Moorlach Ponders Bid for State Treasurer’s Post

SANTA ANA —  Treasurer-Tax Collector John M.W. Moorlach, who rose to prominence by questioning Orange County’s investment practices months before its 1994 bankruptcy, is considering a run for state treasurer.

Moorlach said he will meet with advisors and political supporters over the weekend and could make a final decision by next week.

The current state treasurer, Matt Fong, has announced he will run for the U.S. Senate in 1998 and not seek another term. Moorlach said he began seriously considering a run last week when state Sen. Jim Brulte (R-Rancho Cucamonga) told him he would not seek the treasurer’s job.

“It’s something that definitely interests me,” Moorlach said Thursday. “But there are several issues I still have to consider.”

A top concern, Moorlach said, is whether he can raise the more than $1 million he believes he’ll need to run a statewide primary campaign. Moorlach said he also wants to size up other potential candidates.

“Will Matt Fong change his mind? Will a millionaire jump into the race and be able to throw a lot of money around?” he said. “These are things we need to consider.”

Moorlach raised concerns about the risky investment practices of former county treasurer Robert L. Citron during an unsuccessful challenge for the office in June 1994.

Though Moorlach lost the race, he was hailed as a soothsayer after Citron’s risky investments plunged the county into bankruptcy that December. He was appointed county treasurer in early 1995 and was overwhelmingly elected to the post last year.