of high-tech electronic

devices used in missiles, heart monitors and other devices.

She has served as president of a womens’ trade group, the National

Assn. of Women Business Owners. In that post, she found herself in

Sacramento lobbying legislators for various issues, which taught her

the political process.

Cristich has nailed down a handful of notable nominations,

including Supervisor Jim Silva, Senate Majority Leader Jim Brulte,

Brewer and former local state Senator Marian Bergeson.

UC Irvine Political Science Chair Mark Petracca agrees that

Cristich could make a solid claim for the seat, if she has any of

Brewer’s success. Brewer successfully won office against two more

conservative candidates, splitting a more conservative vote.

“[Brewer] showed that it is possible for a moderate woman

candidate to win in the state’s second most Republican district,”

Petracca said. “She’s not conservative enough, but can win if there’s

multiple conservatives in the race.”

* PAUL CLINTON covers the environment, business and politics. He

may be reached at (949) 764-4330 or by e-mail at

paul.clinton@latimes.com.