REPUBLICAN PRIMARY

Rep. Dana Rohrabacher is headed back to the general election this fall, after easily defending his seat in the 46th Congressional District this week, crushing dark horse challenger Ron St. John.

In an election with no statewide candidates and a 17% turnout for Orange County, Rohrabacher trounced St. John 25,905 (87.4%) to 3,729 (12.6%), respectively, in the final count.

Rohrabacher called his turnout numbers a good sign for the general election against Mayor Debbie Cook.

“I received about twice as many votes as the Democratic nominee,” he said. “For every one vote she got from the voters, I got two. I thought that was a relatively significant number for those people fooling themselves into thinking this is a competitive district.”

Rohrabacher said he was feeling good about his chances but wouldn’t sleepwalk through the campaign.

“I’m confident but I am not taking it for granted,” he said. “We have a very attractive candidate on the other side and someone who’s got a title. She’s very articulate in the advocacy of her positions. However her positions are far too liberal for this district.”

St. John said he wasn’t disappointed by the result; rather, he said he was glad he had the chance to communicate his views.

“My goal is not so much about winning a particular election as it is about trying to get the message across,” he said.

“It’s the message of free trade and the value that immigration brings to our country. It’s still a campaign I feel I am a part of in terms of winning the hearts and minds of the Republican party and in general.”

Despite his differences with Rohrabacher on immigration, St. John said he would be glad to support him in the fall.

Republican voters coming out of polls overwhelmingly said they favored the two-decade Congressman, though their reasons varied. All said Rohrabacher’s positions and record were far more familiar to them than that of upstart St. John, a Huntington Beach property rights lawyer who took a softer line on immigration issues than Rohrabacher.

Huntington Beach resident Steve Magro said that while he wasn’t thrilled with Rohrabacher, the incumbent hadn’t done anything to merit a repudiation.

St. John, on the other hand, hadn’t attracted enough attention to make him feel comfortable.

“He ain’t done anything bad,” he said. “Not that I find him that impressive. As for this St. John character, I never saw a piece of mail, never heard any advertisement.

“If you don’t care about the nomination, why should I vote for you?”

Some had warmer words for Rohrabacher, saying they preferred his positions.

“He supports our troops, and I like his straight talk,” resident Tracy Smithson said. “Of course I want him back.”

Asked about St. John, she replied, “Who is that guy, anyway?”

RESULTS

DANA ROHRABACHER

87.4%

RON ST. JOHN

12.6%

MICHAEL ALEXANDER may be reached at (714) 966-4618 or at michael.alexander@latimes.com.