Nichols loses GOP support due to remarks

IRVINE — Comments that Newport Beach City Councilman Dick Nichols made in 2003 about “Mexicans” cost him the support of the Orange County GOP on Monday.

The county Republican party’s central committee unanimously voted not to endorse Nichols’ reelection at a meeting at the Irvine Hyatt.

Nichols was elected to the council in 2002 to represent a district that includes Corona del Mar.

In an interview with the Daily Pilot in 2003, Nichols said he opposed adding more grass at Corona del Mar State Beach because “with grass we usually get Mexicans coming in there early in the morning and they claim it as theirs, and it becomes their personal, private grounds all day.”

That comment provoked a firestorm of criticism and media attention, a citizen-backed effort to recall Nichols and calls from his resignation from council colleagues.

It also wasn’t the only such remark Nichols has been chastised for, but GOP central committee members said Monday the 2003 comment was the one that made them decide not to offer Nichols the party’s endorsement in his reelection.

“He is either a racist or he just talks like one, but you can’t be either and get the stamp of approval of our Republican party,” GOP central committee member Adam Probolsky said. “I don’t use those words lightly, because the stink of racism you can’t wash off easily.”

Nichols did not attend Monday’s meeting and did not return calls before or after the meeting.

Probolsky, who in July pulled Nichols’ name off the list for early party endorsements, said Nichols had plenty of opportunities to apologize or explain what he said, but he never did.

Nichols was elected to a central committee seat in June. Probolsky said although Nichols has not broken any of the committee bylaws, he will try to keep Nichols from taking the seat.

Michael Schroeder, who chairs the county GOP endorsement committee and is one of Nichols’ Corona del Mar constituents, said he found Nichols’ comments “embarrassing.” Schroeder also opposes Nichols’ support of the slow-growth “Greenlight” group, but the “Mexican” remark was a big concern, he said.

“I can’t look into someone’s heart and know whether they’re a racist or not, but I think it’s fair to judge them on their public comments that they made,” Schroeder said.

It’s unclear how much not getting the party endorsement will hurt Nichols’ reelection bid, but he may be in trouble on his home turf as well.

Some of his constituents have complained that he doesn’t support their interests, and he raised some hackles in June with a plan to add more driving lanes on Coast Highway — where Corona del Mar business and community leaders want a pedestrian-friendly atmosphere.

The “Mexican” comment is “just one of the issues surrounding Dick and his representation,” said Chip Stassel, a past president of the Corona del Mar Chamber of Commerce.

“There’s no allegiance to his constituencies.”