‘Reagan Democrat’ enters race against Rep. Dana Rohrabacher

Orange County Register (CA)

July 07--The Buzz is the Register's weekly political news column.

Plenty of candidates talk of transcending partisan labels, but you'll be hard-pressed to find someone making a stronger case than Omar Siddiqui.

The latest Democrat to join a now seven-candidate field challenging Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, R-Costa Mesa, was a Republican until 2009 and describes himself as a Reagan Democrat.

While his law firm has been based in Costa Mesa for 14 years, he lives in Fullerton -- well outside the coastal district he'd like to represent. One reason he isn't running in his own district is he thinks the Republican House representative there is doing a good job.

"I find Congressman Ed Royce to be an exceptional representative," said Siddiqui, a 45-year-old Muslim who has worked with the FBI and CIA to build bridges with the Islamic community in the region. "I know him and his great staff. For my work with the FBI and the FBI Citizens Academy, Congressman Royce honored me with Certificates of Congressional Recognition ... My family and I have voted for Congressman Royce for years."

Siddiqui, the son of Pakistani immigrants and a Fullerton native, cites his law firm's roots -- and client base -- in Rohrabacher's 48th Congressional District as well as his work with the FBI in the district.

"I spend every day, in to the wee-hours of the night, here," he said. "CD48 to me is what Gotham City is to Batman."

He says it's time for fresh leadership in the district. He points out that the 15-term incumbent has been "somewhat controversial with his ties to Russia" -- a reference to critics of Rohrabacher's outspoken desire for friendlier relations with the country, a warning to the congressman from the FBI that the Russians were trying to recruit him as a spy, and Rohrabacher's relationship with former Donald Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort, who'd done business in Ukraine on behalf of a pro-Russian political party.

Beyond that, Siddiqui is reluctant to criticize Rohrabacher -- or President Trump, for that matter.

"It's time the Democrats to stop blaming Trump for their woes," he said. "We should come together and support our president. At this point in our history, we need unity. ... I disagree with a lot that President Trump has done but I don't think we can focus the next 3 1/2 years on what President Trump hasn't done."

Siddiqui parts ways with the president on key issues of climate change, the travel ban and health care. He sides with most House Democrats on those topics, as well as on abortion rights, gender equality and LGBTQ rights. But he says he has more in common with Republicans when it comes to taxes, business interests, economic growth, energy policy and gun control.

Siddiqui, who earned a B.S. and M.S. in engineering from USC before getting his law degree from Loyola Law School, said his life goal has been to be a renaissance man and points to Leonardo Da Vinci and Benjamin Franklin as models.

He spoke with pride about getting to know President Barack Obama, whom he first met at a fundraiser, and fired FBI Director James Comey, whom he met through his work with the FBI. Comey awarded him an FBI Director's Leadership Award and offered encouragement when Siddiqui said he was considering a congressional bid, Siddiqui said.

Republicans have a 11-percentage point advantage in the district's voter registration, down from 15.5 points in 2012 but still a considerable edge. Nearly a quarter of the district's voters are independents. Of the six Democratic candidates so far, Siddiqui is the third who was once a Republican.

That GOP background could prove an asset in a general election against Rohrabacher, particularly for a candidate like Siddiqui who still wears some Republican tendencies proudly. But it could be a handicap in winning the Democratic votes needed to advance out of the primary.

Money game

One key to separating the contenders from the pretenders in this and Orange County's other three GOP House districts will be fundraising. All candidates, including the 15 Democrats in the races so far, must submit semiannual financial reports by July 15, though some of the stronger candidates are already releasing their numbers.

In Rohrabacher's district, real estate businessman Harley Rouda said he had "well over" $300,000 raised, including a $56,000 loan. Airline pilot Tony Zarkades, the only other Democrat in the race to offer an early glimpse at his treasury, said he had raised about $1,500. Siddiqui didn't start fundraising until after the filing period's end on June 30.

In the two-Democrat race against Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Vista, environmental lawyer Mike Levin announced he's raised an impressive $617,000 so far, with no loans. Fellow Democratic challenger Doug Applegate numbers were not available.

In the challenge of Rep. Mimi Walters, R-Laguna Beach, there are six Democrats and the four disclosing their latest finances all have significant accounts. UCI law Prof. Katie Porter reported raising more than $310,000, fellow UCI law Prof. Dave Min said he had $302,000, former congressional aide Kia Hamadanchy estimated he had $200,000 and businessman Ron Varasteh said he had about $260,000 -- although $250,000 of that was a loan.

In the two-Democrat challenge of Rep. Ed Royce, R-Fullerton, pediatrician Mai Khanh Tran said she had raised $281,000 and former chemistry Prof. Phil Janowicz said he had $180,000.

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