Zippi zipping along in fund-raising

Paul Clinton

Assembly candidate Marianne Zippi has stepped up her fund-raising

pace in the final days before the state deadline for campaign finance

reporting.

Candidates for state office must report all the funds they have

raised during the first six months of the year by today.

Since kicking off her campaign in late June, Zippi has held at

least two other fund-raisers. After raising $20,000 at her June 24

dinner, Zippi said she has raised several thousand dollars in

additional funds.

On Sunday, Zippi held a private dinner in Newport Beach that was

attended by former USC Trojan running-back Anthony Davis. In a game

against Notre Dame in 1972, Davis famously scored six touchdowns to

lead his team to a 45-23 victory. Davis played three seasons in the

NFL, from 1977 to 1979, with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Houston Oilers

and Los Angeles Rams.

The event was held from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Lido Isle home of

Willis and Judith Longyear. About 70 guests attended, Zippi said.

Other fund-raisers are scheduled for today and Aug. 14.

Rohrabacher joins Falun Gong demonstration

During a mock-trial demonstration at the West Front of the Capitol

in Washington, members of the Falun Gong religious group protested

what they claim to be brutal repression under the Communist regime in

China once led by former President Jiang Zemin.

The demonstration, held June 23, drew legislators, including Rep.

Dana Rohrabacher, who sides with the group.

“Followers of the Falun Gong just want to peacefully meditate and

do their exercises,” Rohrabacher said after the event. “Why on earth

do we grant Most Favored Nations trading status to a country that

imprisons, tortures and executes people who only wish to be left

alone to practice their faith.”

During the demonstration, the group criticized China’s former

leader and showed a videotape calling into question the Chinese

government’s airing of footage that purportedly showed a group member

immolating himself. The group denies the charge, saying the footage

either misrepresents their views or is fake.

N.Y. representative to stop by Balboa Bay Club

Rohrabacher is also co-sponsoring a breakfast for Rep. Tom

Reynolds (R-N.Y.) in Newport Beach. Reynolds is scheduled to speak at

the Balboa Bay Club & Resort on Aug. 5.

The 7:30 a.m. breakfast has been scheduled to coincide with

Reynolds’ appearance. The event is also being sponsored by the

National Republican Congressional Committee.

For more information, call (202) 479-7071.

Costa Mesa pollster checks out supervisor race

A Costa Mesa GOP pollster has released a tally showing that

Assemblyman Lou Correa (D-Santa Ana) is the leading candidate to

replace Supervisor Chuck Smith in March.

If the election were held today, which of the four candidates

would get your vote? Adam Probolsky asked 300 voters in the district.

Correa gained 23%; Westminster Councilman Kermit Marsh got 13.7%;

Garden Grove Mayor Bruce Broadwater pulled 11%; and Santa Ana

Councilman Brett Franklin secured 9.7%. Another 42.6% said they were

“unsure” about who they would vote for.

Probolsky conducted the poll on July 22 and 23. He reported a

5.77% error either way.

Supervisor Jim Silva represents Costa Mesa and most of Newport

Beach in the 2nd District. Smith holds the 1st District seat.