Steiner Top Fund-Raiser in 67th Assembly Race

SANTA ANA — Orange Councilman William G. Steiner, Republican front-runner in a special election to replace former Assemblyman John Lewis (R-Orange), leads some of his top opponents in fund raising, according to financial documents released Friday.

The first campaign finance reports for the July 23 special election showed that Steiner has spent about $48,000, nearly three times as much as Mickey Conroy, another leading Republican contender from Santa Ana.

Gregory Robert Ramsay, the only Democrat in the race, reported a total of $730 in contributions.

Four other Republican candidates had not filed their finance reports by Friday. They are former Tustin councilman John Kelly, Villa Park Councilman Hal Saldarini, Tustin businessman Bill Earl and Tustin educator Tracey Gaffey.

Republican officials have predicted this race would be a showdown between Steiner and Conroy, both backed by key county leaders.

Steiner has announced support from all five county supervisors, all the mayors of cities in the Assembly district and state Sen. Marian Bergeson (R-Newport Beach).

Conroy is backed by Assemblyman Gil Ferguson (R-Newport Beach) and Rep. Robert K. Dornan (R-Garden Grove).

The 67th Assembly District, one of the most heavily Republican in California, includes Silverado Canyon in the east and Tustin, Orange and parts of Santa Ana and El Toro.