THE POLITICAL LANDSCAPE:The election of endorsements

As the November election draws closer, it’s all about endorsements for the candidates — and this year, more so than ever, with the GOP getting involved in “nonpartisan” races.

While it’s not clear how directly voters are influenced by endorsements, this may have been a hand-wringing week for some of Newport-Mesa’s incumbent City Council members.

The Costa Mesa Police Assn. on Tuesday dissed Mayor Allan Mansoor, instead endorsing opponents Bruce Garlich and Mike Scheafer, and the Newport Beach Police Employees Assn. said it will back challengers over incumbents in council districts 4 and 6.

The Newport endorsements went to Michael Henn in District 1, where incumbent Tod Ridgeway is termed out; Barbara Venezia rather than Councilwoman Leslie Daigle in District 4; District 5 Councilman Ed Selich; Councilman Dick Nichols’ opponent Nancy Gardner in District 6; and Councilman Keith Curry in District 7. Mayor Don Webb is running unopposed, so no endorsement was given in his district, No. 3.

The Orange County Chapter of Democracy for America also recently announced its endorsement of Democratic congressional candidates Jim Brandt, who is challenging Huntington Beach Rep. Dana Rohrabacher; Steve Young, running against Newport Beach Rep. John Campbell; Paul Lucas, Democratic challenger of Costa Mesa Republican Assemblyman Van Tran; and Costa Mesa City Council candidate Mirna Burciaga.

And Monday night, the Orange County GOP central committee voted to endorse Wendy Leece for Costa Mesa City Council, and Selich and candidate Jack Wu for Newport Beach City Council seats. The party also supported Gary Monahan, Bob Ooten and Arlene Shafer for Costa Mesa Sanitary District seats.

CHALLENGE TO MEASURE X LANGUAGE DROPPED

Measure X proponent Phil Arst said Wednesday he dropped his legal challenge to the ballot language the city of Newport Beach wrote for his initiative. In a suit filed in August, Arst argued the city’s description of Measure X was confusing and would mislead voters. The measure would require public votes on some development projects.

His attorney last week asked to dismiss the case, Arst said.

“We’re beyond the period where the ballot can be changed, so it’s a useless exercise at this point,” he said.

The Orange County Registrar of Voters required ballot materials to be turned in by Aug. 31 so absentee ballots could be printed on time.

EARMARKING FOLLOW-UP

As a follow-up to the report two weeks ago in this space about Newport Beach Rep. John Campbell’s fight against congressional earmarks, the House last week passed the proposed new rule requiring members to disclose earmarks in bills. In his weekly e-mailed newsletter, Campbell noted the change, but added that apparently it will require further — if not eternal — vigilance: The rule expires at the end of this year and will have to be renewed in 2007.

By the way, although the total number of earmarks requested has dropped over the last year, the average number of earmarks requested per member for 2007 was about 50, according to an April article in Congressional Quarterly. By comparison, Campbell’s request for seven earmarks for local projects seems rather measly.

NEW COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR FOR ROHRABACHER

As of this week, Rohrabacher has a new communications director. After two years with the congressman, Rebecca Rudman recently went back to work for Corona Rep. Ken Calvert, for whom she worked before and whose district she’s from.

Taking over for Rudman is Tara Setmayer, a former political commentator and analyst for major news networks including NPR, CNN and Fox News.

“I was on Bill Maher four times as a conservative voice,” said Setmayer. “There aren’t that many minority, conservative, female commentators.”

She’s also worked for lobbyists and nonprofit groups, but this is her first job in a congressional office.

Setmayer wanted to work with Rohrabacher because, “He’s a true believer, and he’s on the forefront of many conservative issues that I believe strongly in,” such as immigration and border security, she said.

With 10 bills set to come to the House floor by the end of the month, she’ll be busy.

She said she doesn’t surf — yet — but added, “that was a prerequisite of my hiring. I had to learn.”