County's First Japanese-American Supervisor Takes Office

The first Japanese-American elected to the Orange County Board of Supervisors was sworn in today, and the board scheduled a Jan. 27 special election to replace Janet Nguyen, who was elected to the state Senate.

Lisa Bartlett was sworn in to replace Supervisor Patricia Bates, representing what the newcomer calls the “fabulous” 5th District. Bates was elected to the state Senate last month.

After being sworn in, Bartlett, who was most recently Dana Point mayor and served on the tollway system’s Transportation Corridor Agency Board of Directors, stressed the importance of collaboration.

“We will find a way to work together, to collaborate,” Bartlett said.

Supervisor Todd Spitzer, who also serves on the tollway system’s oversight board, praised her “stewardship” and ability to collaborate as the agency refinanced outstanding debt this year.

“That was no small feat,” Spitzer said. “Those kinds of skills are immensely welcome here.”

Rhonda Reardon, a former Mission Viejo City Councilwoman who serves on the Transportation Corridor Agency’s board, also said Bartlett was eager to work with others.

Bartlett said she knows “I have some big shoes to fill,” citing Bates and other supervisors before them in the 5th District.

“I am honored to be elected to serve this great county and I’m also proud to stand before you today as the first Japanese-American elected to the Board of Supervisors,” Bartlett said.

Nguyen, who also won a seat in the state Legislature last month, will be replaced by the winner of the Jan. 27 special election. Candidates can begin filing today, and they only need 20 to 40 signatures to qualify, according to Orange County Registrar of Voters Neal Kelley.

The filing deadline is Dec. 15.

The last time the county had a special stand-alone election for supervisor was in 2007 when Nguyen was elected. Board Chairman Shawn Nelson won his post in a special election in 2010, but the race was consolidated with the June primary that year.

The top vote-getter in the Jan. 27 election will win the seat, Kelley said. There will be no runoff in the winner-take-all election.

The election for one office could cost about $300,000, but the county’s charter mandates that the election be held, Kelley said.

-City News Service