Beall Wants RSM to Know About Brough for Assembly

Some of the heavy hitters in Rancho Santa Margarita's past elections for city councils are playing the good hosts on Friday for a candidate for the 73rd Assembly District seat that will go before voters in 2014. 

Although current RSM councilman Jesse Petrilla is running for the seat, it's not for him. It is instead a fundraising reception for Bill Brough.

Tony Beall is one of four current or former mayors of RSM serving in the host capacity. Others include current Mayor Pro Tem Carol Gamble, and former mayors Gary Thompson and Neil Blais. Brad McGirr, who is seeking reelection as a councilman in RSM, is also acting as one of five hosts. 

The event is Friday, 5 p.m., at Rancho Santa Margarita Honda. Various levels of contributions, including $25 for veterans and RSM chamber of commerce members, can be found at Brough's website, and an RSVP is requested. However, local residents can RSVP to Beall at tonybeall@cox.net to attend free as his guest.

The reception is somewhat significant on the local level because two current city councilman announced their candidacy for the same seat Brough is seeking, Petrilla and Steve Baric. The latter has since dropped from the race. 

"Meet Bill and see for yourself why we all believe Bill Brough is the absolute best candidate to represent the City of Rancho Santa Margarita and South Orange County in Sacramento," Beall said in an announcement. "We each are committed to ensuring that RSM always remains the best possible city to raise your family and operate your business, and we believe Bill Brough is the best possible candidate."

Beall openly endorses Brough, a councilman in Dana Point and former chief of staff of current Assembly representative Diane Harkey. McGirr said earlier this week that "it's too early" for him to endorse anyone, "but the event is in my city and I'm happy to be a host."

Other candidates for the seat vacated by Harkey, who has termed out of the position, include former Laguna Niguel mayor Paul Glaab, Capistrano Unified School District Board Trustee Anna Bryson, and Irvine Valley College professor and attorney Wendy B. Gabriella.