Kaitlyn Schallhorn – Orange County Register

Orange High celebrates Marine Corps 248th birthday

Kaitlyn Schallhorn — Fri, 10 Nov 2023 00:08:10 +0000

On the U.S. Marine Corps‘ 248th birthday, members of Orange High’s Marine Corps JROTC program marched as a unit over to a celebratory luncheon.

Colonel Mark Tully leads Orange High School Marine Corps JROTC cadets as they march from the school to the Elks Club for a luncheon to honor the Marine Corps 248th Birthday in Orange, CA, on Thursday, November 9, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Orange High School Marine Corps JROTC cadets get ready for the Elks Club luncheon to honor the Marine Corps 248th Birthday in Orange, CA, on Thursday, November 9, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Orange High School Marine Corps JROTC Private First Class Thomas Sotelo stands at the door to the Elks Club as his fellow cadets arrive for a luncheon to honor the Marine Corps 248th Birthday in Orange, CA, on Thursday, November 9, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A birthday cake for the Elks Club luncheon to honor the Marine Corps 248th Birthday in Orange, CA, on Thursday, November 9, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Orange High School Marine Corps JROTC cadets march from the school to the Elks Club for a luncheon to honor the Marine Corps 248th Birthday in Orange, CA, on Thursday, November 9, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Colonel Mark Tully leads Orange High School Marine Corps JROTC cadets as they march from the school to the Elks Club for a luncheon to honor the Marine Corps 248th Birthday in Orange, CA, on Thursday, November 9, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Orange High School Marine Corps JROTC cadets march from the school to the Elks Club for a luncheon to honor the Marine Corps 248th Birthday in Orange, CA, on Thursday, November 9, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Orange High School Marine Corps JROTC Private Elizabeth Stewart stands at the door to the Elks Club during a luncheon to honor the Marine Corps 248th Birthday in Orange, CA, on Thursday, November 9, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Orange High School Marine Corps JROTC cadets march from the school to the Elks Club for a luncheon to honor the Marine Corps 248th Birthday in Orange, CA, on Thursday, November 9, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Orange High School Marine Corps JROTC cadets get ready for the Elks Club luncheon to honor the Marine Corps 248th Birthday in Orange, CA, on Thursday, November 9, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Orange High School Marine Corps JROTC cadets march from the school to the Elks Club for a luncheon to honor the Marine Corps 248th Birthday in Orange, CA, on Thursday, November 9, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Orange High School Marine Corps JROTC Private First Class Thomas Sotelo stands at the door to the Elks Club as his fellow cadets arrive for a luncheon to honor the Marine Corps 248th Birthday in Orange, CA, on Thursday, November 9, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Corporal Mark Wayland arrives at the Elks Club for luncheon to honor the Marine Corps 248th Birthday in Orange, CA, on Thursday, November 9, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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As in years past, the cadets marched in uniform about three-quarters of a mile from their school to the Elks Club on East Chapman Avenue for the birthday celebration where local officials met them. There, they helped carry out the ceremony and provided the color guard.

Col. Mark Tull and Master Sgt. Carlos Mata — both retired Marines who are instructors with the ROTC program — also assisted with the afternoon’s events.

The JROTC program helps students learn leadership skills and build character in and out of the classroom, the school says. According to Orange High, it is designed to help students become ready for college.

The Marine Corps was established on Nov. 10, 1775, to aid in the Revoluntary War.

Check out these new, ‘profound’ exhibits at Bowers this fall

Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Jeff Gritchen — Mon, 23 Oct 2023 16:13:59 +0000

Two new exhibits are debuting at the Bowers Museum — with one exploring the impacts of photography and the other showcasing the works of artist Katsushika Hokusai through various mediums.

“The Power of Photography,” curated by Peter Fetterman, includes 73 original prints and is on display now through Jan. 14 at the Santa Ana museum.

“From the bizarre Boschian fantasies of Melvin Sokolsky to the haunting humanity of Edward Weston’s portraits, from rare interior shots by famed nude photographer Ruth Bernhard to Steve McCurry’s ‘Afghan Girl,’ one of the most recognizable photographs ever taken, this exhibition gathers some of the most unique and heartening photographs from the 20th century,” the exhibit’s description says.

‘The Great Wave’ part of the exhibit Beyond the Great Wave: Works by Hokusai from the British Museum, at Bowers Museum in Santa Ana, CA, on Friday, October 20, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The exhibit Beyond the Great Wave: Works by Hokusai from the British Museum, at Bowers Museum in Santa Ana, CA, on Friday, October 20, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A photo of Abraham Lincoln, taken in 1860, hangs in The Power of Photography exhibit at Bowers Museum in Santa Ana, CA, on Friday, October 20, 2023. The exhibit features more than 70 original prints curated by galleriest Peter Fetterman. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A visitors to Bowers Museum checks out The Power of Photography exhibit at Bowers Museum in Santa Ana, CA, on Friday, October 20, 2023. The exhibit features more than 70 original prints curated by galleriest Peter Fetterman. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Anne Shih, chairwoman of the board at Bowers Museum, introduces two new exhibits – The Power of Photograph and Beyond the Great Wave: Works by Hokusai from the British Museum, in Santa Ana, CA, on Friday, October 20, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Steve McCurry’s ‘Afghan Girl’ hang in The Power of Photography exhibit at Bowers Museum in Santa Ana, CA, on Friday, October 20, 2023. The exhibit features more than 70 original prints curated by galleriest Peter Fetterman. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The exhibit Beyond the Great Wave: Works by Hokusai from the British Museum, at Bowers Museum in Santa Ana, CA, on Friday, October 20, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The exhibit Beyond the Great Wave: Works by Hokusai from the British Museum, at Bowers Museum in Santa Ana, CA, on Friday, October 20, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Sean O’Harrow, president and chief executive of Bowers Museum, announces the opening of two new exhibits – The Power of Photograph and Beyond the Great Wave: Works by Hokusai from the British Museum, in Santa Ana, CA, on Friday, October 20, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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The iconic images are expected to take visitors on a journey exploring how photography impacts the world and shines light on the human experience, according to the museum. The photos are accompanied by Fetterman’s words as well.

And then there’s “Beyond the Great Wave: Works by Hokusai from the British Museum,” an exhibit featuring more than 100 paintings, drawings and woodblock prints, including a preserved early example of “The Great Wave,” by Hokusai. This exhibit runs through Jan. 7.

“These artworks provide insights into his early career, rise to fame, fascination with the natural and supernatural realms, personal life, and his quest for immortality through his art,” an exhibit description says. “Hokusai’s creations stand distinct from the art of his Japanese contemporaries, characterized by an intensely individual, subjective, energized, and sublime style, promising a powerfully emotional and spiritual experience to all who attend.”

“The Great Wave off Kanagawa” depicts three boats navigating the sea, with a large wave cresting. It’s considered to be possibly the most famous artwork in Japanese history.

And if that’s the piece you’re most excited to see, you’re not alone. Seán O’Harrow, the new president and CEO of Bowers, said in August that “The Great Wave” was the art piece he’d most like to bring to the museum.

And now it — and the photography exhibit — are the first two opened at Bowers under his leadership.

Calling the piece “one of the most iconic images in the history of art around the world,” O’Harrow on Friday also noted it had a personal connection for him. O’Harrow grew up in Honolulu where he said he was also immersed in Japanese art.

“For me, it makes me feel at home,” he said.

“The Power of Photography,” O’Harrow said, is “profound.’

“It’s one of the few exhibitions that I’ve been to where you can’t pass any one because there’s a reason for everything,” O’Harrow said.

Former Dodgers star Steve Garvey launches bid for US Senate

Kaitlyn Schallhorn — Tue, 10 Oct 2023 12:55:23 +0000

Former Dodgers star Steve Garvey made his foray into the crowded U.S. Senate race official Tuesday morning, launching a bid as a Republican.

For Garvey, who played 14 seasons with the Dodgers before he finished with the San Diego Padres for five seasons, a move into the political arena isn’t much of a curveball. He’s advocated for fitness-related bills in Washington and considered a political career right after his retirement from baseball in 1987, though he was sidetracked by issues in his personal life for a while.

But Garvey says it’s the increased animosity in politics, “the bickering back and forth” among politicians, that made him finally take the plunge.

“All through these years, I’ve had this wonderful life, but I’ve always been interested in politics,” Garvey, 74, said in an interview ahead of the announcement.

“The last few years, I’ve been more and more concerned about what’s happening in our society and the quality of our life and the dysfunction of Washington,” said Garvey. “I’ve got to stand up if there’s a way to actually run and be heard, and I think there is.”

So he’s running, Garvey said, to bring “a fresh voice with fresh ideas” to represent California.

Former major league baseball infielder Steve Garvey speaks during the annual Lifepath banquet at the Holiday Inn Conference Center in Upper Macungie Twp. on Wednesday, November 21, 2018. With the Los Angeles Dodgers, Garvey played in 1,727 games over 14 seasons. He is jumping into the U.S. Senate race in California for the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s seat. (Harry Fisher / The Morning Call)

Garvey helped lead the Dodgers to the World Series four times and was one of the stars of their 1981 championship; he also led the Padres to their first World Series appearance in 1984. He was part of a Dodgers infield that remained together for a record 8 1/2 seasons, was a 10-time All-Star and was selected as the National League’s Most Valuable Player in 1974.

During his career, especially his time with the Dodgers, few would’ve been shocked if he eventually ran for office. But the immaculate image he maintained for much of his career was shattered by revelations of multiple affairs, children he fathered, a rather public divorce and strained-at-best relationships with his first two children. He receded from the spotlight for a long time after seemingly living in it for much of the 1970s and ’80s.

Much of the attention to that part of his life has faded, though, and he’s mainly remembered as a Southern California baseball great.

And after Sen. Dianne Feinstein — who died in late September — said early this year she wouldn’t run for re-election in 2024, Garvey started talking with consultants about a possible run and acknowledged that in June.

Since Feinstein’s announcement — and even a bit before — several candidates clamored early to announce bids for the seat.

On the Democratic side, that includes Reps. Barbara Lee of Oakland, Katie Porter of Irvine and Adam Schiff of Burbank as well as former tech executive Lexi Reese.

It’s not yet clear if Sen. Laphonza Butler, a former union leader who was appointed by Gov. Gavin Newson and sworn into the Senate following Feinstein’s death, plans to run as well.

On the Republican side, which includes Garvey, there’s attorney Eric Early, who unsuccessfully ran for attorney general in 2018 and 2022, as well as a few other contenders with no statewide name ID.

Name ID is not the biggest problem for Garvey — albeit, one of the first items on Garvey’s campaign to-do list is reintroducing himself, he said — and he’s drawing heavily on his baseball background in the race. His launch video juxtaposes coverage of his athletic career with his campaign message: “It’s time to get off the bench. It’s time to put the uniform on. It’s time to get back in the game,” he says in the spot.

Still, his entrance into the race begs the question: Can a Republican win in a California where Democrats hold every statewide office and dominate the legislative and congressional delegations? Could a baseball star running on the GOP ticket be successful in a state where Republicans, who are outnumbered about 2-to-1 by Democratic voters, have struggled for years to find candidates for top offices?

“If Garvey is going to duplicate his success, his chances get much better if he runs the same type of campaign that (former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger) did,” Dan Schnur, a former campaign consultant who teaches about political messaging at UC Berkeley and USC, has said.

“Part of what made (Schwarzenegger) different is that he was extremely well-known,” Schnur said. “The other thing that made him different was his ability to combine a conservative economic message with a more centrist approach on social issues.”

The most recent time a Republican was elected to the U.S. Senate was 1988 when Pete Wilson won re-election to what would be his final term before becoming California’s governor.

Garvey says he’s not running with the party label in mind. He plans to focus on consensus building — like rebuilding a team, he said. When pressed on what issues drive his campaign, he said it’s “quality of life” concerns like the economy, public safety and education.

“Yes, I’ve got an ‘R’ next to my name, but in order to run for all the people, people have to know I care about all of them,” Garvey said. “Somebody needs to bring people together.”

“Sure, I’ll be a rookie,” he said, “but I’d like to think I’ll be a well-prepared rookie who has had life experiences who can represent the people of California and the people of this country.”

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to remove a reference to Democrats’ performance in the past two U.S. Senate races for California. A Republican, Mark Meuser, faced Sen. Alex Padilla in the general election for the special election and regular one for the U.S. Senate in 2022.

In Norway, OC legislators study potential prison reform measures

Kaitlyn Schallhorn — Mon, 09 Oct 2023 14:00:06 +0000

Not too long after the California Legislature finished its 2023 session, a group of legislators went to prison in Norway — not for any nefarious deeds but instead to see if the country’s unique model offered any insight or tools that could be brought back to California.

Sen. Josh Newman and Assemblymember Sharon Quirk-Silva were part of the delegation that traveled to Norway last month — along with a handful of other legislators, formerly incarcerated people and corrections officers — to study its model for incarceration.

There, after an overhaul of the correctional system in the 1990s, the approach is focused more on rehabilitation, offering inmates training and education.

The idea is to reduce recidivism rates and help those incarcerated become better family members or neighbors once they are released.

“If we know that we are going to be incarcerating people at a much higher rate than we ever have in the last handful of decades,” said Quirk-Silva, “we know that people will get out, and with no rehabilitation, there is a strong likelihood of reoffending, going back in and the pattern repeating.”

“Is there a better way to do this? We certainly saw some examples of that,” she said.

It’s not unusual for legislators to embark on education trips, including overseas, during times when the legislature isn’t in session.

For this six-day excursion, they visited three prisons in Norway: Halden, a maximum security prison; Bastøy, a lower-security facility on Bastøy Island; and Indre Østfold Prison.

In Norway with #SmartJustice visited 2 prisons, so much to learn and see. Did you know Police Officers and Correctional Officers don’t carry guns? Also for an individual to get a gun, they must have training and a license. pic.twitter.com/RXlc9sUXJr

— Sharon Quirk-Silva (@quirk_silva) September 19, 2023

Something that stuck out to Quirk-Silva was the effort to instill a sense of normalcy.

Inmates must cook some of their own meals; they go to classes or work where they can earn money for those meals or other expenses. There are parenting classes and opportunities for children or families to spend time together, even overnight, in a supervised “family quarters” area.

“The idea is returning to the community as a better neighbor but also with a trade or a skill,” she said. “They really believe in that humanity — we’ve served our sentence for the crime we’ve committed, and now we’re going to go back to our communities and be productive.”

Newman said the Norway philosophy of “the courts are for punishment and prisons are for making better neighbors” begins almost immediately once someone is incarcerated. That contrasts with systems in California, where inmates have to work their way up to programs that promise job skills or education, he said.

“Our inmates in California are subjected to this culture that can be toxic and dangerous,” Newman said.

And Norway’s model, advocates say, also aids correctional officers as well.

Because of the trauma that California’s correctional officers face, they are more likely to struggle with depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and suicidal thoughts, a 2018 UC Berkeley study found.

In Norway, the relationship between inmates and those ensuring everything runs smoothly is different. As one “prison officer” told the BBC in 2019: “We make sure an inmate serves his sentence, but we also help that person become a better person. We are role models, coaches and mentors.”

Norway’s recidivism rate is reportedly around 25%. In California, with almost seven times the population, the recidivism rate is around 44.6%, according to a California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation report looking at data from 2017-2018.

“Due to its extremely low recidivism rates and its own recent history of reform, Norway’s prison system has emerged as the worldwide model for corrections best practices,” said Anne Irwin, the founder of Smart Justice California, a criminal justice reform group that hosted the trip along with UC San Francisco’s Amend Program.

So what’s next?

Both Quirk-Silva and Newman said they could see California changing its model in incremental steps.

“It’s totally worth thinking about if there is a better way to do this,” said Newman, adding that he sees opportunities for pilot programs that could model some of Norway’s approach.

Gov. Gavin Newsom last year vetoed a bill meant to enact a similar, albeit scaled-back model, for certain inmates who would be chosen to move to a different facility where they could cook and get job training. The governor axed the bill because of its fiscal impacts, he said.

Quirk-Silva said any legislative effort isn’t meant to be “light on crime.” Instead, she compared it to a school system: “We have to decide as educators, how do we want our students to graduate? What type of person do we want to graduate? What kind of inmate do we want to leave our system?”

Elvis Festival rocks Garden Grove

Kaitlyn Schallhorn — Mon, 09 Oct 2023 02:09:55 +0000

Elvis impersonator Steven Cardenaz, 17, of Riverside sings “I Was the One,” as Elvis fanTamela Gari swoons on stage during the 23rd annual Elvis Festival in Garden Grove on Sunday, October 8, 2023. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Elvis impersonator Martin Anthony performs during the 23rd annual Elvis Festival, an all-day tribute to the King of Rock and Rollin Garden Grove on Sunday, October 8, 2023. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Jill Lloyd wears her tribute sneakers during the 23rd annual Elvis Festival in Garden Grove on Sunday, October 8, 2023. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
“Little Elvis” Walter Schmidt, 8, performs during the 23rd annual Elvis Festival in Garden Grove on Sunday, October 8, 2023. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Mel Ruiz, or “Melvis” is recording as he performs,” Can’t Help Falling in Love,” during the 23rd annual Elvis Festival in Garden Grove on Sunday, October 8, 2023. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Elvis-themed earrings by Craftesanias by Mafer are on sale at the 23rd annual Elvis Festival in Garden Grove on Sunday, October 8, 2023. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Several Elvises are in the house during the 23rd annual Elvis Festival in Garden Grove on Sunday, October 8, 2023. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Elvis impersonator Payton Jordan, 11, checks out Dewey, a rescue puppy up for adoption at the 23rd annual Elvis Festival in Garden Grove on Sunday, October 8, 2023. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Elvis impersonator Kirk Wall opens the 23rd annual Elvis Festival in Garden Grove on Sunday, October 8, 2023. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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They sparkled, they smirked, they shook their hips. And they all looked a lot – or a little – like Elvis Presley.

Elvis impersonators and fans descended on Garden Grove Sunday for the 23rd annual Elvis Festival, paying homage to the king of rock and roll.

The festivities included live entertainment, vendors selling Elvis-themed accessories and a classic car show featuring Cadillacs, of course.

What does the future for California Republicans look like?

Kaitlyn Schallhorn — Thu, 05 Oct 2023 14:00:41 +0000

Just blocks away from theme parks that promise happiness, a fight was brewing among California Republicans.

The issue? Just what the future of the party should look like.

And now, without a California representative as Speaker of the House of Representatives, that future may just be a bit murkier.

California Republicans were propelled into the spotlight last week as the state played host to the party’s second presidential primary debate and, later in the week, a gathering that included former President Donald Trump, three other GOP presidential hopefuls and massive crowds.

They also drew national headlines as Republicans who gathered at the state convention in Anaheim were tasked with a choice: Keep the party platform as is or strip it of the party’s opposition to abortion and same-sex marriage?

The effort to change the platform, essentially a list of values for the California Republican Party, was wildly unsuccessful.

“We’ve got so much excitement in our party right now. We want to capitalize on that excitement and stay unified as a force going into the 2024 election,” said Fred Whitaker, chair of the Orange County Republican Party and one of the leaders of the effort to keep the party platform as is.

People for and against Donald Trump clash in the plaza at a Democratic Party of Orange County event in front of the Anaheim Marriott in Anaheim, CA on Friday, September 29,2023. Trump, along with other Republican candidates, were speaking at the California GOP convention at the hotel. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
People wave flags at a pro-Trump rally near the Anaheim Marriott in Anaheim, CA on Friday, September 29,2023. Trump, along with other Republican candidates, were speaking at the California GOP convention at the hotel. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
U.S. Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., speaks at the California Republican Party Convention, Friday, Sept. 29, 2023, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Vivek Ramaswamy, a 2024 Republican presidential candidate, speaks during a luncheon at the California Republican Party convention in Anaheim on Saturday, September 30, 2023. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, left, takes a photo with a supporter before he speaks at the CAGOP Fall Convention in Anaheim on Friday, September 29, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Donald Trump speaks to supporters during a luncheon at the California GOP Convention in Anaheim, CA, on Friday, Sept. 29, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Donald Trump speaks to supporters during a luncheon at the California GOP Convention in Anaheim, CA, on Friday, Sept. 29, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Donald Trump supporters wait to enter the California GOP Convention in Anaheim, CA, on Friday, Sept. 29, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Donald Trump supporters during the California GOP Convention in Anaheim, CA, on Friday, Sept. 29, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Donald Trump supporters during the California GOP Convention in Anaheim, CA, on Friday, Sept. 29, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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But just days later, another Republican kerfuffle culminated in Washington, D.C., as a small group of conservative lawmakers were able to oust Rep. Kevin McCarthy of Bakersfield from his speaker role, the first time in history that has been done.

And while it’s still early in the aftermath of that drama — and a new House speaker has not yet been chosen — the ejection of McCarthy may not bode well for California Republicans.

“McCarthy had given California Republicans an excuse to explain why they aren’t competitive statewide,” said Dan Schnur, who teaches political messaging at USC and UC Berkeley.

“They could always say they were focusing on national politics to achieve a House majority. But his departure leaves them with even less cover. Now they are simply a local and regional party here,” he said.

And California Republicans are losing someone with valuable insight into what it takes to get elected in the state, said Matt Shupe, a top Republican strategist in California.

“Republicans around the country quickly and easily discount California because it’s too liberal or too expensive, reasons like that,” Shupe said. “(It’s to) California Republicans’ benefit to have someone who is local and knows (the state) and has a vested interest in it and wants to do things to support it.”

And while the platform fracas most likely won’t impact the average California voter, it did underscore the question Republicans are facing: What is the future of the GOP in the Golden State?

For younger Republicans, it is a focus on social issues, said Will Donahue, president of the College Republicans.

“Our younger generation is more conservative than the older generation partly because of what we experience in our daily lives at universities,” said Donahue, a resident of Los Angeles County.

Abortion, in particular, is top of mind for younger conservatives, he said: “You would be hard-pressed to go into any of our (College Republicans) chapters and find a member that is pro-choice.”

The CAGOP platform — adopted in a 70-31 vote over the weekend by those at the convention in Anaheim — says “it is important to define marriage as a union between one man and one woman.”

Under a section titled “the right to life,” the CAGOP says it supports “laws that protect unborn children from partial birth, sex selection and taxpayer-funded abortions, and abortions performed as a form of birth control or on minor girls without their parents’ notification and consent.”

The section goes on to state CAGOP’s opposition to legalized assisted suicide or euthanasia and human cloning.

“Those are absolutely values that the younger Republicans are holding onto,” said Donahue, who is 24 years old.

“It’s a platform that unites the party,” said Whitaker, who also predicted that it could draw in more socially conservative groups that haven’t typically voted with Republicans, like Asian or Latino populations.

But Charles Moran, a Los Angeles native and president of the Log Cabin Republicans, which represents LGBTQ+ conservatives, said the California Republican Party is choosing “the past over the future.”

Sticking to the older party platform comes “at the expense of addressing homelessness, rampant fentanyl abuse, a strong commitment to parental rights and Soros-funded weak district attorneys who won’t prosecute crime,” said Moran, referring to the billionaire George Soros who has backed Democrats and liberal causes.

“This will hamstring California’s Republican Party as voters wonder what decade the party is focused on,” he said.

It’s time for the party to change, said Tom Hojjat Tamar, a Republican from San Diego who attended the convention.

“Let’s face it: We’ve been losing, and we’re getting our butt kicked,” said Tamar, an immigrant from Iran.

“The rhetoric is too much so you’re alienating a lot of people, and they don’t want to affiliate with us, and they end up going to the Democrats’ side and voting with them because we’re too aggressive,” he said. “We need to ‘pink up’ a little bit. We’re too red.”

Even without a consensus on the party’s platform, Republicans who attended the convention say they are optimistic about the state of California Republicans — particularly if the party focuses on issues like the economy and education.

“As time passes, and (California residents) feel less and less secure in their environments at work or in their homes or even their churches, they feel like their businesses can’t run or they can’t get jobs or their kids can’t afford to live in this state, that is going to push people toward the more conservative viewpoint,” said Christine La Marca of San Diego.

“And I think they’re going to be looking for alternatives to what the current leadership provides,” she said.

Traditional Moon Festival brings family fun to Fountain Valley

Kaitlyn Schallhorn — Tue, 03 Oct 2023 00:38:51 +0000

A centuries-old tradition was celebrated in Fountain Valley on Sunday as the annual Moon Festival brought revelers, lanterns and culture to Mile Square Park.

The popular event — also called the Mid-Autumn Festival or Tết Trung Thu in Vietnamese — celebrates harvest time, prosperity and family.

The Viet Cam Dance group performs at the Moon Festival celebration at Mile Square park on Sunday. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)
Supervisor Andrew Do gives thumbs up to the sound technicians at the Moon Festival celebration at Mile Square park on Sunday. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)
Dancers from the Viet Cam Dance perform at the Moon Festival celebration at Mile Square park on Sunday. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)
Francis Hong, 8, is surrounded by bubbles that were passed out to all the children at the Moon Festival celebration at Mile Square Park on Sunday. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)

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“The annual Moon Festival is a chance for families to come together and celebrate new beginnings and shared traditions,” said Supervisor Andrew Do, who represents the Little Saigon community.

The festival featured traditional moon cakes, live entertainment, lanterns, face painting and more fun for kids and families.

Southern California’s Senate candidates vow to work with Laphonza Butler

Kaitlyn Schallhorn — Mon, 02 Oct 2023 17:26:25 +0000

The two U.S. Senate candidates from Southern California had similar messages after the governor announced his pick of Democratic strategist Laphonza Butler to fill Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s seat.

“I want to offer my congratulations to Laphonza Butler on her appointment. I look forward to working closely with her to get things done for California,” said Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Burbank.

“As a labor leader, Laphonza Butler has spent her career standing up for women and working families. … I look forward to fighting for California with her,” said Rep. Katie Porter, D-Irvine.

Newsom announced his pick of Butler — an advisor to Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign and the leader of Emily’s List, a political organization that supports Democratic women who support abortion rights — Sunday evening. The longest-serving senator, Feinstein died on Thursday after a series of illnesses.

Newsom has been under pressure regarding who he would appoint to the seat. After pledging to appoint a Black woman should the seat become open, Newsom had been encouraged to pick Rep. Barbara Lee, a prominent Black woman who is already running for the seat.

“I wish (Butler) well and look forward to working closely with her to deliver for the Golden State. I am singularly focused on winning my campaign for Senate,” Lee said on the social media platform X, which was formerly called Twitter.

California, the Oakland representative said, “deserves an experienced senator who will deliver on progressive priorities. That’s exactly what I’m running to do.”

Schiff said he is “glad the governor acted quickly with his appointment.”

And Porter, in her statement, noted: “She will be the third Black woman to serve in the Senate and will also be California’s first lesbian senator at a time when LGBTQ+ Americans are increasingly under attack.”

Butler is expected to be sworn in on Tuesday by Harris, the vice president, according to the Governor’s Office.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Note: This story has been updated to reflect that Butler’s swearing-in has been moved to Tuesday.

Photos: Step inside the California GOP event that drew Trump, other candidates and large crowds

Kaitlyn Schallhorn — Sat, 30 Sep 2023 22:15:23 +0000

A sea of MAGA hats and Mickey Mouse ears mingled in the lobby of an Anaheim hotel as California Republicans flocked to see presidential candidates, including former President Donald Trump, over the weekend.

Trump drew the largest crowds — some 1,500 paid to see the former president speak for more than an hour Friday afternoon over lunch, with even more people relegated to an overflow area.

South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and tech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy also pitched their platforms to Republicans over the course of the weekend.

A supporter of Sen. Tim Scott takes a selfie with him following his speech at the CAGOP Fall Convention in Anaheim on Friday, September 29, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Donald Trump speaks about water usage and the Delta smelt fish to supporters during a luncheon at the California GOP Convention in Anaheim, CA, on Friday, Sept. 29, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Hundreds of Trump supporters gather near the entrance to the Anaheim Marriott at the intersection of Harbor Boulevard and Convention Way before Donald Trump speaks at the CAGOP Fall Convention in Anaheim on Friday, September 29, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A woman holds a pro-Trump poster as she passes a rally at Harbor Blvd. and Katella Ave. in Anaheim, CA on Friday, September 29,2023. Trump, along with other Republican candidates, were speaking at the California GOP convention at the Anaheim Marriott. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Donald Trump supporters during the California GOP Convention in Anaheim, CA, on Friday, Sept. 29, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Donald Trump supporters wait to enter the California GOP Convention in Anaheim, CA, on Friday, Sept. 29, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Donald Trump supporters during the California GOP Convention in Anaheim, CA, on Friday, Sept. 29, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Donald Trump pins the California GOP Convention in Anaheim, CA, on Friday, Sept. 29, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Mike Truong dons a ‘Trump is right” hat during the California GOP Convention in Anaheim, CA, on Friday, Sept. 29, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Mike Truong dons a ‘Trump is right” hat during the California GOP Convention in Anaheim, CA, on Friday, Sept. 29, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
People for and against Donald Trump clash in the plaza at a Democratic Party of Orange County event in front of the Anaheim Marriott in Anaheim, CA on Friday, September 29,2023. Trump, along with other Republican candidates, were speaking at the California GOP convention at the hotel. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Ada Briceno, Chair of the Democratic Party of Orange County, stands between her group and supporters of Donald Trump during a Democratic Party event in the plaza at the Anaheim Marriott in Anaheim, CA on Friday, September 29,2023. Trump, along with other Republican candidates, were speaking at the California GOP convention at the hotel. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A man supporting Donald Trump disrupts a Democratic Party of Orange County event in the plaza at the Anaheim Marriott in Anaheim, CA on Friday, September 29,2023. Trump, along with other Republican candidates, were speaking at the California GOP convention at the hotel. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Ada Briceno, Chair of the Democratic Party of Orange County, stands between two men for and against Donald Trump during a Democratic Party event in the plaza at the Anaheim Marriott in Anaheim, CA on Friday, September 29,2023. Trump, along with other Republican candidates, were speaking at the California GOP convention at the hotel. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
People for and against Donald Trump clash in the plaza at a Democratic Party of Orange County event in front of the Anaheim Marriott in Anaheim, CA on Friday, September 29,2023. Trump, along with other Republican candidates, were speaking at the California GOP convention at the hotel. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
People wave flags at a pro-Trump rally near the Anaheim Marriott in Anaheim, CA on Friday, September 29,2023. Trump, along with other Republican candidates, were speaking at the California GOP convention at the hotel. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
People wave flags at a pro-Trump rally near the Anaheim Marriott in Anaheim, CA on Friday, September 29,2023. Trump, along with other Republican candidates, were speaking at the California GOP convention at the hotel. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Tourists mix with pro-Trump demonstrators during a Trump rally at Harbor Blvd. and Katella Ave. in Anaheim, CA on Friday, September 29,2023. Trump, along with other Republican candidates, were speaking at the California GOP convention at the Anaheim Marriott. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Tourists mix with pro-Trump demonstrators during a Trump rally at Harbor Blvd. and Katella Ave. in Anaheim, CA on Friday, September 29,2023. Trump, along with other Republican candidates, were speaking at the California GOP convention at the Anaheim Marriott. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Trump supporters stand across from a Democratic Party of Orange County event outside the Anaheim Marriott hotel in Anaheim, CA on Friday, September 29,2023. Trump, along with other Republican candidates, were speaking at the California GOP convention at the hotel. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Donald Trump speaks to supporters during a luncheon at the California GOP Convention in Anaheim, CA, on Friday, Sept. 29, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Donald Trump speaks to supporters during a luncheon at the California GOP Convention in Anaheim, CA, on Friday, Sept. 29, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Hundreds of Trump supporters gather near the entrance to the Anaheim Marriott at the intersection of Harbor Boulevard and Convention Way before Donald Trump speaks at the CAGOP Fall Convention in Anaheim on Friday, September 29, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A woman carries a Trump flag to a pro-Trump rally near the Anaheim Marriott in Anaheim, CA on Friday, September 29,2023. Trump, along with other Republican candidates, were speaking at the California GOP convention at the hotel. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
People wave flags at a pro-Trump rally at Harbor Blvd. and Katella Ave. in Anaheim, CA on Friday, September 29,2023. Trump, along with other Republican candidates, were speaking at the California GOP convention at the Anaheim Marriott. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Donald Trump speaks to supporters during a luncheon at the California GOP Convention in Anaheim, CA, on Friday, Sept. 29, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Donald Trump speaks to supporters during a luncheon at the California GOP Convention in Anaheim, CA, on Friday, Sept. 29, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Donald Trump speaks to supporters during a luncheon at the California GOP Convention in Anaheim, CA, on Friday, Sept. 29, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Donald Trump speaks to supporters during a luncheon at the California GOP Convention in Anaheim, CA, on Friday, Sept. 29, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Donald Trump speaks to supporters during a luncheon at the California GOP Convention in Anaheim, CA, on Friday, Sept. 29, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Donald Trump speaks to supporters during a luncheon at the California GOP Convention in Anaheim, CA, on Friday, Sept. 29, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Donald Trump speaks to supporters during a luncheon at the California GOP Convention in Anaheim, CA, on Friday, Sept. 29, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Donald Trump speaks to supporters during a luncheon at the California GOP Convention in Anaheim, CA, on Friday, Sept. 29, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Donald Trump speaks to supporters during a luncheon at the California GOP Convention in Anaheim, CA, on Friday, Sept. 29, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Sen. Tim Scott and presidential candidate speaks at the CAGOP Fall Convention in Anaheim on Friday, September 29, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Donald Trump speaks to supporters during a luncheon at the California GOP Convention in Anaheim, CA, on Friday, Sept. 29, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Donald Trump speaks to supporters during a luncheon at the California GOP Convention in Anaheim, CA, on Friday, Sept. 29, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Sen. Tim Scott and presidential candidate speaks at the CAGOP Fall Convention in Anaheim on Friday, September 29, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Sen. Tim Scott and presidential candidate is joined on stage by Chairman of the California Republican Party, Jessica Millan Patterson at the CAGOP Fall Convention in Anaheim on Friday, September 29, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Sen. Tim Scott and presidential candidate speaks at the CAGOP Fall Convention in Anaheim on Friday, September 29, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Sen. Tim Scott and presidential candidate speaks at the CAGOP Fall Convention in Anaheim on Friday, September 29, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Sen. Tim Scott and presidential candidate speaks at the CAGOP Fall Convention in Anaheim on Friday, September 29, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Sen. Tim Scott and presidential candidate speaks at the CAGOP Fall Convention in Anaheim on Friday, September 29, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 29: Republican presidential candidate Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks at a campaign event at the Los Angeles Harbor Grain Terminal on September 29, 2023 in Long Beach, California. DeSantis is scheduled to speak at the California Republican Party Fall Convention in Anaheim, California later today. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Sen. Tim Scott and presidential candidate speaks at the CAGOP Fall Convention in Anaheim on Friday, September 29, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Sen. Tim Scott and presidential candidate is joined on stage by Chairman of the California Republican Party, Jessica Millan Patterson at the CAGOP Fall Convention in Anaheim on Friday, September 29, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Sen. Tim Scott and presidential candidate speaks at the CAGOP Fall Convention in Anaheim on Friday, September 29, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
U.S. Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., speaks at the California Republican Party Convention, Friday, Sept. 29, 2023, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 29: Republican presidential candidate Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks at a campaign event at the Los Angeles Harbor Grain Terminal on September 29, 2023 in Long Beach, California. DeSantis is scheduled to speak at the California Republican Party Fall Convention in Anaheim, California later today. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks at the CAGOP Fall Convention in Anaheim on Friday, September 29, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks at the CAGOP Fall Convention in Anaheim on Friday, September 29, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks at the CAGOP Fall Convention in Anaheim on Friday, September 29, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, left, takes a photo with a supporter before he speaks at the CAGOP Fall Convention in Anaheim on Friday, September 29, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis concludes his speech to a standing ovation at the CAGOP Fall Convention in Anaheim on Friday, September 29, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Vivek Ramaswamy, a 2024 Republican presidential candidate, speaks during a luncheon at the California Republican Party convention in Anaheim on Saturday, September 30, 2023. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Vivek Ramaswamy, a 2024 Republican presidential candidate, gives a thumbs-up to the crowd before speaking during a luncheon at the California Republican Party convention in Anaheim on Saturday, September 30, 2023. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Vivek Ramaswamy, a 2024 Republican presidential candidate, speaks during a luncheon at the California Republican Party convention in Anaheim on Saturday, September 30, 2023. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Vivek Ramaswamy, a 2024 Republican presidential candidate, speaks during a luncheon at the California Republican Party convention in Anaheim on Saturday, September 30, 2023. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Vivek Ramaswamy, a 2024 Republican presidential candidate, speaks during a luncheon at the California Republican Party convention in Anaheim on Saturday, September 30, 2023. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Vivek Ramaswamy, a 2024 Republican presidential candidate, speaks during a luncheon at the California Republican Party convention in Anaheim on Saturday, September 30, 2023. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Vivek Ramaswamy, a 2024 Republican presidential candidate, speaks during a luncheon at the California Republican Party convention in Anaheim on Saturday, September 30, 2023. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Vivek Ramaswamy, a 2024 Republican presidential candidate, answers questions from the media following a luncheon speech at the California Republican Party convention in Anaheim on Saturday, September 30, 2023. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Vivek Ramaswamy, a 2024 Republican presidential candidate, speaks during a luncheon at the California Republican Party convention in Anaheim on Saturday, September 30, 2023. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Vivek Ramaswamy, a 2024 Republican presidential candidate, speaks during a luncheon at the California Republican Party convention in Anaheim on Saturday, September 30, 2023. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Vivek Ramaswamy, a 2024 Republican presidential candidate, speaks during a luncheon at the California Republican Party convention in Anaheim on Saturday, September 30, 2023. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Vivek Ramaswamy, a 2024 Republican presidential candidate, speaks during a luncheon at the California Republican Party convention in Anaheim on Saturday, September 30, 2023. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Vivek Ramaswamy, a 2024 Republican presidential candidate, answers questions from the media following a luncheon speech at the California Republican Party convention in Anaheim on Saturday, September 30, 2023. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Vivek Ramaswamy, a 2024 Republican presidential candidate, speaks during a luncheon at the California Republican Party convention in Anaheim on Saturday, September 30, 2023. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Vivek Ramaswamy, a 2024 Republican presidential candidate, speaks during a luncheon at the California Republican Party convention in Anaheim on Saturday, September 30, 2023. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Vivek Ramaswamy, a 2024 Republican presidential candidate, speaks during a luncheon at the California Republican Party convention in Anaheim on Saturday, September 30, 2023. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Vivek Ramaswamy, a 2024 Republican presidential candidate, speaks during a luncheon at the California Republican Party convention in Anaheim on Saturday, September 30, 2023. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Vivek Ramaswamy, a 2024 Republican presidential candidate, waves to the crowd before speaking during a luncheon at the California Republican Party convention in Anaheim on Saturday, September 30, 2023. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Vivek Ramaswamy, a 2024 Republican presidential candidate, speaks during a luncheon at the California Republican Party convention in Anaheim on Saturday, September 30, 2023. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Vivek Ramaswamy, a 2024 Republican presidential candidate, answers questions from the media following a luncheon speech at the California Republican Party convention in Anaheim on Saturday, September 30, 2023. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Vivek Ramaswamy, a 2024 Republican presidential candidate, speaks during a luncheon at the California Republican Party convention in Anaheim on Saturday, September 30, 2023. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Vivek Ramaswamy, a 2024 Republican presidential candidate, answers questions from the media following a luncheon speech at the California Republican Party convention in Anaheim on Saturday, September 30, 2023. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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Meanwhile, throngs of Trump supporters Friday morning lined the intersections outside the Anaheim Marriott, home of the convention, many of them wearing red, white and blue and waving “Make America Great Again” flags.

As a counter to Trump’s Friday appearance in Anaheim, the Democratic parties of Orange, Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties had a Monopoly-inspired “Trump: Go Directly to Jail” rally of their own at the Anaheim Convention Center Grand Plaza. But that demonstration ended early, organizers said, because of safety reasons.

Catch up on coverage of the weekend here.

Gov. Ron DeSantis focuses on education and culture issues in speech to California Republicans

Hanna Kang, Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Kristy Hutchings — Sat, 30 Sep 2023 03:51:01 +0000

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis closed out the first day of the California Republican Party’s fall convention by contrasting what he sees as successes with his state versus the policies in California.

DeSantis, one of four Republican presidential hopefuls tapped to speak to Republicans in Anaheim this weekend, mostly stuck to cultural and public safety issues as he addressed about 400 attendees in a 30-minute address Friday night.

Speaking to an audience that looked noticeably different from Trump’s — less MAGA hats and more formal and cocktail attire appropriate for a dinner event — DeSantis cracked a joke about his proximity to the Disney theme parks.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, left, takes a photo with a supporter before he speaks at the CAGOP Fall Convention in Anaheim on Friday, September 29, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks at the CAGOP Fall Convention in Anaheim on Friday, September 29, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks at the CAGOP Fall Convention in Anaheim on Friday, September 29, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks at the CAGOP Fall Convention in Anaheim on Friday, September 29, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 29: Republican presidential candidate Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks at a campaign event at the Los Angeles Harbor Grain Terminal on September 29, 2023 in Long Beach, California. DeSantis is scheduled to speak at the California Republican Party Fall Convention in Anaheim, California later today. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 29: Republican presidential candidate Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks at a campaign event at the Los Angeles Harbor Grain Terminal on September 29, 2023 in Long Beach, California. DeSantis is scheduled to speak at the California Republican Party Fall Convention in Anaheim, California later today. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

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“I’m a little close to Disneyland — I didn’t know if they would let me come here,” he said, referring to the Disney-DeSantis political feud that started when he signed legislation last year that bans teachers from talking about sexual identification and gender identity in some elementary schools in Florida.

DeSantis drew the strongest applause and reactions — including from law enforcement who stood near the room’s entrances — when he touched on parental rights in education, an issue currently sensitive to many California parents as several local school districts debate policies like those that ban pride flags or would inform parents if their child may be transgender.

DeSantis said Florida parents have the right to know what is being taught to their children, attempting to draw a contrast between statewide education policies in his state and California.

“You as an adult can knock yourself out with adult material, but leave our kids alone,” DeSantis said.

Like Trump, DeSantis criticized California’s Democratic leaders — like Gov. Gavin Newsom and Vice President Kamala Harris, a former U.S. senator — and its policies. He contrasted what he described as negatives in California, like the economy and parental involvement with school curriculum, with positives in Florida.

“Our country is in a state of decline — economic decline, cultural decline, military decline,” said DeSantis. “The California model reflects more American decline.”

But Trump drew a much larger crowd earlier Friday with at least 1,500 people in the hotel ballroom where he spoke and still others in an overflow room.

More than 400 people attended DeSantis’ dinner speech — across the hall from where Trump was earlier in the day — where they dined on steak and salad. And that included his wife, Casey DeSantis.

DeSantis and Trump have often clashed on the campaign trail during the primary.

“I’m the one who turned Florida red,” Trump said.

DeSantis responded Friday night: “I understand that one of my residents was here earlier saying that he turned Florida red. … I just wish if he had turned Florida red that he wouldn’t have turned Georgia and Arizona blue.”

And earlier Wednesday, while at a campaign event at the Los Angeles Harbor Grain Terminal in Long Beach, DeSantis called out Trump for not being at the second Republican presidential primary debate, saying he is “missing in action” and should be on the stage.

Hundreds of Trump supporters gather near the entrance to the Anaheim Marriott at the intersection of Harbor Boulevard and Convention Way before Donald Trump speaks at the CAGOP Fall Convention in Anaheim on Friday, September 29, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Hundreds of Trump supporters gather near the entrance to the Anaheim Marriott at the intersection of Harbor Boulevard and Convention Way before Donald Trump speaks at the CAGOP Fall Convention in Anaheim on Friday, September 29, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
People wave flags at a pro-Trump rally at Harbor Blvd. and Katella Ave. in Anaheim, CA on Friday, September 29,2023. Trump, along with other Republican candidates, were speaking at the California GOP convention at the Anaheim Marriott. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Trump supporters stand across from a Democratic Party of Orange County event outside the Anaheim Marriott hotel in Anaheim, CA on Friday, September 29,2023. Trump, along with other Republican candidates, were speaking at the California GOP convention at the hotel. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Tourists mix with pro-Trump demonstrators during a Trump rally at Harbor Blvd. and Katella Ave. in Anaheim, CA on Friday, September 29,2023. Trump, along with other Republican candidates, were speaking at the California GOP convention at the Anaheim Marriott. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
People wave flags at a pro-Trump rally near the Anaheim Marriott in Anaheim, CA on Friday, September 29,2023. Trump, along with other Republican candidates, were speaking at the California GOP convention at the hotel. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
People wave flags at a pro-Trump rally near the Anaheim Marriott in Anaheim, CA on Friday, September 29,2023. Trump, along with other Republican candidates, were speaking at the California GOP convention at the hotel. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A woman holds a pro-Trump poster as she passes a rally at Harbor Blvd. and Katella Ave. in Anaheim, CA on Friday, September 29,2023. Trump, along with other Republican candidates, were speaking at the California GOP convention at the Anaheim Marriott. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Tourists mix with pro-Trump demonstrators during a Trump rally at Harbor Blvd. and Katella Ave. in Anaheim, CA on Friday, September 29,2023. Trump, along with other Republican candidates, were speaking at the California GOP convention at the Anaheim Marriott. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A man supporting Donald Trump disrupts a Democratic Party of Orange County event in the plaza at the Anaheim Marriott in Anaheim, CA on Friday, September 29,2023. Trump, along with other Republican candidates, were speaking at the California GOP convention at the hotel. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Ada Briceno, Chair of the Democratic Party of Orange County, stands between two men for and against Donald Trump during a Democratic Party event in the plaza at the Anaheim Marriott in Anaheim, CA on Friday, September 29,2023. Trump, along with other Republican candidates, were speaking at the California GOP convention at the hotel. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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DeSantis, while in Anaheim Friday night, touted his upcoming debate with Newsom in November. The red vs. blue state debate will be moderated by Fox News’ Sean Hannity and broadcast on his primetime show on Nov. 30.

Ahead of his speech, Orange County Republican Party Chairman Fred Whitaker gave the invocation, in which he said that California needs DeSantis’ message and that Florida is doing so much better than “our own state.”

Huntington Beach resident Charlotte Christiana, 91, attended the convention Friday and said she is supporting DeSantis because he is “pro-life,” touts “family values” and supports “closing the border.”

And Kevin McGary, chairman of the Frederick Douglass Foundation of California, said that while he will back Trump this cycle, DeSantis would make “an excellent choice for president at some point in time.”

“He’s an excellent, excellent Florida governor,” McGary said. “DeSantis 2028, I could certainly support.”

“It’ll take him a year, maybe two, before he actually has the capacity to look at what’s happening with the global issues, and we don’t have that time,” McGary added. “Trump is the guy, and he’s the only guy.”

DeSantis is polling far below Trump among California Republican likely voters, according to recent data from the Public Policy Institute of California. Of those surveyed, 48% said they would vote for Trump if the primary were held now, while 14% picked DeSantis.

On Friday morning, throngs of Trump supporters lined the intersections outside the Anaheim Marriott, home of the convention, many of them wearing red, white and blue and waving “Make America Great Again” flags.

But by the time DeSantis spoke, around 8 p.m., demonstrators had largely cleared out — and the governor noticed. “Where are the protesters,” he said.