Democrats Withhold Backing

The state Democractic Party on Saturday failed to endorse a candidate for the May 2 face-off against millionaire Republican hopeful Rob Hurtt in the 32nd Senate District special election.

Meeting in Anaheim on Saturday afternoon, party members from Region 14 did not endorse any of the four Democratic candidates--Rick Foster, Ken LeBlanc, Wayman Nelson and Linda Kay Rigney--for the district that includes Fullerton, Garden Grove and Santa Ana.

Democrats almost match the number of Republicans in the district with just 2,113 fewer registrants.

A Democrat spokesman said that by not endorsing anyone, the party stands a better chance against Hurtt, a industrialist who has contributed significantly to conservative Republican candidates and who has garnered the support of Orange County’s Republican leadership.

By offering voters more variety with the four candidates, the Democrats hope to keep Hurtt from getting 50% of the ballots. A candidate must get 50% plus one vote to be elected. Otherwise, a runoff will be held April 27.